In Ukraine, the Audi A3 Sedan is available with two gasoline engines. But only the more powerful 180-horsepower version is offered with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. But if you have your eye on a more modest modification with a 122-horsepower engine, you still have to think about the type of gearbox, one of the three trim levels and the list of additional options.

Audi A3 Sedan 2013

In Ukraine:
. engines: petrol TFSI 1.4 l (122/125 hp) and 1.8 l (180 hp)
. boxes: manual 6-speed and robotic 7-speed S-tronic
. drive: front and permanent full quattro
. configurations: Attraction, Ambition and Ambiente
. model cost: from 448,349 UAH*
. engine: 2.0 l TFSI petrol (300 hp)
. transmission: robotic 7-speed S-tronic
. drive: permanent full quattro
. model cost: from 764,076 UAH*

Quite mature

The smallest sedan from Audi is in no way compromised in terms of equipment compared to older models. For it you can order the Audi Connect system with Internet connection and navigation, a Bang & Olufsen audio system, autonomous system heating and ventilation, blind spot monitoring system, automatic control high beam, rear view camera, panoramic roof, systems preventive security with the possibility of self-stop, automatic parking and much more.

The materials in the car are no worse than in the “a eighth”, you can also choose one of several interior decor options and order the S linea exterior package. But in the cabin you understand that you are sitting behind the wheel of a compact car.

This is an architectural style called “German minimalism”, but this cannot be attributed to the quality of workmanship and materials. The front panel in the form of a wing profile carries a compact climate control unit.

The speedometer scale with increasing “steps” turned out to be very dense. However, it is the same on “older” models.

A number of convenient “piano” keys allow you to quickly change the settings modes of the Audi drive select car while on the move. You regulate the air supply by pulling or pushing down the central element.

Robotic bathroom S-tronic box with two clutches is offered as an alternative to a 6-speed manual transmission. All sedans are equipped with an electro-mechanical parking brake.

In order not to “cut” the center console, the disc receiver and SD card slots were placed in the glove compartment.

A series of convenient “piano” keys allows you to hide a 5.8-inch color display in the panel, and while driving you can quickly change the settings modes of the Audi drive select car. You don’t even need to be distracted by controlling the MMI system. It is also responsible for managing telephony, navigation and other functions. However, this is not the only reason why the C grade resembles larger Audi sedans.

While you are standing next to the car, it seems like a miniature copy of the “four” or “six”. But once I get behind the wheel, I realize that there is unexpectedly a lot of space in the front row. You don't even have to fight for shoulder space with the front passenger. The seat of our car has mechanical adjustments, including settings for the popliteal bolster and the tilt of the pillow. So sit comfortably.

The seats have a wide range of movement and hold well in turns. Adjustments can also be electrical.

But in the back, the sensations take us back to the nineties, when the ultimate dream of many motorists was the Audi 80 “barrel” - it is similar in size to it new sedan. Making my way to the second row through a narrow opening and bending down because of its low upper part, I come to the conclusion that the A3 sedan can be placed on a par with the so-called four-door coupes. Having sat down, I feel that the ceiling is very close, although I am not tall. And the middle passenger is clearly a third wheel here. How inconvenient it is for him to climb through the transmission tunnel, which rises almost level with the sofa cushion.

The second row resembles a 4-door coupe - the opening is narrow, the ceiling is close, and even the transmission tunnel with a protruding console.

It remains to be seen whether you will have to regret the lack of all-wheel drive and an additional 58 hp. With. 1.8-liter engine.

Enough enthusiasm

The main striking force in the fight for a buyer in this car may be the 1.4 liter engine, developing 122 hp. With. Our car is equipped with a 7-speed S-tronic robot, which seems like a reasonable choice for those who spend most of their time in the city. And it’s hard to complain about the speed of operation of a box with two clutches when switching. In any case, this power unit showed itself to be a great guy. It easily picks up speed and accelerates the car in every gear, at the end of which the tachometer needle habitually shoots back, as if being burned by the red zone. And the sound of the engine is invigorating.

All Audi engines A3 Sedan are equipped with the system direct injection and turbocharging.

Therefore, the car seems dynamic, although acceleration to 100 km/h takes more than 9.0 seconds.

