A3/S3/RS3 [Official] 2014 Audi A3/S3 Sedan
- Thread starter JHF
- Start date
The Audi A3 is a small family car (C-segment) manufactured and marketed by Audi AG since September 1996. The first two generations of the Audi A3 were based on the Volkswagen Group A platform, while the third and fourth generations use the Volkswagen Group MQB platform.
Tumbo
RPM Ruler
Audi A4 B5
Length: 448,8 cm
Height: 141,5 cm
Width: 173,3 cm
Audi A3/S3 Sedan
Length: 445,6 cm
Height: 141,6 cm
Width: 179,6 cm
That is insane!! It's basically EXACTLY the size of an A4 B5
And also to compare with the current A4:
Audi A4/S4 B8 Limo
Length: 470,1 cm
Height: 142,7 cm
Width: 182,6 cm
hoffmeister_fan
Kraftwagen König
Had I the means, I'd seriously consider this and the upcoming 2-series.
Audi A4 B5
Length: 448,8 cm
Height: 141,5 cm
Width: 173,3 cm
Audi A3/S3 Sedan
Length: 445,6 cm
Height: 141,6 cm
Width: 179,6 cm
That is insane!! It's basically EXACTLY the size of an A4 B5
But it is actually lighter and more powerful too...
B5 A4 1.8T Quattro - 170hp - 3,241 lbs.
B5 S4 - 250hp - 3,704 lbs.
8V A3 2.0T Quattro - 200hp - Est. 3,050 lbs.
8V S3 - 300hp - Est. 3,250 lbs.
Yes, those are US-Spec models. 2001 in particular was what I used. 170hp 1.8T and 250hp TT V6.
Tumbo
RPM Ruler
Audi A3 Sedan, S3 & S3 Sportback Now Live on Audi.de Configurator Tool
Audi’s new model rollout continues and as such the brand’s German market website Audi.de has updated its configurator tool. The S3 3-door, S3 Sportback and A3 sedan have now gone live. Though German market and thus German language only, the updated configurator will allow you to explore the various option packages for these cars.
Visit the Audi.de configurator HERE.
Visit the Audi.de configurator HERE.
sunnyman12
Precision Pilot
So, scaling = designing for Audi?
JHF
Driving Dynamics Pro
2015 Audi A3 Sedan
(2.0L 4-cyl. Turbo 6-speed Manual)
The launch of the 2015 Audi A3 highlighted a problem for the up-and-coming German brand. Out on the street, it's hard to tell its various sedans apart. Distinguishing among an A6, an A4 and the A3 we were driving takes more than a passing interest in design. It takes an unhealthy obsession with details.
To his credit, the A3's Canadian designer Dany Garand, acknowledges the problem. "We needed to create an identity for the brand," he says. "We wanted people to look at any of our cars and say, 'That's an Audi.' We're not sure we're there yet and it's something we'll look at as we move forward."
In some ways, this confusion might play into the hands of the A3 customer. Even Garand admits that to the casual observer, an A8 doesn't look three times as expensive as its new baby brother. Audi's entry-level sedan, which arrives early in 2014 both smaller and likely less expensive than the rival 2014 Mercedes CLA, could yet prove the most discerning choice.
The Engines
The 2015 Audi A3 will be launched in the U.S. with four different engine options. The entry-level 1.8 TFSI will be joined by a 2.0 TDI turbodiesel and two versions of the 2.0 TFSI, one for the A3 Quattro and a 296-horsepower version for the S3 Quattro. All four engines will be mated to Audi's six-speed S tronic double-clutch transmission as standard.
We only had a chance to get behind the wheel of the 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TDI models. The former produces 178 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque, with Audi claiming zero to 62 mph in 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 146 mph. It's a familiar Audi engine and does a decent job of imbuing the car with enough performance to justify its sporty aspirations.
