Audi A3 Black Edition Car Review

Black is sweet

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Many car buyers like driving black vehicles. It has this special aura that makes you look exclusive. The Audi A3 Black edition is no different, but it brings with it some stylish features and quality that gives the car a fine balance.

Audi A3 Black Edition has a choice of four engine options. Petrol buyers can select from a pair of turbocharged four-cylinder units, the 158bhp 1.8 TFSI and the 2.0-litre TFSI with its 198bhp output. Both make the A3 a properly quick car with an 8s 0-60mph performance time for the 1.8 and 7s attainable in the 2.0-litre. Both units may use turbos but the power delivery is smooth and progressive with fast throttle response throughout the rev range.

The A3 strikes a fine balance between eagerness and comfort.

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 LED daytime running lights .

The latest A3 ups the ante with revised switchgear, a better quality instrument cluster and a rethink for the upholstery choices. Quattro four wheel drive is of course offered on certain variants.

The A3 Black Edition is based on the sporty S-Line model but comes with a generous haul of extra equipment. For that, they get the de-chromed front grille, special dark Titanium finish alloy wheels, privacy glass and Piano Black interior inlays but also a high quality BOSE stereo system, rear parking sensors and a special flat-bottomed steering wheel. An A3 Cabriolet Black Edition model is also available.

The Black Edition A3 comes in black as standard but other colour options are available for the exterior paint work. You might think that this defeats the object of the Black Edition line but with Ibis White available at no extra cost and Phantom Black, Misano Red and Monza Silver metallic colours as cost options, Audi is making certain that there’s a Black Edition for everyone - even those who can’t abide black cars.

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 petrol options do less well, peppering the 40mpg mark with their combined economy and emitting around 160g/km of CO2.

Audi has fashioned the Black Edition versions of its A3 to tempt those who are looking at models from the higher end of the premium hatchback market. Fitting the A3’s best engines and supplementing the sporty S Line trim level with some desirable extras, the manufacturer has come up with a package that shows the car in a very favourable light. The A3 remains a highly desirable proposition with a wide range of talents and the Black Edition can only raise its profile.

The car has quality, great performance and neat extras The de-chromed grille, dark titanium alloys and privacy glass gives it a special look. Upgraded BOSE stereo and parking sensors will keep your ears entertained. The car is for keeps, no doubt.