Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI S-tronic Ambition (A) Review
15 Jul 2013|40,267 views
The third and latest generation A3 was launched last year at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in its three-door guise. While the previous two models were based on the Volkswagen Group A platform (which was shared among other several models like the Golf, TT and Touran), the latest A3, like the Volkswagen Golf, is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform.
Audi's distinctive and stylish LED daytime running lights is still the best in the business
This platform, in simpler terms, is basically the group's strategy for shared modular construction of its transverse, front-engined, front-wheel drive cars.
While the A3 is your three-door hatchback, the car is also available as a five-door - Sportback - and a four-door saloon (coming to Singapore by the end of this 2013), which will go head on with the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Exterior
The A3 Sportback may not cause many shocks and eyes to open widely with its styling, but it does score high points for looking smart and modern.
The seamless integration of Audi's single-frame grille provides a focal point that creates a continuous theme with the slimmer and sleeker headlamps that houses the ever-contemporary daytime running lights. As a result, the A3 Sportback is tauter, leaner and sharper than before - a feat that's accomplished without losing its identity.
This platform, in simpler terms, is basically the group's strategy for shared modular construction of its transverse, front-engined, front-wheel drive cars.
While the A3 is your three-door hatchback, the car is also available as a five-door - Sportback - and a four-door saloon (coming to Singapore by the end of this 2013), which will go head on with the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Exterior
The A3 Sportback may not cause many shocks and eyes to open widely with its styling, but it does score high points for looking smart and modern.
The seamless integration of Audi's single-frame grille provides a focal point that creates a continuous theme with the slimmer and sleeker headlamps that houses the ever-contemporary daytime running lights. As a result, the A3 Sportback is tauter, leaner and sharper than before - a feat that's accomplished without losing its identity.
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At 4,310mm long, 1,785mm wide and 1,425mm tall, the German hatch has grown in all directions with a bold and defined line under the window called the 'tornado line' (as Audi likes to call it) and rather profound wheel arches giving the car an extra dose of road presence.
It's not all just looks for the A3 Sportback. At 1,225kg, the car is now 90kg lighter than before, thanks to the aforementioned platform, which minimises the use of materials by introducing rationality across various platforms that share engine orientation. To put this into a clearer perspective, the BMW 1 Series Hatchback and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class weigh in at 1,385kg and 1,395kg respectively.
Of course, it's really not just its lightweight that puts the A3 Sportback ahead in its segment, but also its extreme versatility. This is a car you will want to be seen driving in, even if it's just a simple trip to the supermarket and back or a drive down Marina Golf Course for your serious golf game.
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Interior
The growth in size sees an extension of 58mm in its wheelbase. It's still not the best in its class, but there's marginally more knee and legroom for rear passengers now compared to the outgoing model.
At 380 litres, the boot space will see to your luggage and grocery bags
What's best in its segment, though, is its boot space. At 380 litres, the A3 Sportback is similar to the Golf's but boasts more capacity compared to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and BMW 1 Series, which merely have 341 litres and 360 litres respectively. Knock down the rear seats and the flat space of 1,220 litres will see to your furniture shopping needs at Ikea.
Despite space being one of the key factors in this hatchback segment, the most impressive element of the car remains to be its clean, clear and concise cabin layout. A lot of emphasis has been placed on getting the details right and it's more so than many other cars in this sector.
The growth in size sees an extension of 58mm in its wheelbase. It's still not the best in its class, but there's marginally more knee and legroom for rear passengers now compared to the outgoing model.
What's best in its segment, though, is its boot space. At 380 litres, the A3 Sportback is similar to the Golf's but boasts more capacity compared to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and BMW 1 Series, which merely have 341 litres and 360 litres respectively. Knock down the rear seats and the flat space of 1,220 litres will see to your furniture shopping needs at Ikea.
Despite space being one of the key factors in this hatchback segment, the most impressive element of the car remains to be its clean, clear and concise cabin layout. A lot of emphasis has been placed on getting the details right and it's more so than many other cars in this sector.
The circular aluminium-encased air-con vents, for example, bring a touch of sophistication and are logically 'engineered' and easy to use. Buttons and controls on the centre console, which is now cleaner looking and uncluttered thanks to the substitution of electronic park brake button (it was a handbrake lever before), are all well positioned.
Not to mention the added technological wizardry of having the 5.8-inch infotainment screen sprouting from the otherwise clean dashboard reminds you just how much thought was put into the cabin layout. In short, the car's ergonomic efficiency is something of a landmark.