However, just like older models, the character of the Audi A3 sedan directly depends on the selected driving mode Audi systems drive select. Switching between five options, you can clearly feel how the force on the steering wheel, the responsiveness of the engine and the gearbox shift points change. The turbo engine is sensitive to changes in driving rhythm and mode. Therefore, according to the computer data, our fuel consumption ranged from 5.8 to 10.2 liters. But the feeling of the car changes dramatically.

When traveling, the trunk of the Audi A3 sedan is 45 liters larger than that of a 5-door hatchback, and 60 liters larger than that of a 3-door hatchback. IN basic equipment- folding backrests of the rear sofa in a ratio of 40:60.

Sometimes I am no longer satisfied with the most economical Efficiency mode, since in it the S-tronic hesitates for a long time to switch to lower gears, and the engine spins too calmly, which sometimes does not allow sharp maneuvering, then I switch to the Dynamic settings. Immediately the sedan becomes fast and sharp. The box automatically goes to sport mode and every time opportunity substitutes more low gear, the engine is constantly in the turbo pick-up zone and demonstrates fighting habits, and the steering wheel is made as tight and precise as possible. This car is a pleasure to drive high speeds, and at low voltages this voltage automatically decreases. In the Individual configuration, you can assemble your own version of the operation of machine units, and for normal driving Comfort mode is enough - with soft responses from the power unit and steering wheel, or Auto - in it the A3 itself adapts to the driving style.

Although our car does not have shock absorbers with variable stiffness Magnetic ride, the chassis works elastically and smoothly. And even on a sports suspension lowered by 15 mm with stiffer springs and shock absorbers, the Audi A3 Sedan did not become rude to passengers. It does not allow itself to be bumped and even allows for slight body sway on uneven roads. And on big waves I was afraid to “strike” the protective pan, which is installed under the engine as a standard equipment. Everything worked out fine, but I still couldn’t drive up close to the curbs in parking lots, even backwards, where the overhang was still higher.

Who's on the little one?

The miniature Audi A3 Sedan resembles older models in appearance, equipment and driving performance. At the same time, even the fastest engine can be both economical and mischievous. Such a sedan may well appeal to young families who want to join the premium segment. In addition, this car has no direct competitors in our market. Similar in style BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLA still larger and noticeably more expensive.

Summary

Body and comfort
The A3 sedan looks as strict and stylish as the older models. And the materials and workmanship are no worse. The car is not large, but the front row is surprisingly spacious. Even without variable shock absorbers, the car does not behave like a brute on rough roads.	There's not enough space in the back. The sports suspension forces you to be extremely careful when driving over uneven areas and parking near curbs.
Powertrain and dynamics
The dynamics, sound and response of the engine - everything happens so quickly and fervently that it’s hard to believe that there is only 122 hp under the hood. With. The limited slip differential on all front-wheel drive versions helps you drive on slippery and wet roads, as well as corner more confidently.	All-wheel drive is not offered with the 1.4-liter engine. Diesel engines will be available in Ukraine only in the near future.
Finance and equipment
The sedan can be equipped with up to 7 airbags. A whole range of security systems is offered to help the driver. List additional equipment very wide...	...only it includes some positions that I would like to see in the database. The cost of the car is very close to the price of the larger A4.

Audi A3 Sedan 1.4 TFSI
Total information
Body type	sedan
Doors/seats
Dimensions, L/W/H, mm	4456/1796/1416
Front/rear track, mm	1555/1526
Ground clearance, mm
Curb/full weight, kg	1235/1785
Trunk volume, l
Tank volume, l
Engine
	petrol with unimportant vpr. turbo
Disp. and number of cylinders/cl. on cyl.
Volume, cm cubic.
Power, kW(hp)/rpm	103(122)/4500
Max. cr. torque, Nm/rpm	200/1400
Transmission
type of drive	front
	7-st. robot.
Chassis
Front/rear brakes	disk. fan/disk
Suspension front/rear	independent/independent
Power steering	electro
	205/55 R16
Performance indicators
Maximum speed, km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h, s
Expenses highway-city, l/100 km
Warranty, years/km	2/no limit. samples
Maintenance frequency, years/km	1/15000
Maintenance cost, UAH.	1300
Min. cost, UAH**	490 467
We're standing. test. car, UAH.**	615 664
*On sports suspension **As of 04/16/2014

Photo by Andrey Yatsulyak

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Sedan among model range The Audi A3 is not a completely typical phenomenon. Typically, Europeans prefer new products from Audi in the hatchback body. Compact sedans are not in great demand on the Western European automobile market. Therefore, we dare to assume that this model was created with an eye on the Russian market and, in this regard, we will try to do a short test drive of the 2014 model.

