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Audi A3 - driving report - short form
Keyword: MQB
MQB stands for “Modular Transverse Toolkit” and describes the new platform technology at Volkswagen and the group subsidiaries. The MQB is being used for the first time as a design basis for the new Audi A3 and will form the basis of development for over 30 models from the group construction kit from the Wolfsburg-based company and the pretty daughters. With the widespread use of the MQB construction kit, the group will be able to reduce unit costs and one-off expenses in the range of 20%.
Thus, the MQB forms the strategic key for the diverse number of models in the Group and the ability to produce niche and niche niche models in small quantities without having to calculate a loss. MQB stands for 20% more efficiency in the vehicle manufacturing of the group.
Keyword: Premium
Premium. The favorite buzzword of marketing experts and professional sellers when it comes to getting something high priced to the man (or woman) whose advantage or benefit is not immediately obvious.
Premium costs a little more because and this is the explanation: The product with this rating meets significantly higher quality requirements. In the automotive sector, the predicate: “Premium” for me, when a brand has completely fulfilled the factor of “feeling good”. Haptic feedback from the fingers and the olfactory influence of leather and special materials such as real wood, glass or ceramics in the interior are the quickest points to mention.
Premium, however, remains a soft term and should be underlined by examples and unique features of special quality.
Bodywork: "Athlete with good taste."
Thanks to the new MQB platform from the parent company, the compact car class from Ingolstadt and later also from Wolfsburg got a sportier basic design. Shorter overhangs and a longer wheelbase ensure straight lines with tension-loaded design tips. The tornado line - in principle a shoulder line that is hanging too low - spans the flat and extensive sheet metal shapes as a visible edge and lets the eye wander around the vehicle along a line.
Above the sill, a line of tension forms the waist and makes the lower part of the body, between the wheel arches, appear with power and sporty elegance as an expression of performance.
The sporty design is confirmed by the - for the first time at Audi - reduced vehicle weight within a generation change - minus 80 kilograms, which is a good start and the right step.
Powerhouse: “Achievement is not a sin!”
Audi is currently launching a manageable number of engines. It starts with an 122PS TFSI four-cylinder, the power end of the gasoline engines forms at the beginning of the 180PS 1.8 liter TFSI engine. For the diesel fraction, the selection currently ends with the 2.0 TDI with 150PS. Audi has already announced other versions. For example, the base will be an 1.2 TFSI petrol engine in the fall, and there will be a particularly fuel-efficient 1.6 liter TDI with 105PS for the diesel faction.
The 140PS strong 1.4 TFSI with cylinder deactivation should be really interesting for a large group of buyers. This engine is able, despite its smug power output of 140PS and the wide speed range - in defined speed ranges - to switch off 2 of its 4 cylinders and thus not only save internal friction, but also fuel.
Sports fans are even on the 180PS strong TFSI still on the track. Both with DSG and manual, the current 180PS TFSI engine is much more of a solid all-round engine than a sports engine. The sporty versions currently have plenty of space to develop. 230PS and more should be in the planning for the future.
Audi has given the new A3 an extensive revitalization of the standard drive concept with front-engine and front-wheel drive. Thanks to the possibility of dynamic setting options for steering, accelerator pedal and damping - you can find the driving fun you are looking for in the car with both a hat and Ray-Ban sunglasses. Gone are the days of the chunky front axle, which was too hard-tuned for sporty reasons. A great balance of sporty pleasure and relaxing comfort.
Lifestyle: "5-star premium, or is it just business as usual? "
He is the benchmark. In terms of driving dynamics, it may still be a little behind in terms of workmanship and choice of materials in the interior, the new Audi A3 is simply the benchmark, the hurdle of the hurdles, the upper end of the scale - the Audi A3 is not “a” premium More compact.
The new Audi A3 is THE premium compact in the Golf segment.
A basic model for the announced price of € 21.600 was unfortunately not available for test drives and the total price was not specified for any of the models - but, since Audi has already put the configurator online, I simply “configured” a little and am now safe: Even at Audi, the “real fun” with the premium compact will only start at € 30.000 and above.
But then right. The shown combinations of red S-Line models with black leather features make just as much desire for the premium entry, as the glacier white models with brown leather skin for the interior.
If driving a car is more than a necessary evil, then it should also be a lot of fun - right? If you want to buy more than “just a compact car” - you can buy a premium compact car. The Audi A3 is not just a part of it in terms of feel - it is number 1.
Feel? You are just bathing your hands in it.
Switches, modules, elements - your fingers feel soft leather, cold metal, sensitive plastic. Nothing rattles - everything clicks or locks, only with the subtle elegance of the upper class quality in the interior alone can the A3 inspire the occupants. You don't have to have driven a meter before.
The Audi has a simple answer to the question of what is “premium” with it: it prompts you to explore its interior with your eyes closed.
The Bill please:
€ 21.600 should be the entry with the 1.2 TFSI engine, which is not yet available. Anyone looking for premium compact models and found by the Audi A3 - should have left the low 20.000 class faster than the 1.8 liter TFSI wakes up from the standard start / stop system.
If the buyer is looking for the “premium” factor in his new compact model, no sales contract is likely to be signed below the € 30.000 limit. This is no different with other manufacturers in this class - to charge 70 € for the illuminated make-up mirror in the sun visors, however, shows that Ingolstadt is overconfident. (Only standard in the Ambiente equipment!)
The buyer will swallow it and have forgotten it until delivery.
Two sentences to:
..the design:
Shortened nose, longer wheelbase and, in addition, a tension-laden side line that, despite everything, does not appear overloaded. The new Audi A3 is not immediately recognized by many as new - what you can excuse with a progressive design could also be a lack of courage.
..the image:
The hats and suspenders have long disappeared at Audi. The only question left is whether a brand with the claim to the class benchmark, the entire width of the small car up to the luxury sedan can cover credibly, if the most important model in the end is only a Golf in elegant sheet metal dress.
.. the efficiency:
Less weight is one of the most important steps on the way to more fuel-efficient automobiles. At Audi, the body diet is supported by such clever engines as the new 1.4 TFSI with 140PS and cylinder deactivation.
..the 180PS TFSI engine:
The jump between the 140PS 1.4 TFSI with cylinder deactivation and the 180PS TFSI was not particularly big subjectively - the 1.8 TFSI seemed to be tied up and slowed down in its verve.
Conclusion: "Everything premium?"
Driving a new model over a distance of less than 200km can only be a first impression. In the case of the small Audi with the large radiator grille, it becomes clear after just a few hours: Here someone drives who is serious about his leadership claim to the premium compact car class. The manageable range of engines available at the start will not further affect customer enthusiasm for the new A3 - especially since an expansion of the engine range has already been announced.
In the interior, the Ingolstadt, which claims to be the premium benchmark, arrived at the destination. Driving dynamics remains air up. Currently too much air.
