Classy compact saloon

By Ghaith Madadha - Sep 01,2014 - Last updated at Sep 01,2014

Well-established, the executive prestige brand hatchback segment includes cars like the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, BMW 1-Series and Volvo V40, but with the junior executive saloon segment growing in size, price and luxury, a gap has opened in the compact luxury saloon segment.

Against a background of higher fuel prices and growing urbanisation and demand for luxury brands, the small prestige saloon is making a comeback. Based on existing hatchbacks the Audi A3 Saloon and Mercedes CLA-Class slot into this largely neglected segment, and should prove popular in developing markets — like the Middle East — where three-box saloon cars are seen as more prestigious than hatchbacks.

Clean, crisp and deliberate lines

A scaled-down interpretation of Audi’s current design language the A3 Saloon’s narrower, lower and shorter proportions well suit the strongly familial and homogenous look. With smaller proportions and clean, crisp and deliberate lines the A3 Saloon looks restrained but class, while smaller but still large trapezoidal grille, slim browed lights and deep-set lower intakes lend an air of moody urgency.

A strong and rising lower crease line complements a less prominent character line stretching from headlight corners, across the flank and to the rear lights. A low roofline extends to a pert rear boot with built-in spoiler, while slim rear lights add a perception of width.

Built on the Volkswagen-Audi group’s new versatile modular MQB platform, designed to cut production costs and time, the Audi A3 Saloon, is like current and previous A3s, based on a shared basic architecture and mounting points as the Volkswagen Golf and other group models, albeit with more luxurious trim and a saloon body style in this case.

With transverse engine architecture, the A3 is built on a more conventional layout that the Audi’s now uniquely traditional design. By contrast, the larger A4, A6 and A8 saloons still use Audi’s traditional longitudinal engines mounted just ahead of the front axle and driving the front wheels.

Flexible and fuel efficient

Driven by a turbocharged direct injection 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, the A3 1.8 develops 177BHP at 5100-6200rpm and 184lb/ft throughout 1250-5000rpm. With such broad and sweeping sweet spot, the 1.8 TFSI benefits from confident mid-range flexibility for swift overtaking and on-the move acceleration.

Underwritten by a wide torque band, the A3 revs smartly towards a broad maximum power band. With a broad maximum power range, one can up-shift from the rev limit and continue accelerating with the same high power verve. From standstill there is a brief moment of turbo lag, but once soon spooled up, the A3’s turbo engine revs races through to its rev limit.

A mid-range engine options available for Audi’s small saloon, the A3 1.8 TFSI is nonetheless a brisk car, whose talents are more evident in its mid-range performance and muscular full throttle load hill climbing ability than just by its headline statistics.

Able to accelerate to 100km/h from standstill in 7.3-seconds and on to 241kmh/ in front-wheel-drive and 7-speed automated dual-clutch gearbox, as tested, the A3 1.8, however, returns frugal fuel consumption when not driven in a consistently aggressive fashion, with 5.6l/100km fuel expended on the combined cycle, along with 129g/km CO₂ emissions. Un-intrusive, the 1.8 TFSI engine is refined and is well insulated from the cabin.

Smooth and controlled

With its broad and generous torque and power curves, and a succinctly smooth shifting dual-clutch gearbox, the A3 1.8 is an eager and willing partner on steep hill-climbs. With stability and traction controls set to the less interventionist mode, one pounces through with a rewarding degree of agility, body control and slight wheel-spin that is easily modulated by easing off the throttle.

Highly effective and safety-minded, the A3’s stability systems can seem a little precautious through briskly paced cross-country switchbacks, where its small interventions seem to cautiously under-estimate grip levels and more readily intervene when manoeuvring quickly and near the limit.

Far in its less interventionist electronic stability mode, where a better degree of feel for the A3’s good grip level, body control and power deliver across fast and sprawling switchbacks allow for a more fluid, reassuring, intuitive and enjoyable experience.

Trusting the A3’s mechanical handling limits, the 205/55R16 tyres deliver and a good combination of suppleness, feel and grip. Turning in with precision, the front tyres grip well in to a corner, where weight transfer is well contained, while rear grip is especially reassuring when the outside wheel is sufficiently loaded up — in fact in low intervention mode, the A3 Saloon’s added overhang weight is less perceptible.

Refined ride

A smooth and comfortable daily driver whose unexaggerated 205/55R16 tyres take the edge off of its ride over bumps and cracks, the A3 Saloon’s slightly firm suspension settings ensure a settled rebound over such imperfections. But being designed with reassuring high-speed stability in mind, the A3 Saloon can jounce slightly, but only on very choppy medium speed roads.

Ride quality and cabin refinement from, while the steering is light and well adjustable. Seating is similarly highly adjustable for an attentive driving position — even for tall drivers. Front visibility is good, but over-shoulder visibility suffers slightly from the rakish roof arc, while rear visibility is decent.

Classy and stylish, the A3 Saloon’s cabin is restrained and elegant, with a minimalist sensibility to complement its contemporary technology. Dashboard materials and cloth seats are of good quality and texture. Spacious in front, the A3’s rear space is decent for average adults, as the low roof arc reduces rear headspace for tall rear passengers compared to the hatchback version.

A smartly kitted car with 8-speaker stereo with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, the A3 Saloon’s numerous mod cons and safety features including remote central locking, cruise control, front, side and knee airbags, three rear headrests, three rear three-point seatbelts and dual Isofix child-seat latching points.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 1.8-litre, turbocharged, transverse 4-cylinders

Bore x stroke: 82.5 x 84.1mm

Compression ratio: 9.6:1

Valve-train: 16-valve, DOHC, direct injection

Gearbox: 7-speed dual clutch automated, front-wheel-drive

0-100 km/h: 7.3-seconds

Maximum speed: 241km/h

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 177.5 (180) [132] @5,100-6,200rpm

Specific power: 98.7BHP/litre

Power-to-weight: 137BHP/ton

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 184 (250) @ 1,250-5,000rpm