The evolution of the A3 model range was as follows. At first it was compact three-door hatchback. After a successful debut, first in the European and then in the North American markets, a five-door version also appeared. Now a compact sedan version has also been released. The Audi A3 sedan is produced at the car plant in Budapest (Hungary). Production capacity The plant is designed to produce about 125 thousand cars per year.

Appearance.

As for the appearance of the car, everything is in order. Aggressive squint LED optics, rounded lines of the hood, a wide radiator grille in combination with the original bumper, as well as a “factory” trunk spoiler in combination with 19-inch rims give the car an even more dynamic look.

In terms of its design, the Audi sedan turned out to be very fresh and relevant. It is unlikely to leave even experienced car enthusiasts indifferent. This compact car turned out to be very cute. Even with a quick glance, you understand how little it has in common with other modifications of the A3. The similarity is noticeable only in the shape of the headlights and radiator grille. Otherwise, this is a completely different car with its own unique charisma.

How does it behave on the road?

The handling of the 2014 Audi A3 sedan is beyond praise. Excellent steering tuning gives you a feeling of confidence when driving at any speed. Walkthrough sharp turns clear. The car tenaciously holds the road without the slightest hint of drift. Excellent tuning provides comfort and does not allow you to be distracted when driving by small road irregularities. Perfect job brake system even when the wheels collide with different surfaces, it gives a truly amazing feeling of security.

The only criticism is that the suspension is somewhat stiff, which is especially noticeable when driving at low speeds. When overcoming larger potholes, suspension breakdowns may occur. Therefore, they should be overcome with extreme caution. Despite the impeccable operation of the anti-lock braking system, which ensures straight-line movement of the car on any surface, you should still remember that braking distances thanks to ABS it increases greatly.

Interior.

The interior of the sedan car turned out to be even more original. The unique “aviation” layout of the air ducts evokes unusual sensations.

Getting into the car is very good. A wide range of adjustments for the front seats allows the driver and passenger of any size to comfortably fit.

The only criticism is the sloping roof, which does not allow tall passengers to sit comfortably on back seat. However, we should not forget that the Audi A3 is still compact sedan, and in comparison, for example, with what we described earlier, this inconvenience is less pronounced.

Separately, we should talk about the multimedia system, which is present here not just for entertainment, but as a full-fledged MMI assistant, capable of even finding gas stations and free parking places in close proximity.

The system also allows you to send messages by email, as well as to various social networks, such as Twitter.

A little about the technical characteristics and configurations.

The official start of sales of the Audi A3 sedan took place not so long ago in early autumn. Buyers can choose from two petrol engines, with a volume of 1.4 liters and 1.8 liters and a power of 125 hp. and 180 hp respectively, as well as a two-liter diesel version with a power of 150 hp. Later they promise to produce a sedan with a 1.6 liter diesel engine, as well as a “charged” one. petrol version with a 2-liter power unit developing power up to 300 hp. Distinctive feature engines in the new sedan from Audi are used instead cast iron block lighter aluminum alloy cylinders. The entire line of gasoline power units equipped with a cylinder deactivation function to improve efficiency. But looking ahead, it should be noted that one of the most good decisions- this is a 2-liter diesel engine with excellent dynamics along with impeccable quiet operation and efficiency that is the envy of Japanese developers.

For those who prefer gasoline powertrains, there is also fertile ground. For those who prefer a leisurely, economical drive, the 1.4-liter engine is quite suitable. For those who prefer sport style driving, a powerful 1.8-liter engine is suitable, capable of showing all the “aggression” put into it by the developers on good surfaces.

