Right away, you can tell that these two compacts come from the same engineering gene pool.
Cockpit ergonomics are very similar, although you tend to sit higher in the more formal A4 sedan, and build quality and fit and finish are a micron
nicer in the senior sedan. Initially, you may not realize that the A4--in traditional Audi fashion--hangs it's engine way out there over the front axle. The assumption is that understeer would be even more pronounced than in the A3, which shares a VW Group platform where the engine is mounted sideways between the front wheels. But the A4's trump card is a rear-biased, full-time, all-wheel-drive system that permanently directs 60% of the engine's torque to the two rear wheels. Et volia, understeer is well under control. Go into a corner too hot, ease off to get the nose to tuck in then hammer it, and the rear grabs like a pit-bull delivering delicious four wheel drifts. Great fun!
Due to suspension upgrades from the über-S4 from the A4's '05 midlife upgrade (revised track rods at the front end and links and wheel carriers from the S4 and shock absorbers from the Audi A6), the A4's ride quality and steering better the junior Audi hatch as well. On our pockmarked roads, the A4's long-travel suspension soaks up bad pavement in mid-corner that have the A3 skittering. And the A4's steering is more
delicate with additional feedback compared to the A3.
And finally, whereas the front-drive, A3 2.0 T comes with a choice of a six-speed manual, the A3 3.2 S line comes strictly with the S tronic gearbox. It's good, arguably the best of the current manumatics, but if you want to shift on your own, the A4 3.2 quattro comes with a six-speed stick standard.
The A3 3.2 S line hatchback's functionality and au currant styling may win you over the less accommodating and more conventional A4 sedan's conventional truck. But when it comes to deciding an under-$50,000 Audi for those who like to drive, the A4 3.2 quattro wins by a well-balanced AWD system, superior steering and the ability use a clutch pedal.
Consider it a victory for age over beauty.
2007 Audi A3 3.2 S line
TYPE OF VEHICLE: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door hatchback
ENGINE: 3.2L vee-six
POWER: 250 hp @ 6,300 r.p.m.; 236 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-5,000 r.p.m.
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual with automated shifting and clutch
TIRES 225/45 R17 all-season tires
CURB WEIGHT: 1,660 kg.
BRAKES: Four-wheel disc with ABS, EBD and ESP
0-96 km/h: 5.9 sec
BASE PRICE: $46,340
2007 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro
TYPE OF VEHICLE: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
ENGINE: 3.2L vee-six
POWER: 255 hp @ 6,500 r.p.m.; 243 lb-ft of torque @ 3,200 r.p.m.
TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual
TIRES 235/45 R17 all-season tires
CURB WEIGHT: 1,655 kg.
BRAKES: Four-wheel disc with ABS, EBD and ESP
0-96 km/h: 6.5.
BASE PRICE: $49,475
Cockpit ergonomics are very similar, although you tend to sit higher in the more formal A4 sedan, and build quality and fit and finish are a micron
 |
| (Photo: John LeBlanc, Auto123.com) |
Due to suspension upgrades from the über-S4 from the A4's '05 midlife upgrade (revised track rods at the front end and links and wheel carriers from the S4 and shock absorbers from the Audi A6), the A4's ride quality and steering better the junior Audi hatch as well. On our pockmarked roads, the A4's long-travel suspension soaks up bad pavement in mid-corner that have the A3 skittering. And the A4's steering is more
 |
| (Photo: John LeBlanc, Auto123.com) |
And finally, whereas the front-drive, A3 2.0 T comes with a choice of a six-speed manual, the A3 3.2 S line comes strictly with the S tronic gearbox. It's good, arguably the best of the current manumatics, but if you want to shift on your own, the A4 3.2 quattro comes with a six-speed stick standard.
The A3 3.2 S line hatchback's functionality and au currant styling may win you over the less accommodating and more conventional A4 sedan's conventional truck. But when it comes to deciding an under-$50,000 Audi for those who like to drive, the A4 3.2 quattro wins by a well-balanced AWD system, superior steering and the ability use a clutch pedal.
Consider it a victory for age over beauty.
2007 Audi A3 3.2 S line
TYPE OF VEHICLE: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door hatchback
ENGINE: 3.2L vee-six
POWER: 250 hp @ 6,300 r.p.m.; 236 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-5,000 r.p.m.
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual with automated shifting and clutch
TIRES 225/45 R17 all-season tires
CURB WEIGHT: 1,660 kg.
BRAKES: Four-wheel disc with ABS, EBD and ESP
0-96 km/h: 5.9 sec
BASE PRICE: $46,340
2007 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro
TYPE OF VEHICLE: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
ENGINE: 3.2L vee-six
POWER: 255 hp @ 6,500 r.p.m.; 243 lb-ft of torque @ 3,200 r.p.m.
TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual
TIRES 235/45 R17 all-season tires
CURB WEIGHT: 1,655 kg.
BRAKES: Four-wheel disc with ABS, EBD and ESP
0-96 km/h: 6.5.
BASE PRICE: $49,475
Article Gallery