The difference between the A3 and other
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| Behold the new A3 range. Fast (2.0T Frontrak, red), and faster (3.2 V6 quattro, gray). (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, Canadian Auto Press) |
Audis only begins to become apparent when you really start to push, or drive quickly in snow. Because its Haldex multi-plate clutch all-wheel drive system needs some loss of traction (1/7th of a wheel rotation) before diverting power to the rear wheels, the A3 behaves like a front-wheel drive car most of the time, safely understeering to the tire's limits. You won't get the same neutrality that otherwise might accompany a Torsen-equipped car, particularly any of the new rear-biased quattros, but it's hardly noticeable in day-to-day driving.
There is a fine line between the A3 V6 S-Line and a true S-Car, even though the straight-line speed, extra-firm, communicative ride, powerful, fade-free 312 mm brakes and most of its other specs disagree. The electromechanical steering, borrowed from the VW Jetta/Golf attempts to mimic larger Audis with its heftily-geared feedback and its ability to go finger-tip light at low speeds, but it feels a bit too one-way at times. You just don't get the same amount of feedback out of a pure electric system as you might from a hydraulic-electric system like the ZF Servotronic unit used in the A4, A6 and A8.
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| Open Sky system brightens the interior with a power glass sunroof and a second fixed panoramic roof panel. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
As one would expect, the A3's interior is as good as they come - it's best in class, in fact, although there's really nothing on the North American market that competes with it. But even when brought nose-to-nose with the 3-Series or the new Lexus IS, the A3 comes out on top with typically stunning Audi details, beautifully crafted seats and instrumentation. The experience is enhanced if the A3 is equipped with the Open Sky panoramic power sunroof, where the interior is brightened via an open, airy feel. In terms of style, the A3 resides somewhere between the A4 Avant and the TT, particularly in the details. The sportiest Audi was rightfully used as a source of inspiration for the A3's HVAC unit, centre console spars, the brushed aluminum trim, and textured alloy air vent rings.