Ergonomically sound, the cabin of the A3 Sportback is a nice place to be in
Not to mention the added technological wizardry of having the 5.8-inch infotainment screen sprouting from the otherwise clean dashboard reminds you just how much thought was put into the cabin layout. In short, the car's ergonomic efficiency is something of a landmark.
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Drivetrain
On the go, the A3 Sportback is very undemanding. It leaves you with a personal satisfying impression every time you get in, start the engine and leave the lot. While many have come to expect the car to do wonders, it actually doesn't. That's the wonder of the hatchback.
More importantly, unlike the Golf where almost anyone can drive, the A3 Sportback has a closer relation to the driver, where both man and machine are suave and sophisticated.
1.4-litre engine is frugal and fun - capable of producing a maximum output of 122bhp
And it continues to have these traits even when on the go. Mated to an automatic seven-speed S-tronic gearbox, the 1.4-litre four-pot powerplant will send the hatch to the 100km/h finishing line in 9.3 seconds, a second slower than the Mercedes-Benz A200. That's not to say it's lacking punch because the 200Nm of torque makes short work of gaps in traffic and overtaking.
But if you continue to think this figure isn't impressive, you've got another thing coming with the ridiculously economical fuel consumption. We managed an astounding 17.6km/L with heavy right foot driving - a figure that isn't far off from the claimed 18.1km/L. In that sense, we truly enjoyed the car without worrying about whether we needed to visit the pumps before we returned the car.
Around bends, the car doesn't disappoint, too. It obeys to your every calling and responds to every tug of your wrist with precision and stability as you trace arcs.
On the go, the A3 Sportback is very undemanding. It leaves you with a personal satisfying impression every time you get in, start the engine and leave the lot. While many have come to expect the car to do wonders, it actually doesn't. That's the wonder of the hatchback.
More importantly, unlike the Golf where almost anyone can drive, the A3 Sportback has a closer relation to the driver, where both man and machine are suave and sophisticated.
And it continues to have these traits even when on the go. Mated to an automatic seven-speed S-tronic gearbox, the 1.4-litre four-pot powerplant will send the hatch to the 100km/h finishing line in 9.3 seconds, a second slower than the Mercedes-Benz A200. That's not to say it's lacking punch because the 200Nm of torque makes short work of gaps in traffic and overtaking.
But if you continue to think this figure isn't impressive, you've got another thing coming with the ridiculously economical fuel consumption. We managed an astounding 17.6km/L with heavy right foot driving - a figure that isn't far off from the claimed 18.1km/L. In that sense, we truly enjoyed the car without worrying about whether we needed to visit the pumps before we returned the car.
Around bends, the car doesn't disappoint, too. It obeys to your every calling and responds to every tug of your wrist with precision and stability as you trace arcs.
It's so easy to slice through traffic and change direction that the confidence it instils you with is amazing. Push it extremely hard around tighter corners and you'll get a tinge of understeer, coupled with flashes from the instrument panel to tell you the nannies are kicking in.
While both Comfort and Dynamic modes don't have the most immediate response, the latter is obviously more suitable for hard driving, especially if you're looking for aggressive action.
The only fault we have with the car isn't so much of it being stiff (and it is quite bloody stiff but we like it that way). Instead, it's the lack of feel from the steering. We don't expect it to behave like a thoroughbred sports hatch, but the steering, although well weighted, could do with more life.
The A3 Sportback isn't just about the design and drivetrain, it's the attention to detail that gives the car a character - much like the air-con vents
Conclusion
It's clear that Audi has gone to certain extent to produce a car that, by a modest margin, is one of the best in its class.
It's not just about looks, quality of the cabin and the way it drives. It's a whole package and that includes the emotional factor and the car's character too.
For that, this car hasn't failed.
While both Comfort and Dynamic modes don't have the most immediate response, the latter is obviously more suitable for hard driving, especially if you're looking for aggressive action.
The only fault we have with the car isn't so much of it being stiff (and it is quite bloody stiff but we like it that way). Instead, it's the lack of feel from the steering. We don't expect it to behave like a thoroughbred sports hatch, but the steering, although well weighted, could do with more life.
Conclusion
It's clear that Audi has gone to certain extent to produce a car that, by a modest margin, is one of the best in its class.
It's not just about looks, quality of the cabin and the way it drives. It's a whole package and that includes the emotional factor and the car's character too.
For that, this car hasn't failed.
The third and latest generation A3 was launched last year at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in its three-door guise. While the previous two models were based on the Volkswagen Group A platform (which was shared among other several models like the Golf, TT and Touran), the latest A3, like the Volkswagen Golf, is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform.
