For the first time in its history, Audi has outsold BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the first quarter of this year in Europe and a significant portion of those sales can be attributed to the new Audi A3 Sportback, which was launched in South Africa at the beginning of July.
The A3 Sportback enters the premium compact class with coupé-like elegance, the versatility of a five-door vehicle and the appeal of a sporty hatchback.
The Sportback was designed for the person who would need ample space for a family combined with the performance and agility of a capable hatch.
It features the new single-frame grille, which can also be found on the newly launched A4, optional 17inch alloy wheels and triangular side windows at the back, which enhance the sloping roof that leads down to the redesigned tail.
The length of the A3 Sportback has been increased by 83mm, though the wheelbase remains the same as the three-door A3. Of course, this enhances the space for rear passengers who no longer have to sit with their knees up against the front seats. The boot has a capacity of 370litres which is increased to 1 120litres with the rear seat folded down.
The entire A3 Sportback range features a six-speed gearbox with the option of a tiptronic gearbox on the 110kW 2,0litre FSI. The wonderfully sporty and amazingly responsive direct shift gearbox (DSG) is available on the 147kW 2,0litre T FSI, the 103kW 2,0litre TDI and the range-topping 184kW 3,2litre V6 quattro.
Audi, which is celebrating 25 years of its class-leading, all-wheel drive quattro system, launched the A3 Sportback in Franschoek and gave us the perfect opportunity to put the 3,2litre quattro through its paces on the twisty bits in Franschoek Pass.
I have never driven through this rather challenging pass before, so I was more than happy to have this all-wheel drive system go the extra mile in keeping all the wheels on the road. With oodles of power and 320Nm of torque, it was difficult not to drive the 3,2litre faster than normal as the car has an infectious, yet confident eagerness about it. This V6 reaches an electronically governed top speed of 250kph and Audi claims it can do 0-100kph in 6,3 seconds.
With a McPherson front axle with triangular wishbones and a four-link rear axle, the Sportback’s suspension makes for easy cornering and an impressively comfortable ride for a hatchback.
The interior has somewhat of a sports car style to it with rounded air vents and a neatly packaged instrument cluster complemented by the sort of high build quality synonymous with the Audi brand.
Standard features across the range include sports seats at the front, dual zone climate control air- conditioning, electro-mechanical power steering, anti-skid regulation (ASR) traction control, electric windows, central locking, front seats with active head restraints and four airbags. The 2,0litre T FSI and 3,2litre V6 quattro come standard with two additional sideguard airbags, electronic stability programme (ESP), leather upholstery, sports suspension and 17inch wheels.
The extensive optional extras list includes cruise control, xenon headlights, heated seats and a large-area glazed glass roof, which has been developed specifically for the Sportback, and stretches from the windscreen to the rear window.
The overall styling and design of the car is exceptional and extremely appealing.
Audi has achieved exactly what it set out to do and has produced a very strong contender in this class. The Sportback was positioned primarily to take on BMW’s 1-Series and considering the number and variety of petrol and diesel engines in the range and the technology on offer, one can only describe its intentions as an aggressive onslaught that cannot be ignored.
Prices range from R219 500 for the 2,0litre FSI to R242 000 for the 2,0litre TDI and R340 500 for the phenomenal 3,2 V6 quattro DSG.