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Three Cheers for the A3
by Barclay Nelson
I drove and Audi A3 which comes in at the expensive end of the urban
wagonettes category but it might just earn its higher price. The A3 comes
in two basic models: the base 2.0T and the 3.2. These numbers refer to
engine size (liters). The base 2.0T is a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine
with 200 horsepower, which is high compared to other urban wagonettes. The
other engine is a 3.2 litre, 250HP engine. Gas mileage is 22/28 for the smaller
engine and 18/25 for the bigger one. For 2010 the A3 will only come in the
2.0T version. Noteworthy standard features on all models include:
Some noteworthy optional features include:
Standard safety features include:
The interior of the car is tight and refined with leather seats and stylish
interior design while still containing plenty of cupholders, trays and storage
compartments. The glove box is capacious and has helpful shelves for whatever
and has a separate shelf for an IPod. I love the brushed aluminum inlays,
and distinctive surface finishes that aren’t chintzy or plastic feeling.
Front and rear seats are not overly spacious but are more than adequate.
The optional open sky sunroof is huge, the front half operates like a normal
sunroof but there is a fixed back half that allows even more light into the
cabin. I couldn’t get an exact number on the interior space with the seats
folded down but it was comparable. There was a removable rear compartment
slide cover as well. This car is has subtle styling queues that give it a mysterious beauty.
It isn’t flashy but it always makes you stare. This car gets the highest
marks for fun to drive. The suspension manages to be stiff enough to
corner well and yet it really smooths out the bumps when you hit them hard. You
can really push this car if you want to, it has the balance and agility to take
whatever you can dish out. It corners and accelerates precisely making
known it’s sports car genetics. The A3 has a tight turning radius earning
it bonus points in the urban wagonette category. The automatic transmission was
perky and responsive in managing the powerful engine in this light car.
You can switch to manual shift mode if you want more control but the
transmission performs well on its own. While the car is not overvalued it is still on the expensive end.
Driving the car makes you understand why it is worth it: luxury, safety,
versatility performance and style leave you with much to smile and cheer about
from behind the wheel. For more information got to
http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/models/a3.html. Barclay Nelson is a Financial Marketing & Research Consultant that likes to
test drive cars and write about them when he’s not working, fly fishing or
smoking cigars. |
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For a
primer on Audi, Audi’s are sporty German luxury cars. The brand combines
luxury and performance but bends toward performance. Audi’s are often
compared to BMW, Lexus and Mercedes. All of these luxury models provide
standard features that are options in less expensive cars. You also end up
with better styling and performance for the added expense.