As for the transmission, engines labeled TDI are equipped with both a traditional six-speed manual transmission and robotic box transmission It is clear that the “robot” has different settings, but real will Only a manual transmission can go. For those who love and know how to maintain control over the car, a six-speed gearbox is certainly suitable. Despite its simplicity, it amazes with long gears and perfect shifting without dips or jams. For city driving, it is preferable to choose a “robot”, which will allow you to literally relax behind the wheel, without worrying about the need to shift to higher or lower gears.

Test drive summary.

To sum up, we can say with confidence that the Audi A3 sedan is a beautiful and reliable car, who has great prospects ahead. And this applies not only European market, but also Russia.

Who stayed in the editorial office for a month, and then the Audi A3 hatchback came to us. More powerful (180 versus 140 horsepower) and all-wheel drive, but built on the same modular Volkswagen MQB platform. We asked ourselves: does it make sense to pay extra for an Audi, or will a regular Golf be just as good?

What's the point of getting an Audi? First of all, it is more expensive and looks more interesting. And if you can still argue about the proportions of the three-door, the five-door version of the Sportback is definitely beautiful. And the new sedan is not bad.

But what's more important is the ability to order the A3 with all-wheel drive. The Golf doesn't offer this option - unless, of course, it's the charged 300-horsepower R version.

The S line package includes “evil” bumpers and a radiator grille. The wheels of “our” car are 18 inches.

True, if you definitely want an Audi A3 with all-wheel drive, you will have to pay extra for a powerful 180-horsepower 1.8 TFSI engine and an S tronic gearbox - and such a car costs at least 1 million 194 thousand rubles. All other modifications are with 1.2 TFSI engines with a power of 105 or 122 horsepower, and also with two-liter diesel with a power of 143 horsepower - purely front-wheel drive.

Is the Audi A3 Sportback a hatchback or a station wagon? Perhaps something in between.

Moreover, even the basic Audi A3 with a 105-horsepower engine and manual transmission costs from 849 thousand rubles. It has no climate control, no xenon headlights, no parking sensors, no MMI multimedia system, not even fog lights. Almost a million for emptiness! And “our” A3 is not very good rich equipment (xenon headlights, climate control, leather and Alcantara trim, S-Line package, MMI and keyless entry system) will cost more than 1 million 700 thousand rubles.

Are they crazy? Even a fully equipped test Volkswagen Golf cost one Renault Logan cheaper.

But look at the interior. Cool design, decent materials. And how deliciously the air deflectors click, with what remarkable force all the keys are pressed, and how delicately designed the new MMI system control unit is! And, by the way, the mirrors on the Audi A3 are much more convenient than those on the Golf, if only because you can see something in them.

And the owner should be most proud of the multimedia system with an electrically retractable color display. Even if this particular A3 is useless, like a disk drive in an iPad - after all, there is no navigation, no car settings, no “built-in” instructions, or even the ability to connect a player via bluetooth or USB - but how beautiful it looks. And you can brag to the passengers.

But even here there is some sin. The driving position is not ideal, the pseudo-sports seats are too “flat”, and the steering wheel itself is large – or is this a hint that you have to pay extra for a “sporty” three-spoke one?

And the main complaint, oddly enough, is about the way the Audi A3 drives.

Tyts! This Audi A3 has started moving. Despite the fact that the clutch discs of the six-speed S tronic transmission spend their entire lives in oil baths, the transmission does not allow them to close smoothly at start - hence the jerks during each more or less intense acceleration. And if the system is turned on Auto Hold, which automatically tightens the handbrake when stopping, then you have almost no chance to move off smoothly. Is it really this way? Volkswagen concern decided to eliminate problems with the reliability of this unit?

Compared to the three-door hatchback, the wheelbase of the A3 Sportback is increased by 35 millimeters. So passengers in the back will have more space.

Just for fun, we went into the official Audi configurator and tried to calculate how much a fully equipped A3 (not S3!) would cost.

When driving, the S tronic works better: upshifts are smooth and instantaneous, reactions to sharp pressing accelerator - immediate. What’s worse is that the gearbox often encroaches on my comfort when, when braking, it shifts gears down too zealously. That's what it is!

