Booted and suited Audi’s smallest saloon returns
Business front and back
A frowny demeanour and big mouth it may have, but the A3’s angular face hides matrix LED headlights and active aero vents. Blocky new backside makes the saloon 15cm longer than the Sportback hatch.
Sharing the toys
The new A3 makes full use of VW Group powertrain tech, helping itself to the 148bhp, 1.5-litre petrol engine with cylinder-on-demand and mild-hybrid assistance, the latter providing around 37lb ft of e-boost.
Striking a balance
Audi offers two suspension set-ups and a new ‘central dynamic handling system’ (again, nicked from Mk8 Golf) that adapts much faster to road conditions and promises to improve the ride. S3 gets 306bhp.
Defying new convention
Latest MQB tech is all present (car-to-X connectivity, smartphone as a key, Alexa integration…) but the blocky dashboard layout uses physical buttons for the air-con and lighting, unlike VW, Skoda and Seat.
