Driving A Competent Premium Hatch
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If one were to ask us to describe the Audi A3 2.0 TDI in one sentence , you could say it’s a highly accomplished car with a solid driving experience well balanced between comfort and sportiness. It is indeed an engine producing performance and economy in generous quantities.
There are a pair of 2.0-litre common-rail injection engines offered in the A3, along with the stalwart 1.9-litre unit that perseveres with direct injection at the base of the diesel range. At 138bhp and 168bhp, the power outputs mirror those of the A3’s old 2.0-litre direct injection engines and the engines also retain the TDI moniker but rest assured that the differences are significant.
The 168bhp TDI engine in the A3 produces its maximum torque of 350Nm between 1,750rpm and 2,500rpm while the 138bhp option weight in a shade down with 320Nm through an identical rev band. Performance from 0-60mph is 8.9s in the less powerful car and a highly rapid 7.8s in the range-topper. Drive either engine back to back with the 1.9 TDI and their greater refinement is instantly apparent, as is the availability of acceleration through a greater span of the rev range. The A3’s petrol engines of similar output are quieter but the common-rail diesels really shouldn’t give cause for complaint.
The exterior of the latest A3 is stylish. The front wings and the grille are a little shapelier, the headlights are sharper-looking and the side repeaters are now incorporated into the door mirrors. The S line variant has a LED daytime running lights that ape the R8. The changes to the three-door car add 2.5cm to its length, while the five-door Sportback model’s dimensions remain unchanged.
The latest A3 ups the ante with more aluminium design elements, revised switchgear, a better quality instrument cluster and a rethink for the upholstery choices.
A3 customers choosing a 2.0-litre TDI engine can opt for the six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed dual clutch S-Tronic option. Go for the more powerful of the two engines and there’s also the possibility of quattro four-wheel-drive and both engines come in three-door or Sportback bodystyles.
The A3 is available in standard, SE, Sport or S-Line trim. Standard equipment includes electric windows, remote central locking, a CD stereo and electric door mirrors. Safety features run to twin front and curtain airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and five-point belts for all seats.
Many A3 buyers upgrade their cars to Sport and S line specifications, trim levels tweaked by the UK importers to include an upgraded sports suspension kit with modified spring and damper settings designed to improve ride comfort without compromising on agility.
All of the latest A3 models feature aerodynamic modifications and other tweaks to help the cars achieve better environmental performance and these help the 138bhp TDI model return 55mpg with 134g/km emissions.
The shift to common-rail diesel engines appears to have come off very nicely for Audi and its A3. The two 2.0-litre TDI common-rail units on offer are amongst the highlights of the range with their economy and performance characteristics.
The A3 remains a thoroughly competent premium hatch, they’ll find the build quality, design and engineering tough to fault.
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