2014 Audi A3 Sportback 1.8 TFSI Quattro First Drive
2014 AUDI A3 REVIEW
What’s Hot: Great traction under power, pretty brisk when pushed.
What’s Not: Little steering feedback.
X-FACTOR: A zippy and compact package which borders on being genuine hot-hatch stuff.
Vehicle Style: Small luxury hatchback
Engine/trans: 132kW/280Nm 1.8 4cyl turbo petrol / 7sp twin clutch auto
Price: $45,500 (plus on-roads), $53,740 as-tested
Fuel Economy claimed: 6.6 l/100km | Tested: 8.2 l/100km
OVERVIEW
This new version of the A3 hatch is Audi's fastest small car; that is, until the S3 Sportback arrives later this year.
It’s also the only small luxury car under $50,000 to have all-wheel drive - and it delivers performance that, not too long ago, would have easily classified it as a hot hatch.
Only the most determined of Audi anoraks will pick it from a 2WD A3 1.8 TFSI though, and really it’s only a few tiny 'quattro' badges that give it away.
Behind the wheel, though, the difference is obvious.
THE INTERIOR
Driven the front-drive A3 1.8 TFSI? You’ll feel at home in the quattro.
Offered in the high-grade Ambition trim, the A3 1.8 TFSI quattro gets more heavily bolstered sports seats, leather upholstery, aluminium interior trim, foglamps, 17-inch wheels and the Audi Drive Select system.
The car we drove had two option packs fitted. First up is the Technik pack which adds nav, MMI touch, park assist and a rear view camera.
There's also the S Line sports package which brings 18-inch alloys, xenon headlamps, a sporty body kit, alcantara/leather upholstery, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, sports suspension and black headliner.
The S Line package imparts a much more athletic feel to the whole car and, in our opinion, is worth the extra $4200. But all up, the cost of options pushed the price of our tester from $45,500 to $53,740.