Audi A3 Sedan 35 TFSI: our review

Audi A3 has always represented the compact par excellence of the Volkswagen group. Before being joined by a completely different range of segment B and C, the A3 represented the pinnacle of German know-how and this aspect helped to cement it as the best-selling Audi of recent years.

When I discovered that the test version would have been the "sedan" I was immediately intrigued, having not seen any circulars before.

Exterior

The first impression is crucial, and the A3 Sedan is striking those who appreciate that slender and innately sporty line that is now in short supply in the Italian automotive scene are in the mark.

Although the ground clearance is the same between the Sportback and Sedan variant, the latter appears visibly more "spread" on the asphalt, communicating clearly different intentions.

The most interesting segment is certainly the rear, characterized by the typical “truncation” common to the C segment set up as sedans. The rear lights have been replaced, adapting to the new shapes of the tailgate and the displacement of the rear window.

The symmetry of the proportions between the front and rear sections helps to create a massive and geometric image of the car's profile. with details and veins that give the A3 an all-round bite.

Perhaps due to the iconic grille, perhaps due to the "family feeling", the A3 Sedan is very reminiscent of the A5, a car with a clearly different size and target .

Interior

If the exterior look embodies the taste and aesthetics of Audi, the interior environment has undergone a "reinterpretation revolution", proposing some elements that have made the brand famous German and adding new ones.

The cockpit is more and more reminiscent of the cockpit of an aircraft. Although the attempt to simplify the communication interfaces between the driver and the car is evident, looking at the central tunnel and the main screen of the infotainment system one is confused to say the least.

Where do you expect to see a gear lever is a simple selector with a minimal profile. Where you look for a potentiometer you will find a pad that integrates the multimedia buttons and the tactile volume adjustment, reminiscent of the mechanism used by Apple on the precursors of the iPod touch.

The main screen, which is the core of the dashboard, is almost disproportionate if compared to the size of the satin plastic sheet that embraces the lateral extension of the dashboard.

The recess left by this sheet creates a progression towards the air conditioning vents, exquisitely integrated with the profile of the dashboard. In light of this optimization of space, the presence of two "additional" vents on the sides of the instrument panel creates a contrast that breaks the continuity of the design.

Moving on to the strictly digital instrument panel, we find a 10.25-inch display ″ Supplied as standard. Being the de facto brand that introduced the idea of ​​the "virtual cockpit", Audi's implementation is flawless. If the arrangement and quantity of controls in the passenger compartment confuses the driver, the immediacy and ease of use of the digital cluster mitigates the overall experience.

The information is represented and distributed clearly on the diagonal of the display, while keeping an eye on the continuity of style, from the outside to the inside.

Engines and driving impressions

The version we tested is equipped with the 1.4 TFSI petrol generates, according to the nomenclature introduced by Audi in 2020, 150 horses. The number "35" does not refer to the displacement, nor to the developed power (directly), but is intended to abstract the type of power supply and parameters for the end user.

Use a “Small” displacement was a winning choice, also thanks to the ad-hoc implementation of the famous “S-tronic” automatic transmission. The engine benefits from supercharging, guaranteeing a vigorous thrust already from 1500 rpm, amplified by the granular calibration of the 7 available ratios.

Of course, this is not a strictly "sports" car, but it has proved capable of sincere emotions in the mixed-strait. Although the weight is within the norm for the category, the front end remains glued to the asphalt, regardless of the type of turn you are making. For a car that suggests a decent level of performance it is crucial to communicate stability, especially when you decide to use the 150 hp provided by the engine.

Even selecting the "normal" option, the gearbox-engine combination it is reactive and senses the driver's intentions, calibrating the powertrain's response to the aggressiveness with which the accelerator pedal is pressed. Paradoxically, I found some problems in the deceleration phase, more than in the acceleration situations. In the context of motorway traffic I have noticed a certain indecision associated with downshifting; in some cases the car preferred to touch all the ratios in a gentle and comfortable way, in others it engaged the gears, noticing a certain void, almost as if after the actual downshift the engine had remained decoupled from the gearbox itself.

Conclusions

A3 Sedan represents a valid alternative to the evergreen A3 Sportback, integrating the positive aspects of the traditional variant into a decidedly more aggressive and eye-catching body. The customer who wants an everyday Audi without adhering to market standards will find in the A3 Sedan an example of how little is needed to completely distort the image associated with a car.

The engine is particularly suitable for an all-round use, ranging from the daily commute to the workplace to the Sunday outing. With an average consumption of 6 L / 100Km, the 1.4 TFSI proves to be a cross between a powertrain dedicated to economy and an engine engineered to give satisfaction. With a starting price of 31,310 euros, the A3 is positioned among the “premium” C segment, guaranteeing an excellent compromise between functionality and quality of the interior and without ever being uncomfortable or unsuitable for certain circumstances.