A3/S3/RS3 Press Drives: 2013 Audi A3

[Gianclaudio]

It is stupid, although, I guess at least their interiors don't look like this.

Hahahaha!!

 

[Human]

Have you actually been in one of these? Well, I have and it feels cheap and the driving position is bloody diabolical. I'm not even that tall and I felt cramped in it. What a ghastly little car!

No, yet the fact that they (non-premium sh!tty-city cars) from the US covers-up the exposed metal-painted bits was used as an example for the real Premium OEM's to try and see if they can't just maybe try and follow the trend....

@ lukewiss - the same goes for the A1, Audi needs to cover the excellent, beautiful little buggers exposed bits I like the little Audi (maybe too much!? For Klier's taste)

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I never even noticed this on my A1.

 

[Deckhook]

The son's Polo also has bare metal exposed but due to the shape of the door this is barely noticeable unless you go looking for it. I suppose it really depends on the colour of the car because some colours like white/silver/grey/black compliment the interior where as red/blue/yellow/etc don't.

 

[lukeswiss]

I never even noticed this on my A1.

It's subtle, but it's there. I guess it would bother me if the car was another colour other than black.

Deckhook is right, it's kinda recessed.Unlike the Merc.

 

[Zafiro]

I certainly will now after reading this forum.

I went to see the new Golf today and there is no visible metal. I even had to look at my own car but my car had no visible metal either. But the new A-class do have visible metal, confirmed by me today.

 

[Human]

I went to see the new Golf today and there is no visible metal. I even had to look at my own car but my car had no visible metal either. But the new A-class do have visible metal, confirmed by me today.

Thanks Just me, I see there is none, great job VAG!

 

[Deckhook]

Andreas, did you get to drive the Golf?

 

[Zafiro]

Andreas, did you get to drive the Golf?

Yes I did.

http://www.germancarforum.com/commu...di-a3-2-0-tdi-vs-bmw-118dm.46749/#post-608592

 

[Deckhook]

Yes I did.

http://www.germancarforum.com/commu...di-a3-2-0-tdi-vs-bmw-118dm.46749/#post-608592

Just read it. It's a problem when testdriving differing specs and engine options, it's hard to get an accurate picture of comparison between them.

On a personal point I'm most interested in trying the Golf GT TDi, the combination of sportier looks and suspension with a torquey diesel should in my opinion be the perfect warm/hatch if not quite the full hothatch experience.

 

[Levi68]

Just read it. It's a problem when testdriving differing specs and engine options, it's hard to get an accurate picture of comparison between them.

On a personal point I'm most interested in trying the Golf GT TDi, the combination of sportier looks and suspension with a torquey diesel should in my opinion be the perfect warm/hatch if not quite the full hothatch experience.

What about an M125d? Probably even better.

 

[Zafiro]

 

[Deckhook]

What about an M125d? Probably even better.

Possibly a very good alternative though I still see the 1 series as a packaging compromise too far in this category, this sector is ruled by FWD and for good reason.

 

[martinbo]

Possibly a very good alternative though I still see the 1 series as a packaging compromise too far in this category, this sector is ruled by FWD and for good reason.

But then you haven't been reading the reviews that thoroughly. Your case for the segment being "ruled by FWD" is no longer universal. For instance, the 1er 5-door's 360 litre boot capacity is bested only by the 380 litres of the A3 Sportback (a wagon-esque stretch liberates an extra 15 litres of boot space) and Golf VII. The 3-door A3's boot is 365 litres. The BMW claws some cred back though with a slightly larger fuel tank - 52 litres - the 2nd largest in the class behind the V40 provided you disregard the Focus which is NOT a premium hatch no matter what the Brit pundits maintain. In any event, the FWD focus only has 316 litres of boot space. The RWD BMW trounces the FWD Merc A-Klasse's 341 litre boot and 50 litre fuel tank. Rear leg-room is now on a par with its easier-to-package FWD rivals too. So, it may not be class-leading but by no means it is as compromised in terms of packaging as you suggest.

 

[Deckhook]

^I didn't realise that Martin, thanks for enlightening me.

 

[Giannis]

But then you haven't been reading the reviews that thoroughly. Your case for the segment being "ruled by FWD" is no longer universal. For instance, the 1er 5-door's 360 litre boot capacity is bested only by the 380 litres of the A3 Sportback (a wagon-esque stretch liberates an extra 15 litres of boot space) and Golf VII. The 3-door A3's boot is 365 litres. The BMW claws some cred back though with a slightly larger fuel tank - 52 litres - the 2nd largest in the class behind the V40 provided you disregard the Focus which is NOT a premium hatch no matter what the Brit pundits maintain. In any event, the FWD focus only has 316 litres of boot space. The RWD BMW trounces the FWD Merc A-Klasse's 341 litre boot and 50 litre fuel tank. Rear leg-room is now on a par with its easier-to-package FWD rivals too. So, it may not be class-leading but by no means it is as compromised in terms of packaging as you suggest.

Plus, it can kick its tail out in roundabouts

 

[Deckhook]

^Still a shame its not the prettiest kid in the street.

 

[Soup]

 

[Tumbo]

Ehm... Am I the only one seing a 3 door A3 on the pic... And not the Sportback?

 

[Gianclaudio]

Ehm... Am I the only one seing a 3 door A3 on the pic... And not the Sportback?

Both Autocar and Autoexpress are getting worse and worse.........