Not everything is in order with the smoothness of the ride: the S line suspension itself is a bit harsh, but what’s worse is that it also has problems with energy consumption. When driving over bumps and speed bumps, fortunately, it doesn’t come to a breakdown - but it’s not pleasant either. It’s doubly offensive: after all, the vibration and noise insulation of the Audi A3 is beyond praise.

Jerking and shaking, of course, will not be annoying if you rush around in the A3 like an abnormal person: a frostbitten driving style easily neutralizes these little things. Moreover, the 180-horsepower engine (torque - 250 Newton-meters) allows: Audi exchanges a hundred in 6.8 seconds. Other full-fledged hot hatches still don’t know how to “exchange” like that.

The new Audi A3 comes in four body styles: three- and five-door hatchback, as well as a sedan and convertible. Our opinion is that the five-door Sportback looks the best.

But I don't want to! The 1.8 TFSI engine sounds unconvincing: the similar engine in the Seat Leon FR is much bassier. Steering wheel: not to mention the fact that, due to its size and bony rim, you can really imagine yourself as a trolleybus driver, the effort on it is somehow completely frivolous.

Clan MQB

Despite the fact that the car handles well. The rolls, thanks to the S line suspension, are small, the Audi responds willingly to turning the steering wheel, and the understeer is close to neutral. But it's only really fun to drive in the snow. There are no questions about the plug-in all-wheel drive (we tried both versions - front-wheel drive and quattro), which is usually criticized for being “dishonest”. Haldex coupling fifth generation works preventively and supplies torque to rear wheels even before the front ones slip. You can even drive through a snowy turn “almost in a skid.” Almost - because the stabilization system still does not turn off completely. As soon as the sliding exceeds a predetermined angle, the electronics will unceremoniously stop the drift race.

29 September 2015 14:42

Today we are testing the smallest sedan from Audi, the A3. Let's look at what this car offers for its money and whether it's worth it in this case overpay for 4 rings and a premium brand, or it’s easier, without further ado, to purchase a product of the Korean automobile industry.

Alexander Gorlin "avesti"

Let us immediately note that a compact premium sedan is a car that is extremely rare. And the direct competitors of the Audi A3 Sedan are not just one, two and too many, but you don’t even have time to count to two – there’s only one Mercedes CLA fits this definition. Everything else - or larger size, or lower premium level.

For the test we got the most powerful version this car, with a 180-horsepower gasoline turbo engine and, in addition, all-wheel drive, with a seven-speed robotic gearbox in the Ambiente performance line. Current price such a car – 1,615,000 rubles excluding the cost of additional equipment.

The design is completely classic for the modern line of Audi sedans. And in German it’s the same. A3 is the same A4, only a little smaller, or the same A6, this time much smaller. At the same time, the same stylish face and magnificent silhouette, which, in my opinion, looks especially attractive in red.

The interior is classic for the models VAG concern feeling of quality. Everything that the hand touches or the eye falls on looks like it is made with high quality, from high-quality materials and conscientiously made in German. The buttons are pleasant to press, the panels and handles are pleasant to touch, and so on. All this is compensated by no less traditional for cars Volkswagen company some kind of... facelessness or something. Inside, everything is extremely functional and concise, right down to the instrument panel - nothing is missing, but there are no frills either. In a word, everything is exactly as it should be!

Is it a bit cramped? Yes, it's a bit cramped. But it depends on what you compare it to. If with the Mercedes CLA, then the Audi is even a little more spacious. And if with a four or six of the same Audi, then of course it’s cramped. At the same time, on back row You can find central vents, a 12V cigarette lighter socket, and pockets in the front row seats.

The seats are comfortable, with sufficient lateral support; even if you want to, there’s nothing to complain about. The back row of seats is not cramped and there is almost plenty of legroom, except that a tall passenger’s head will rest against the ceiling because of such a roof line...

Let's go. The car we got for testing has 180 horsepower. gasoline engine, with a torque of 280 Nm. The engine is more than enough to quickly accelerate this, in general, not the lightest machine. Acceleration to hundreds declared by the manufacturer is a magnificent 6.8 seconds. But the curb weight of the car is quite large - 1,455 kg.