The 2.0 TDI develops 148 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, hitting 62 mph in 8.7 seconds from rest on its way to 137 mph. Its midrange performance is a match in the real world for the 1.8 TFSI and its quiet, relaxed gait should make it an ideal foil for U.S. drivers looking to cover big distances. Both engines are well served by the S tronic 'box, which also offers steering-wheel-mounted paddles for sequential shifts.
The Chassis
The sedan employs the A3's familiar setup of MacPherson struts at the front with an aluminum subframe, and a four-link rear suspension with a steel crossmember. All front-wheel-drive models also feature an electronic limited-slip differential, which is a by-product of the electronic stability control system. The steering features electromechanical assistance.
The 2015 Audi A3 is offered with a choice of three different suspension setups, plus the additional option of Audi's magnetic ride system (which wasn't available for us to drive). The "Sport" suspension lowers the car by 0.59 inch, while the S line car rides 0.98 inch below standard. Intriguingly, Audi chose not to equip any of its launch cars with the S line suspension, perhaps in response to criticism of the setup in the hatchback. In the U.K. at least, Audi dealers are offering A3s with the Sport and S line aesthetics but the standard suspension as a no-cost option.
To our tastes, the standard setup offers the best compromise if your local roads are anything but supremely smooth. Despite what Audi says, the A3 is not really a sport sedan (at least until the S3 arrives). Instead it's a capable and composed compact sedan that mixes fine ride quality with a high standard of body control. The car's low mass (the unladen weight of the 1.8 TFSI is just 2,855 pounds) also contributes to its agility and efficiency.
Audi's Drive Select system allows you to choose different electronic maps for the steering, gearbox and throttle, but in reality this feels little more than a gimmick. In Comfort mode, the steering feels disappointingly vague. Even about town, the increased weight of Dynamic feels like the better compromise.
A Beautiful Cabin... for Small People
This new sedan is the third iteration of the latest-generation A3. Two- and four-door hatchback models launched in Europe last year and a convertible is also on its way.
At 175.5 inches, it's 5.9 inches longer than an A3 Sportback but 9.5 inches shorter than an A4 sedan. It's also 5.7 inches narrower than an A4 and just under half an inch lower. More significantly for its impact on passenger space, the wheelbase is 0.4 inch shorter.
This latter statistic is telling. Anyone 6 feet tall and over will find the rear of the A3 a tight squeeze for both head- and legroom. The need to adopt a legs-splayed position also makes the middle perch all but useless for anyone other than children.
It compromises what is otherwise a hugely appealing cabin. The sedan shares its fascia with the hatchback and it's a masterpiece of minimalism. Most of the key functions are operated through a pop-up color screen, which makes for an elegantly simple dashboard. The quality is superb, and not for one moment do you feel like you're in the entry-level Audi.
The days when Audi reserved its best features for its flagship models are also long gone. You can plunder the gargantuan options list and specify your A3 with everything from a wireless hotspot to a Bang & Olufsen hi-fi and LED headlights.
At 15 cubic feet, the sedan's trunk capacity is actually 1.6 cubic foot larger than the A3 Sportback's, but it's also 1.6 cubes smaller than the Mercedes-Benz CLA and 2 cubes smaller than an A4's. It's well shaped, though, and the rear seat folds to increase its versatility.
A Better Gateway to Audi?
Driving this A3 brings up an obvious question: How does it compare to the Mercedes-Benz CLA? The Audi is smaller and most likely cheaper, but both in concept and execution, they're obvious rivals. Both trade interior space for compact proportions and sporting pretensions. Both seek to appeal to a younger generation of buyers and act as a stepping stone to premium brand ownership.
The A3 is in many ways a classic Audi. It looks instantly familiar (too familiar for our tastes) and has an interior with a design and quality that remains peerless. It's a car bereft of surprises, but we suspect Audi fans will like that about it.
