Britain’s number five best selling passenger vehicle is also now the nation’s favourite car, and it’s catching the fourth-placed SUV just ahead of it
For a car past the mid-point of its life, technically the A3 shouldn’t be selling so strongly. The fact that buyers the world over have taken such a liking to it says much about how competitive this Audi remains. And that isn’t only compared to the rival Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series but even the mighty Golf.
The Volkswagen has also just been updated, the refreshed car headed to British dealerships soon. Their in-house rivalry will therefore be fascinating to observe during the remainder of 2024. The same applies to the 1 Series, a facelift having debuted just a few days back at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Catching the Juke for third place?
At the end of H1, the Audi is on 19,209 registrations, outsold by four other models, each of them an SUV: Nissans Juke (19,429) and Qashqai (22,881), Kia Sportage (24,139) and Ford Puma (26,374). And the Golf? It’s in sixth place on 19,036. So the VW still has way more than a fighting chance to beat the A3 by year-end, something it was unable to do in 2023.
If you’re wondering about the 1 Series, this is the only BMW in the top ten, the next car in seventh position on 17,587. The pricey A-Class meanwhile, is nowhere to be seen. Oh, and incidentally, not only is the Puma Britain’s best selling passenger vehicle but it has even out-performed the Transit Custom (22,139 YtD). So thanks to a small crossover and a new generation LCV model line, Ford is thriving – the loss of the Fiesta has been quickly forgotten.
No allstreet for the UK
The updated A3 range comprises three bodies: Saloon, Sportback and allstreet. Only the first two make it to the UK though.
You can still order an A3 with a diesel engine, an option which seems to be disappearing with most other cars. Most buyers instead opt for a petrol mild hybrid and that will likely remain the case with the updated Audi range.
Three trim levels (but only two for the base 85 kW engine)
Along with the restyle, an identifier of the model variant is now etched into the B pillars, so the 1.5-litre mild hybrid turbo which I recently drove came with A3 TFSI printed there. The two numbers which are supposed to serve as a guide to power no longer appear as part of the bootlid badging (just A3). In the test car’s case the official designation is A3 Saloon Black Edition 35 TFSI S tronic. And yes, I know the photo above shows a Tornado Yellow car: this trim level doesn’t necessarily mean dark paint.
The other model grades positioned below the top level one are Sport and S line but only Black Edition comes with a special new recycled synthetic upholstery. The dashboard is dark grey, its lower half covered in black fabric. Each trim level, meanwhile, can be ordered with either of the initial petrol and diesel engines.
Engines and transmissions
Audi has launched the new A3 with two turbocharged four-cylinder engines, each linked to a seven-speed DCT which carries S tronic branding. Both 1.5-litre mild hybrid and 2.0-litre TDI produce 110 kW (150 PS), while a six-speed manual option is available for the TFSI. As for torque, this is 250 Nm (petrol) or 360 Nm (diesel), zero to 62 mph takes an identical 8.1 seconds and top speeds are 140-144 mph.
A 30 TFSI (85 kW/116 PS & 220 Nm – manual or S tronic) has also now been added, with a 45 TFSI e (plug-in hybrid) to follow just before Christmas. We can also the facelifted RS 3 Sportback and Saloon later in the year.
The freshened S3 has already been announced, its power and torque rising by 17 kW and 20 Nm to 245 kW (333 PS) and 420 Nm. Pricing for these, so far the only quattro cars, is GBP46,925/47,490 (Sportback/Saloon, Black Edition) or GB52,400/52,965 (each body in Vorsprung model grade).
What’s changed inside and out?
Walking around the test car, I noticed quite a lot of changes, including dark paint for the four-rings logo, the one on the bootlid having a silver outline for each circle. The bumpers are new too, as are lights front and rear. You can even now programme DRL (via the MMI) to display one of four illumination sequences.
Step inside and as well as the fresh dashboard and door coverings, there are new vents, a better automatic transmission controller and a redesigned centre console. The car I borrowed came with the optional Sonos sound system and this also means you see that word on each of the speakers in the doors and atop the dashboard. It does sound quite something.
Audi has retained mostly physical controls for the HVAC and if you want to deactivate Lane Departure this is done via a long press on the end of the left-hand stalk. To keep it off, the driver must hold down that button each time the ignition is switched on, though in the A3 there isn’t too much tugging interference.
Certain options via monthly contract
Audi UK continues to experiment with certain pay-as-you-go options. For the new A3, such ‘Functions on Demand’ may be added to the car via myAudi. Should a buyer wish to specify adaptive cruise control and/or high beam assist, these can be activated either permanently or temporarily via that app. Trial periods are one month, six months, one year or even three years.
Tech packs – worth the money?
The test car came with a Technology Pack (GBP1,495). This comprises a head-up display, a reversing camera, adaptive cruise assist (incorporating the functions of adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist and active lane assist) and that rather wonderful Sonos audio system.
A3 buyers might also want to add the more expensive Technology Pack Pro (GBP4,995). With this bundle comes hands-free locking and unlocking (incredibly this is not standard on every A3), Matrix LED headlights, a glass roof and electric front seats. There are also tweaks to the driver assistance systems and adaptive cruise assist. The latter incorporates emergency assist and assisted lane change functions.
Dynamics
No generation of this model, and there have been four, is anything but an engaging drive. Whilst the 1 Series has more weighting in the steering, never do you feel any sloppiness in the A3, nor is there torque steer. An S3 is for those who want more of a sports saloon feel but you won’t see the 54 mpg average which I did in the 1.5 mild hybrid.
Summary
It seems odd to say this about an Audi yet I am going to: the new A3 is a bargain. Some of that is down to how normal the steep pricing of most EVs has become, so positioning the new range at under thirty thousand pounds is a smart move. Will the A3 remain class champion and even move up to become the UK market’s third best selling passenger vehicle of 2024? It would be foolish to bet against that happening.
Source from Just Auto
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