First Drive: Audi A3 Sportback
by Joanne Ahern • February 11, 2013 • Car Reviews, First Drives
Prices for the new Audi A3 Sportback start from €29,300, with a cheaper petrol engine joining the line up in April
The new Audi A3 Sportback has arrived in Ireland, and we took the opportunity to take it for a quick spin at its launch in Dublin today.
With a distinctive Audi look about it, size-wise the sporty looking new Audi A3 Sportback is a little bit longer than a regular hatchback.
Our test car was a five-door, six-speed 2.0TDI 150bhp diesel model with the mid-level SE trim and from our very brief drive in it around the narrow and winding roads of west Dublin we think this car could be a lot of fun.
The Audi A3 Sportback has a very confident and solid, but not stodgy, feel about it. The test car was extremely smooth on the road, with great acceleration and lovely handling. According to the Audi spec sheet, the test car can accelerate from 0-100kph in 8.7seconds.
The centre console in this car looks quite minimalist – but you’d be wrong to equate this look with a lack of technology – all of the infotainment unit is controlled through a very interesting MultiMedia Interface, or MMI.
The 5.8” retractable colour screen is operated from a dial between the front seats, which works the radio, Bluetooth phone and audio and MP3 connectivity.
The basic MMI unit is standard on the Audi A3 Sportback, with upgrades available for higher specced models.
The centre console in the Audi A3 Sportback looks quite sparse, but the plethora of buttons usually found here have been replaced by the MMI dial
Audi says the four reworked engines currently available in Ireland are on average 12 per cent more efficient than previously.
The current line-up comprises two petrol – a 1.4 TFSI 122BHP and a 1.8 TFSI 180BHP – and two diesel – a 1.6TDI 105BHP and a 2.0TDI 150BHP – engines, with a 1.2 TFSI 105 petrol engine expected to be be added to the range in April.
Prices for the 1.4-litre petrol model start from €29,300, with a €29,680 starting price for the 1.6-litre diesel.
The 1.2-litre petrol model will start from €27,750.
The Audi A3 represents 20 per cent of the total number of Audis sold in Ireland since the model was launched in 1996, and the Sportback variant makes up 60 per cent of those sales.
It is also the number one car in the premium compact class in Ireland and Audi has high hopes for this, the third generation, Audi A3 Sportback.
Managing director of Audi Ireland, Andrew Doyle said: ‘We have no doubt this model will be very well accepted by Irish motorists.’
Visit the Audi Ireland website or its Facebook page for further details.
Related articles
February launch for Audi A3 Sportback
