2017 Audi A3 Facelift Review
Car Tested: 2017 Audi A3; Road Test No. 793 Test Location: Vishakhapatnam
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 36-48 lakhs (est.)
The A3 is a driver’s car, it feels punchy and chuckable and is the most affordable Audi
Until 2014, the A4 used to be Audi’s entry-level sedan offering in India and no doubt it was one of the highest selling cars in that price bracket. However, the automaker then went on to launch the A3 which is slotted below the A4. The A3 has been available in sedan as well as Cabriolet body styles. Audi has now come up with a mid-life facelift for the A3 and we have a go in the sedan in the picturesque city of Vishakhapatnam.
Motor Quest: The Audi A3 has been selling in the international markets since long. The current generation made a global debut in 2013 and it was launched in India in 2014.
The exteriors now look bolder with the new styling elements
Exteriors – The changes are apparent on the outside. You get a redesigned set of bumpers and this time the car looks sportier than before. Apart from that, the headlamps get a new shape too along with LED DRLs, somewhat similar to what comes on the new A4. Moving to the side, there are hardly any changes except the new 16-inch alloy wheels while at the rear, you get a tweaked look thanks to the revised tail lamps and of course the bumper which gets a larger diffuser. All in all, the A3 still has quite a pleasing design.
The interiors are loaded with gadgetry
Interiors – Just like the exteriors, changes to the insides are also minimal. The dashboard has the same layout as before which is extremely ergonomic as well as functional. The new 3-spoke steering wheel has a sporty design but misses out on paddle shifters. There are changes to the MMI infotainment system and this time around it packs in better functionality. The Milano leather seats are comfy as ever and cushioning is nicely done. Space at the rear is decent, though not that great but should suffice for most users. The A3 is mainly a car that’s meant to be driven and not chauffeured around in. You get other features like panoramic sunroof, Audi Phone Box and Audi Parking System Plus too.
The 1.4-litre TSI engine has replaced the 1.8-litre TSI
Performance – The pre-facelift Audi A3 was available with two engines – 1.8-litre TFSI petrol and 2.0-litre TDI diesel. Talking about the petrol engine first, the Volkswagen Group is doing away with the 1.8-litre unit globally and it is being replaced by the 1.4-litre TSI unit. Since the new A4 gets the smaller engine, the A3 was also bound to get it. The mill produces 150 HP of power between 5000-6000 RPM and 250 Nm of torque between 1500-3500 RPM. 0-100 km/hr comes up in 8.2 seconds and it is pretty frugal with a claimed mileage of 19.2 km/l while top speed is 224 km/hr.
The petrol engine is smooth & has good fuel efficiency
Whether you pick the petrol or diesel, you get very good performance
This is one of the most refined petrol engines we’ve seen and makes the car a hoot to drive. There is a mild turbo lag and post that the car accelerates quickly. While you do not really get a push-in-the-seat feeling, performance is quite sufficient. The engine also loves to be revved all the way to 6000 RPM where all the action is. In real world conditions, expect a fuel efficiency of 11-12 km/l which isn’t bad at all for a car of this segment.
The TDI diesel mill is a strong performer in the A3
Moving to the oil-burner, the 2.0-litre engine is something that we’ve seen in almost a dozen cars in India and each time we’ve come out impressed by it. Producing 143 HP between 3500-4000 RPM and 320 Nm between 1750-3000 RPM, it is quick enough to accelerate to 100 km/hr in 8.7 seconds. Turbo lag is negated cleverly, the mid-range is powerful and the power delivery feels addictive. This engine too is pretty efficient, churning out 13-14 km/l in the real world while the claimed figure is 20.38 km/l. While the petrol engine gets a 7-speed gearbox, the oil-burner gets a 6-speed box and both of them are super quick and smooth with shifts.
The Audi A3 feels nice to drive; suspension is tuned well
Driving Dynamics – The Audi A3 has brilliant dynamics. The chassis is very capable and feels composed during aggressive driving. The A3 is a fun handler and with the predictable handling, I really liked pushing it around the corners. The steering is light and I would have preferred a bit more feedback. However, we drove mostly on smooth tarmac. The suspension also has a fine set-up and it soaks up bad surfaces easily. The ride remains composed all the time. Braking is again quite good on the A3 with the pedal having good bite.
For an entry-level German sedan, the A3 is a strong contender
Verdict – The Audi A3 is a good buy if you’re a small family or just a couple and want a premium car that’s fun to drive and has decent space. The sedan is now loaded with a lot more technology and there doesn’t seem to be anything that could be flawed in the vehicle. The Audi A3, with this update, gets some much-needed additions and changes and is quite nice as a package while it also gets you a lot of snob value with the four-ringed badge.
The A3 provides a blend of fun and practicality
What’s Cool
* Styling changes make the car look up-to-date
* Lots of features in the cabin
* Both the engines offer good performance and efficiency
* Extremely fun to drive
What’s Not So Cool
* Equipment like push-button start is missing
Alternatives: Mercedes CLA
The Audi A3 competes with the Mercedes CLA
Further Reading –
Audi A3 Review
Audi A3 Cabriolet Review
Audi A3 vs Mercedes CLA