For something unexpected, we'll have to wait for the S3 and its nearly 300-hp setup. That should deliver the kind of performance that will qualify this car as a true sport sedan. Until then, the standard 2015 Audi A3 is still plenty of sedan, provided you're not sitting in the backseat.
http://www.edmunds.com/audi/a3/2015/road-test.html#
(2.0L 4-cyl. Turbo 6-speed Manual)
The launch of the 2015 Audi A3 highlighted a problem for the up-and-coming German brand. Out on the street, it's hard to tell its various sedans apart. Distinguishing among an A6, an A4 and the A3 we were driving takes more than a passing interest in design. It takes an unhealthy obsession with details.
To his credit, the A3's Canadian designer Dany Garand, acknowledges the problem. "We needed to create an identity for the brand," he says. "We wanted people to look at any of our cars and say, 'That's an Audi.' We're not sure we're there yet and it's something we'll look at as we move forward."
In some ways, this confusion might play into the hands of the A3 customer. Even Garand admits that to the casual observer, an A8 doesn't look three times as expensive as its new baby brother. Audi's entry-level sedan, which arrives early in 2014 both smaller and likely less expensive than the rival 2014 Mercedes CLA, could yet prove the most discerning choice.
The Engines
The 2015 Audi A3 will be launched in the U.S. with four different engine options. The entry-level 1.8 TFSI will be joined by a 2.0 TDI turbodiesel and two versions of the 2.0 TFSI, one for the A3 Quattro and a 296-horsepower version for the S3 Quattro. All four engines will be mated to Audi's six-speed S tronic double-clutch transmission as standard.
We only had a chance to get behind the wheel of the 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TDI models. The former produces 178 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque, with Audi claiming zero to 62 mph in 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 146 mph. It's a familiar Audi engine and does a decent job of imbuing the car with enough performance to justify its sporty aspirations.
The 2.0 TDI develops 148 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, hitting 62 mph in 8.7 seconds from rest on its way to 137 mph. Its midrange performance is a match in the real world for the 1.8 TFSI and its quiet, relaxed gait should make it an ideal foil for U.S. drivers looking to cover big distances. Both engines are well served by the S tronic 'box, which also offers steering-wheel-mounted paddles for sequential shifts.
The Chassis
The sedan employs the A3's familiar setup of MacPherson struts at the front with an aluminum subframe, and a four-link rear suspension with a steel crossmember. All front-wheel-drive models also feature an electronic limited-slip differential, which is a by-product of the electronic stability control system. The steering features electromechanical assistance.
The 2015 Audi A3 is offered with a choice of three different suspension setups, plus the additional option of Audi's magnetic ride system (which wasn't available for us to drive). The "Sport" suspension lowers the car by 0.59 inch, while the S line car rides 0.98 inch below standard. Intriguingly, Audi chose not to equip any of its launch cars with the S line suspension, perhaps in response to criticism of the setup in the hatchback. In the U.K. at least, Audi dealers are offering A3s with the Sport and S line aesthetics but the standard suspension as a no-cost option.
To our tastes, the standard setup offers the best compromise if your local roads are anything but supremely smooth. Despite what Audi says, the A3 is not really a sport sedan (at least until the S3 arrives). Instead it's a capable and composed compact sedan that mixes fine ride quality with a high standard of body control. The car's low mass (the unladen weight of the 1.8 TFSI is just 2,855 pounds) also contributes to its agility and efficiency.
Audi's Drive Select system allows you to choose different electronic maps for the steering, gearbox and throttle, but in reality this feels little more than a gimmick. In Comfort mode, the steering feels disappointingly vague. Even about town, the increased weight of Dynamic feels like the better compromise.
A Beautiful Cabin... for Small People
This new sedan is the third iteration of the latest-generation A3. Two- and four-door hatchback models launched in Europe last year and a convertible is also on its way.
At 175.5 inches, it's 5.9 inches longer than an A3 Sportback but 9.5 inches shorter than an A4 sedan. It's also 5.7 inches narrower than an A4 and just under half an inch lower. More significantly for its impact on passenger space, the wheelbase is 0.4 inch shorter.
