A3/S3/RS3 Press Drives: 2013 Audi A3

[Deckhook]

Can't say if it drives much better but to sit in it most definitely make you feel better/more important than ever before. I would go as far as to say the last modestly priced Audi to feel this special from the driver's seat was the TT.

High praise indeed.

P.S.
Not an unbiased opinion but speaking to the SM he said driving this car is a more noticeable improvement over the last model than the A6 was over its previous model and we all know how much better it is.

 

[Tumbo]

It takes an Audi fan to love it.

Oh really?
My buddy, who has been a BMW and MB fan all his life, just ordered the brand new A3 1.6TDI. He drives now a 2011 1series and he went to testdrive the new A3 and fell in love.

 

[martinbo]

He drives now a 2011 1series and he went to testdrive the new A3 and fell in love.

I think we're going to see a lot of that happening. There's much to fall in love with with the new A3. It's an exceptional overall product in my eyes.

 

[speed_kills]

Oh really?
My buddy, who has been a BMW and MB fan all his life, just ordered the brand new A3 1.6TDI. He drives now a 2011 1series and he went to testdrive the new A3 and fell in love.

Good for him. I'm shure it's a great car.
I know some stories of the opposite, so you can't appeal to everyone.

 

[Human]

I'l reserve judgement until I see the A3 IRL. I like the cabin layout also the tactile quality looks (from photo's) top notch!

Oh, it's a BMW enthusiast/owner who posted the last test/review!

 

[Deckhook]

 

[Centurion]

That's a brilliant look, beautiful colour and good rim design. That's a perfect A3. If only there was an option for a slightly sportier suspension without going up the ladder to the S3.

 

[Levi68]

There should come other engines like the 211 PS 2.0 TFSI Quattro.

 

[Deckhook]

That's a brilliant look, beautiful colour and good rim design. That's a perfect A3. If only there was an option for a slightly sportier suspension without going up the ladder to the S3.

I think though I'm not entirely certain that the colour was Daytona Grey and if I were honest with you I'm not that in love with this rims design at all, I don't think it will age well compare to the more traditional spoke designs. As for the car itself, I was told by the SM that it's a mesh-mash of a car to show what options are available either now or in the future.

One thing I will say and this is being as unbiased as I can possibly be, the interior feels like a huge step up from the competition and not only their models in direct competition with it. Even the current A4/5 feels sub standard next to it in my opinion.

 

[speed_kills]

Have you checked the competition interior's?

 

[Human]

One thing I will say and this is being as unbiased as I can possibly be, the interior feels like a huge step up from the competition and not only their models in direct competition with it. Even the current A4/5 feels sub standard next to it in my opinion.

As much as I see as per hi-res photo's that it's certainly more than a step forward in terms of perceived and tactile quality + finish, so is the F20's interior IRL. Now I have to see both IRL to compare and do my proverbial scratch+feel+lick...test, to pass final judgement. As for the A6, when I did that I was very unsatisfied indeed! (hard plastic % is worrying)

 

[Deckhook]

Have you checked the competition interior's?

Everything except the new A-Class which hasn't been released but in my opinion it's better than the A4/5, the 1er and 3er and the B-class and C-class. The feel of the switchgear is topnotch as is the feel of the surfaces.

 

[Deckhook]

As much as I see as per hi-res photo's that it's certainly more than a step forward in terms of perceived and tactile quality + finish, so is the F20's interior IRL. Now I have to see both IRL to compare and do my proverbial scratch+feel+lick...test, to pass final judgement. As for the A6, when I did that I was very unsatisfied indeed! (hard plastic % is worrying)

If you go looking for hard plastic in the area you seldom touch then you will find it in all of them but the areas where you are in most contact with the A3 is exceptional.

P.S.
I did your scratch+feel+lick test on the A3 to shocked looks from the sales staff...........won't be trying that again. lol

 

[Human]

If you go looking for hard plastic in the area you seldom touch then you will find it in all of them but the areas where you are in most contact with the A3 is exceptional.

P.S.
I did your scratch+feel+lick test on the A3 to shocked looks from the sales staff...........won't be trying that again. lol

I hope you brushed your teeth before commencing the test,LOL

 

[as7920]

I had an F20 loaner while the 1M was in for work and had the opportunity to sit in both the new A3 and A-class cars at Geneva and I agree with Deck. The quality in the A3 is excellent and I would place the 1er at the bottom of the list unfortunately.

 

[Deckhook]

I hope you brushed your teeth before commencing the test,LOL

I even waxed my tongue. lol

 

[martinbo]

I think it looks epic - plain and simply. It's modern, sharp and crisp without being overdone and, to my mind, annihilates anything and everything else in the segment from an upmarket image point-of-view.
Evolutionary styling? Of course, but, when you're on to a good thing there's no need to be revolutionary. There's the class leader right there... I love this car and this one is in my favourite colour.

Were these pics taken at the Audi dealership in Ballymena?

 

[Deckhook]

No Martin it was Belfast, what was Agnews. If you haven't actually seen it in the fresh I believe you will be even more blown over by it, it really is that good.

Oh and BTW sorry about the other thread, dog with a bone and just can't let something go.

 

[Tumbo]

Wow...that grey A3 looks stunning!!!
Can you imagine that baby with full-led lights and some 19" RS5 rims? Drooool!

 

[Tumbo]

Good for him. I'm shure it's a great car.
I know some stories of the opposite, so you can't appeal to everyone.

Sure you can. My post was just to reply to your provocative "soulless" comment.