The steering wheel is short and precise. The suspension is moderately stiff and shakes somewhat on uneven surfaces, but the handling and stability in corners are simply excellent.

Despite all the splendor of the engine, the engine cannot be called a gluttonous one. Exactly the opposite. Fuel consumption according to the passport is 8.2 liters in the city and 5.5 liters on the highway. In fact, not much more. City – 9.5-10, highway – 6.5-7.

Dimensions: length 4,456 mm, width 1,796 mm, height 1,416 mm. Wheelbase – 2,637 mm. The trunk is quite roomy for a car of this class - 390 liters.

The Audi A3 Sedan is offered on the Russian market in three configuration options, and by some strange whim of a marketer, all of them begin with the letter “A” - Ambiente, Ambition and Attraction. Even if it looks like a proprietary feature, it is extremely inconvenient to navigate them. Transmission – either 6-speed manual or S Tronic robot. Three powertrain options – 1.4 turbo petrol engine with 125 hp, 1.8 turbo petrol engine with 180 hp. and a 2-liter turbodiesel with 143 hp. Of the 18 available combinations of trim levels, engines, and transmissions, 3 are offered with all-wheel drive, the rest with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available only for the 180-horsepower gasoline engine. The price range is from 1,225,000 to 1,615,000 rubles.

It’s surprising that even the most richly packaged car initially (but not taking into account additional options) does not have such things as navigation, a rear view camera, electric folding mirrors, LED headlights and even a USB connector, which are slowly becoming elementary for more modest brands. At the same time, even in the list of additionally installed ones for additional money, for some reason there is no heated steering wheel.

Photo gallery

Optical illusion

Few people will notice in the appearance of the Audi golf-class sedan the resemblance to the familiar five-door A3. In its new form factor, the model is perceived as more solid and older than a hatchback. Only the radiator grille, front optics and door handles are similar to the latter - everything else was developed for the four-door on an exclusive basis. It is not surprising that very few people recognize A3 in it. The Germans didn’t just attach a trunk “backpack” to the back of the hatchback – they increased wheelbase by 5 mm, made the car 11 mm wider and 9 mm lower than the A3 Sportback: the silhouette of the new product became faster, as if spread out along the road. Almost invisible, but ideologically important changes hood, bumper and air intakes, which distinguish the sedan from other three-ruble cars, as well as embossed sidewalls miraculously bring it closer to its older brother - the A4. As a result, the four-door, which is only 15 cm longer than the 5-door version, looks noticeably more solid than the Sportback.

Joy is in motion!

In winter traffic jams, the 1.8 TFSI engine takes quite a long time to warm up - a common occurrence for engines of this family. But when it warms up, rest assured that the dynamics are enough for the eyes. The supercharged “four” pulls almost from the very bottom, slightly increasing acceleration at the turn of 2000 rpm. - just when the turbine intervenes. Further acceleration is tight and uniform right up to the red zone of the tachometer. The seven-speed S-tronic is always ready and picks up the desired gear instantly, you just need to give a command with the gas pedal - by the way, it’s quite tight for a city sedan “golf” class. You have to press the accelerator more boldly than usual, which can be a surprise for the beautiful ladies behind the wheel. You can slightly revive the process or, conversely, make the ride more measured using the key Drive Select on the center console. Each of the three modes differs in settings for steering effort, accelerator responsiveness and gear shift timing.

The semi-independent rear beam, which is equipped in the initial versions of the sedan in Europe, bypassed Russia. For us only the best – independent multi-link! This means you don’t have to worry about roll in corners and diagonal swing on uneven surfaces. The sedan confidently writes the intended trajectory, instantly follows the steering wheel, and in extreme conditions does not try to drive the front axle past the turn as many do. front wheel drive cars. The rating can be reduced only for increased level noise when encountering deep holes or tram tracks.

Specials are cheaper

In the database, the sedan is 75,000 rubles more expensive than the hatchback. For RUB 1,036,000. you will get a 1.4-liter gasoline engine with 125 hp. pp., 6-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. For an extra charge of 71,000 you can order a 7-speed robotic S-tronic, another 73,000 costs a 180-horsepower engine. Diesel A3 Sedan at least 269,000 more expensive than the base, all-wheel drive is combined only with the 1.8 TFSI engine and costs no less than RUB 1,410,000. As an expensive gift, such an A3 Sedan, and even in the top level of Ambiente equipment, will be very good. However, the optimal purchase can be considered a car with a 125-horsepower 1.4 TFSI, front-wheel drive, rapid-fire S-tronic in the Limited Edition version. Such an A3 will cost 1,100,000 rubles.