This latter statistic is telling. Anyone 6 feet tall and over will find the rear of the A3 a tight squeeze for both head- and legroom. The need to adopt a legs-splayed position also makes the middle perch all but useless for anyone other than children.
It compromises what is otherwise a hugely appealing cabin. The sedan shares its fascia with the hatchback and it's a masterpiece of minimalism. Most of the key functions are operated through a pop-up color screen, which makes for an elegantly simple dashboard. The quality is superb, and not for one moment do you feel like you're in the entry-level Audi.
The days when Audi reserved its best features for its flagship models are also long gone. You can plunder the gargantuan options list and specify your A3 with everything from a wireless hotspot to a Bang & Olufsen hi-fi and LED headlights.
At 15 cubic feet, the sedan's trunk capacity is actually 1.6 cubic foot larger than the A3 Sportback's, but it's also 1.6 cubes smaller than the Mercedes-Benz CLA and 2 cubes smaller than an A4's. It's well shaped, though, and the rear seat folds to increase its versatility.
A Better Gateway to Audi?
Driving this A3 brings up an obvious question: How does it compare to the Mercedes-Benz CLA? The Audi is smaller and most likely cheaper, but both in concept and execution, they're obvious rivals. Both trade interior space for compact proportions and sporting pretensions. Both seek to appeal to a younger generation of buyers and act as a stepping stone to premium brand ownership.
The A3 is in many ways a classic Audi. It looks instantly familiar (too familiar for our tastes) and has an interior with a design and quality that remains peerless. It's a car bereft of surprises, but we suspect Audi fans will like that about it.
For something unexpected, we'll have to wait for the S3 and its nearly 300-hp setup. That should deliver the kind of performance that will qualify this car as a true sport sedan. Until then, the standard 2015 Audi A3 is still plenty of sedan, provided you're not sitting in the backseat.
http://www.edmunds.com/audi/a3/2015/road-test.html#
Human
You. The Road. Nothing else.
I was honestly never your biggest Audi fan. Recently I have to admit that especially R & RS launches from Ingolstadt impressed me a lot!
One of the reasons I am attracted to these cars is in the small-yet-fine details that impresses me of these cars. For one example is this )photo) and how it even makes me despise the Digital Screen as seen in the newly launched Best car in the World even more...
If this is how Rupert Stadler commands detail, then may he prosper in office
And this also says a lot about Audi's real Premium intentions in the compact segment, well muxh more than M-B's with the CLA 45AMG thats for certain
One of the reasons I am attracted to these cars is in the small-yet-fine details that impresses me of these cars. For one example is this )photo) and how it even makes me despise the Digital Screen as seen in the newly launched Best car in the World even more...
If this is how Rupert Stadler commands detail, then may he prosper in office
And this also says a lot about Audi's real Premium intentions in the compact segment, well muxh more than M-B's with the CLA 45AMG thats for certain
klier
Premium
Yeah, the S3 sedan is absolutely great looks wise. Great, great proportions and styling inside out.
Yeah, this and the A6 for me.
Yeah, this and the A6 for me.
Mr. Mercedes
Premium
In S-line trim this car is turning out to be a little bit of gorgeous. Predictable but so well resolved and satisfying. Not a fan of these particular alloys though.
Similar threads
Audi
Audi AG is a German automotive manufacturer of luxury vehicles
headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany. A subsidiary of the
Volkswagen Group, the company’s origins date back to the early 20th
century and the initial enterprises (Horch and the Audiwerke) founded
by engineer August Horch (1868–1951). Two other manufacturers (DKW
and Wanderer) also contributed to the foundation of Auto Union in 1932.
The modern Audi era began in the 1960s, when Volkswagen acquired Auto
Union from Daimler-Benz, and merged it with NSU Motorenwerke in 1969.
Official website: Audi (Global), Audi (USA)
Official website: Audi (Global), Audi (USA)