This platform, in simpler terms, is basically the group's strategy for shared modular construction of its transverse, front-engined, front-wheel drive cars.
While the A3 is your three-door hatchback, the car is also available as a five-door - Sportback - and a four-door saloon (coming to Singapore by the end of this 2013), which will go head on with the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Exterior
The A3 Sportback may not cause many shocks and eyes to open widely with its styling, but it does score high points for looking smart and modern.
The seamless integration of Audi's single-frame grille provides a focal point that creates a continuous theme with the slimmer and sleeker headlamps that houses the ever-contemporary daytime running lights. As a result, the A3 Sportback is tauter, leaner and sharper than before - a feat that's accomplished without losing its identity.
This platform, in simpler terms, is basically the group's strategy for shared modular construction of its transverse, front-engined, front-wheel drive cars.
While the A3 is your three-door hatchback, the car is also available as a five-door - Sportback - and a four-door saloon (coming to Singapore by the end of this 2013), which will go head on with the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Exterior
The A3 Sportback may not cause many shocks and eyes to open widely with its styling, but it does score high points for looking smart and modern.
The seamless integration of Audi's single-frame grille provides a focal point that creates a continuous theme with the slimmer and sleeker headlamps that houses the ever-contemporary daytime running lights. As a result, the A3 Sportback is tauter, leaner and sharper than before - a feat that's accomplished without losing its identity.
At 4,310mm long, 1,785mm wide and 1,425mm tall, the German hatch has grown in all directions with a bold and defined line under the window called the 'tornado line' (as Audi likes to call it) and rather profound wheel arches giving the car an extra dose of road presence.
It's not all just looks for the A3 Sportback. At 1,225kg, the car is now 90kg lighter than before, thanks to the aforementioned platform, which minimises the use of materials by introducing rationality across various platforms that share engine orientation. To put this into a clearer perspective, the BMW 1 Series Hatchback and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class weigh in at 1,385kg and 1,395kg respectively.
Of course, it's really not just its lightweight that puts the A3 Sportback ahead in its segment, but also its extreme versatility. This is a car you will want to be seen driving in, even if it's just a simple trip to the supermarket and back or a drive down Marina Golf Course for your serious golf game.
It's not all just looks for the A3 Sportback. At 1,225kg, the car is now 90kg lighter than before, thanks to the aforementioned platform, which minimises the use of materials by introducing rationality across various platforms that share engine orientation. To put this into a clearer perspective, the BMW 1 Series Hatchback and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class weigh in at 1,385kg and 1,395kg respectively.
Of course, it's really not just its lightweight that puts the A3 Sportback ahead in its segment, but also its extreme versatility. This is a car you will want to be seen driving in, even if it's just a simple trip to the supermarket and back or a drive down Marina Golf Course for your serious golf game.
Interior
The growth in size sees an extension of 58mm in its wheelbase. It's still not the best in its class, but there's marginally more knee and legroom for rear passengers now compared to the outgoing model.
What's best in its segment, though, is its boot space. At 380 litres, the A3 Sportback is similar to the Golf's but boasts more capacity compared to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and BMW 1 Series, which merely have 341 litres and 360 litres respectively. Knock down the rear seats and the flat space of 1,220 litres will see to your furniture shopping needs at Ikea.
Despite space being one of the key factors in this hatchback segment, the most impressive element of the car remains to be its clean, clear and concise cabin layout. A lot of emphasis has been placed on getting the details right and it's more so than many other cars in this sector.
The growth in size sees an extension of 58mm in its wheelbase. It's still not the best in its class, but there's marginally more knee and legroom for rear passengers now compared to the outgoing model.
What's best in its segment, though, is its boot space. At 380 litres, the A3 Sportback is similar to the Golf's but boasts more capacity compared to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and BMW 1 Series, which merely have 341 litres and 360 litres respectively. Knock down the rear seats and the flat space of 1,220 litres will see to your furniture shopping needs at Ikea.
Despite space being one of the key factors in this hatchback segment, the most impressive element of the car remains to be its clean, clear and concise cabin layout. A lot of emphasis has been placed on getting the details right and it's more so than many other cars in this sector.
The circular aluminium-encased air-con vents, for example, bring a touch of sophistication and are logically 'engineered' and easy to use. Buttons and controls on the centre console, which is now cleaner looking and uncluttered thanks to the substitution of electronic park brake button (it was a handbrake lever before), are all well positioned.
Not to mention the added technological wizardry of having the 5.8-inch infotainment screen sprouting from the otherwise clean dashboard reminds you just how much thought was put into the cabin layout. In short, the car's ergonomic efficiency is something of a landmark.