Alexander
Miller,

Deputy
main
editor

The four-door A3 surprised me quite a bit. Not so much the careful finishing or exciting handling - for an Audi built on the Golf platform, both of these things go without saying. The sedan turned out to be extremely comfortable and roomy in long trips. The four of us drove it almost three thousand miles from Munich to Naples and back, and none of my passengers ever complained about cramped conditions or any other inconveniences. The excellent driver's seat did not cause the slightest criticism, and the sofa can accommodate three medium-sized riders. And not only will they fit, but they will also travel a hundred kilometers - tested.

Moreover, the trunk contained all the belongings needed by four travelers on a two-week voyage - with two adult women in the crew, we, you know, could not limit ourselves to the minimum luggage. How did German engineers manage to pack enough spacious salon and a deep hold into a relatively compact form, and even give it a certain solidity? It's mind boggling!

Nikolai
Whistler,

Editor-
reviewer

Audi and Daimler engineers started thinking about coming up with something “compact, but not a hatchback” at about the same time, and much later the idea was picked up by their fellow competitors from BMW. The Bavarians, before others, realized that one “premium” hatchback (and even in underdeveloped markets) will not go far, and when developing the very first series with the E87 index, they drew not only bobtailed hatchbacks, but also a real (that is, two-door) coupe. Competitors immediately began to invent countermeasures. I would like, of course, to say that Audi played “from the rival”: they say, BMW has a real coupe, Mercedes - not quite, so we will have a traditional sedan. But no, the CLA and A3 Sedan appeared in public ten weeks apart. So the Ingolstadters simply once again demonstrated their conservatism. And they guessed it: a car that almost copies the five-door from front bumper to the rear wheel arch, in the first nine months of 2014 it sold 2,714 copies in our country: this is more than the CLA and 2 Series combined. Touché!

Kirill
Brevdo,

Editor-
reviewer

You can argue until you're hoarse about the advantages of hatchbacks over sedans, appealing to their practicality, but this car can put an end to unnecessary disputes. From the point of view of sedan fans, the A3 Sedan is not even a trump card that slipped out of the sleeve of the German company. This is a joker who smiles contemptuously in the eyes of the champions of the triumph of functionality, mockingly asking: “Why so serious?” Meanwhile, the car itself looks deliberately grown-up. I really want to confuse it with the older A4 model, but I can’t - the “three ruble” seems much prettier. Actually, when starting a speech about the merits of this sedan, it is quite possible to limit yourself to the only point “firstly, it’s beautiful.” Amazingly harmonious appearance!

The interior is also good. At first glance it seems minimalist, although in reality it is not. The full extent of its charm is revealed in the intricate details: in addition to the fact that these buttons, knobs and controllers look expensive, they are also superbly designed ergonomically. And the most dubious artistic decision, in my opinion, can be considered the “Spartak” red and white decorations, which introduce some dissonance into this laconic interior.

Oleg
Lozovoy,

Editor-
reviewer

There are many cars produced in the world with thoughtful and high-quality interior, but those who force them to declare themselves publicly are few. And A3, to my own surprise, is just one of them. Decent noise insulation, well-adjusted ergonomics, exemplary seats - all this is just the tip of the iceberg. But what a construct! Such attention to detail and quality of finishing cannot be found in any other business class car. Cosmic deflector washers, keys on the console lined up in an elegant line, buttons for the MMI multimedia system - you want to touch all this more often than the situation requires. Simply because you experience incredible pleasure from interacting with any element internal equipment. And even optional red and white inserts a la “Spartak” Moscow successfully dilute the strict classics of the interior. Of course, adjusted for the scarlet color of the body. In other words, there is no longer any doubt that this car belongs to the “premium” league. As well as in the popularity of the new A3 Sedan among connoisseurs of quality for very reasonable money.