Tag Archives: Audi

Audi, Family hatchback, Motor reviews, Motoring

Audi A3: Still a premium diesel option

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Audi A3 Sportback

By Bill McCarthy

In the huge range of premium cars in the Audi stable, the A3 perhaps stands out as the most aspirational for those looking to step up a level. It is not hard to see why. It’s been around for a few years, and the latest version of its compact sportback offers the iconic four-ring badging, premium quality, practicality, and excellent fuel economy.

Both the sportback and saloon have been refreshed recently with upgraded lighting, and an enhanced cabin with new infotainment and driver assistance technologies. 

While the drive to electrification goes on, even at a slightly slower pace, the firm still has faith in its diesel products, with this model powered by a clean and greener two litre diesel engine. 

While EVs are due to be the only show in town from 2035, a diesel could last 20 years or more, so still offers a sound alternative.

Sharp exterior look

This latest, prettier, A3 sports a striking honeycomb grille and trapezoidal LED headlights flanking a wider slimmer grille.

The ionic Audi rings are now flush to the grille, with a revised bumper and stylish 20-inch optional alloys on this model.

A new colour palette gives a wider range of options.

Premium interior

The Audi interior has always been one of the best around, particularly this S line version and the latest cockpit is packed with high-end fixtures and fittings, soft touch finish and upgraded technology.

There are high-end materials and new fabrics with aluminium interior elements and door sills with aluminium inserts at the front, illuminated, with ‘S’ logo.

The now familiar virtual cockpit features a central MMI touchscreen for infotainment, and a digital cockpit display to deliver real time driver information.

An onboard Audi app store also allows accept to third-party apps via the MMI touch display

A standout feature is ‘Functions on Demand’, allowing owners to purchase additional features post-delivery.

On the road

On the road, the diesel engine is a bit of a firecracker. Not new but still feeling fresh, lively and refined.

The 150PS two litre unit powers the car to 60mph in just eight seconds. Lively enough for most, while the seven-speed DSG transmissions effortlessly slips through the gears. 

Being a diesel, the extra torque means mid-range acceleration is good, particularly helpful on motorways when overtaking. That extra grunt also allows for better towing capability.

Best of all, economy is excellent with a claimed 53.3mpg, a figure easily matched, despite a lot of motorway driving, combined with more sedate stuff around town.

The upgraded and slightly stiffer suspension on this model delivers an agile and surefooted performance, dismissing sharp bends with ease with the pin sharp steering keeping the car firmly in the direction you point it.

Grip is huge, limpet like when needed. It really is an excellent drive.

Practicality and safety

With generous legroom and a decent boot space of 380 litres (expandable to 1,200 litres with the rear seats folded), it is really practical for everyday use.

Safety features a comprehensive with parking assist, a full range of airbags, and features like adaptive cruise control, distraction and fatigue warning, hill-hold assist and lane departure warning with emergency assist.

Factfile

  • Audi A3 Sportback 35 TDi S-Line S-tronic
  • Price: £39,735 
  • Engine: 150PS 1,968cc turbo diesel, driving front wheels via a 7-speed automatic  transmission 
  • Max Speed: 141 mph  
  • 0-62 mph: 8.1 seconds  
  • Combined MPG: 55.4 
  • Insurance Group: 21  
  • CO2 Emissions: 134 g/km  
  • BiK Rating: 33%  
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles  
Audi, AWD, Coupe, Performance

TT is simply stunning

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Audi TT RS

By Bill McCarthy

The TT has always had an aura around it, a sportscar that has an enduring quality. A bit like the Mazda MX5, it’s become an icon.

Whether in coupe or roadster form, it has always looked the part, a head turner and offering plenty of performance.

Then there’s the TT RS, the bonkers sibling which offers something else entirely. Looking more menacing and likely to kick sand in your face, it just kicks the rear end of others with performance.

Like all RS Audis, performance is a given, but in the low slung TT it can be exhilarating.

The five-cylinder soundtrack delivered by the 2.5-litre TFSI is via the RS Sports exhaust system, amplified to spit and gurgle as the car blasts from 0 to 60mph in just under 3.6 seconds.

That is supercar territory and you can be in no doubt as you are thrust back in your seat as the car takes off.

The five cylinder unit delivers a stonking 400PS, that around 395bhp in old money which is a ton of grunt for a relatively small car. Mated with the seven speed S ironic auto box with the option of gear change via paddles. It rockets away from a standing start.

Aided by the RS specific suspension with magnetic ride adaptive damping, which keeps the rubber firmly on the road, the power is handled with ease. Throw in the legendary Quattro all-wheel drive and you have a vehicle that feels like it is running on rails and clinging like a limpet when cornering, while driver and passenger are held firm by the sports seats.

People were queuing up for a drive and the couple who did were not disappointed.

Once the bonkers part is over the car is a comfortable car about town and a rapid but sedate performer on the motorway when up to speed.

While £65k for this model seems like a lot of money, there is the full Audi quality you would expect both with outside styling and interior quality together with cutting edge technology. The original TT is still a much sought after car and the shape has evolved. Originally a more rounded vehicle, it now features sharper creases and harder edges, with stylish light clusters.

This model features the RS branding, subtle but still unmissable with honeycomb grille , coloured RS brake callipers, seven-spoke 19-inch alloys and rear spoiler. Door sill trims with aluminium inlays and “TTRS” logo

The interior in typical Audi with high end soft touch finish high-quality plastics.

The dash features aluminium with carbon inserts and features Audi’s Virtual Cockpit display which controls the major functions like connectivity, navigation and entertainment including DAB digital radio and controlled via the central MMI system.

The leather-quilted sports seats feature the RS logo and are firm and supportive, much needed when tested the car’s cornering ability.

A two+two, although the front seats offer plenty of head legroom, it is tight to the rear for any adults, forcing the front passenger to push the seat as far forward as possible. They really are more suited for children, or stowing extra baggage.

Although stowage space is not bad at all, with 305 litres available, it can be extended to 712 litres by utilising the rear seats space.

A car of this nature needs to be safe and the TT is packed with safety equipment not least the huge RS callipers and ventilated discs which provide immense stopping power. It also includes full complement of airbags including curtain and knee protection and stability control.

The TT just gets better, it looks the part and is a thrilling drive.

Factfile

Audi TT RS Sport Edition S tronic

Price: £63,260

Mechanical: 400PS, 2480cc, five-cylinder, petrol engine driving all wheels via seven-speed auto box

Max Speed: 155mph (limited)

0-62mph: 3.6 seconds

Combined MPG: 31.7

Insurance Group: 43

C02 emissions: 202g/km

Bik rating: 37%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000miles