Not to mention the added technological wizardry of having the 5.8-inch infotainment screen sprouting from the otherwise clean dashboard reminds you just how much thought was put into the cabin layout. In short, the car's ergonomic efficiency is something of a landmark.
Drivetrain
On the go, the A3 Sportback is very undemanding. It leaves you with a personal satisfying impression every time you get in, start the engine and leave the lot. While many have come to expect the car to do wonders, it actually doesn't. That's the wonder of the hatchback.
More importantly, unlike the Golf where almost anyone can drive, the A3 Sportback has a closer relation to the driver, where both man and machine are suave and sophisticated.
And it continues to have these traits even when on the go. Mated to an automatic seven-speed S-tronic gearbox, the 1.4-litre four-pot powerplant will send the hatch to the 100km/h finishing line in 9.3 seconds, a second slower than the Mercedes-Benz A200. That's not to say it's lacking punch because the 200Nm of torque makes short work of gaps in traffic and overtaking.
But if you continue to think this figure isn't impressive, you've got another thing coming with the ridiculously economical fuel consumption. We managed an astounding 17.6km/L with heavy right foot driving - a figure that isn't far off from the claimed 18.1km/L. In that sense, we truly enjoyed the car without worrying about whether we needed to visit the pumps before we returned the car.
Around bends, the car doesn't disappoint, too. It obeys to your every calling and responds to every tug of your wrist with precision and stability as you trace arcs.
On the go, the A3 Sportback is very undemanding. It leaves you with a personal satisfying impression every time you get in, start the engine and leave the lot. While many have come to expect the car to do wonders, it actually doesn't. That's the wonder of the hatchback.
More importantly, unlike the Golf where almost anyone can drive, the A3 Sportback has a closer relation to the driver, where both man and machine are suave and sophisticated.
And it continues to have these traits even when on the go. Mated to an automatic seven-speed S-tronic gearbox, the 1.4-litre four-pot powerplant will send the hatch to the 100km/h finishing line in 9.3 seconds, a second slower than the Mercedes-Benz A200. That's not to say it's lacking punch because the 200Nm of torque makes short work of gaps in traffic and overtaking.
But if you continue to think this figure isn't impressive, you've got another thing coming with the ridiculously economical fuel consumption. We managed an astounding 17.6km/L with heavy right foot driving - a figure that isn't far off from the claimed 18.1km/L. In that sense, we truly enjoyed the car without worrying about whether we needed to visit the pumps before we returned the car.
Around bends, the car doesn't disappoint, too. It obeys to your every calling and responds to every tug of your wrist with precision and stability as you trace arcs.
It's so easy to slice through traffic and change direction that the confidence it instils you with is amazing. Push it extremely hard around tighter corners and you'll get a tinge of understeer, coupled with flashes from the instrument panel to tell you the nannies are kicking in.
While both Comfort and Dynamic modes don't have the most immediate response, the latter is obviously more suitable for hard driving, especially if you're looking for aggressive action.
The only fault we have with the car isn't so much of it being stiff (and it is quite bloody stiff but we like it that way). Instead, it's the lack of feel from the steering. We don't expect it to behave like a thoroughbred sports hatch, but the steering, although well weighted, could do with more life.
Conclusion
It's clear that Audi has gone to certain extent to produce a car that, by a modest margin, is one of the best in its class.
It's not just about looks, quality of the cabin and the way it drives. It's a whole package and that includes the emotional factor and the car's character too.
For that, this car hasn't failed.
While both Comfort and Dynamic modes don't have the most immediate response, the latter is obviously more suitable for hard driving, especially if you're looking for aggressive action.
The only fault we have with the car isn't so much of it being stiff (and it is quite bloody stiff but we like it that way). Instead, it's the lack of feel from the steering. We don't expect it to behave like a thoroughbred sports hatch, but the steering, although well weighted, could do with more life.
Conclusion
It's clear that Audi has gone to certain extent to produce a car that, by a modest margin, is one of the best in its class.
It's not just about looks, quality of the cabin and the way it drives. It's a whole package and that includes the emotional factor and the car's character too.
For that, this car hasn't failed.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
Also read our comparison article on:
Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 (A) vs Peugeot 308 1.2 (A) vs Volvo V40 T2 (A)
Car Information
Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI S tronic Ambition (A)
CAT A|Petrol|20km/L
Horsepower
92kW (123 bhp)
Torque
200 Nm
Acceleration
9.3sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Audi A3 Sportback
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