What makes this A3 3.2 stand out even more, as it flashes past into the horizon, is its drivetrain.
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| The A3 3.2's 250-horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque is straight out of the TT V6. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
Where you might expect a humble inline-four, the upgraded model packs a big, powerful narrow-angle V6 engine complete with the kind of mechanical goodies you might find under the hood of a formidable sports car like, say, the Audi TT. This comparison makes plenty of sense considering the engine is the same as the one found in the swanky two-plus-two coupe, complete with variable valve timing and a set of variable intake manifolds. Output is rated at 250-hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, identical to the range-topping TT.
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| Super-fast shifting is done through a pair of backlit paddles made of brushed aluminum... (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
Like the TT, the A3 V6 only comes in one format: with quattro all-wheel drive and without a clutch pedal. Sounds like a bit of a let-down to the performance enthusiast, but make no mistake, this is no regular automatic; it's the DSG twin-clutch transmission, the world's most advanced gearbox. The six-speed
wünderbox has the ability to change gears at an almost surreal speed at the computer's discretion, or by the driver's command through Tiptronic-style transmission gate, or via a pair of brushed aluminum steering column-mounted paddles. Some, however, may wish for a clutch and a stick shift that, if we were in Europe, Audi would happily provide. But we aren't in Europe, so tough luck.
