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udi’s A3 has been a huge hit with
buyers since it launched 20 years ago.
Even two years into its life in the UK
market it was in such demand that the first
diesels retailed for list-price new, with petrol
models almost equalling that performance,
even after they had passed through the hands
of their first owner and had around a year’s use
behind them.
That’s not how the market reacts today.
The test car, listed at £29,295 on the road had
already seen a drop in retail value to £25,000
on the forecourt, a fall of 14.6 per cent. The
harsh reality trading it in, however, after only a
few months at the wheel, would be a valuation
of £22,750, which is well in excess of a 20 per
cent hit.
Fortunately, there can’t be many A3 owners
who would find themselves in that situation. It’s
a car that quickly captures your heart so you’re
unlikely to bin it in double-quick time.
One of the reasons behind its success was its
ability to allow people to downsize on physical
dimensions without compromising on quality
and that’s a formula that hasn’t changed.
True, the cars feel slightly bigger than they
were then and there are now three-door,
four-door, and five-door variants, as well as a
convertible and the Q3 SUV, but it’s all down,
as they say, to the fact that success, breeds
success.
However, one thing this car isn’t is big.
It may look physically commanding, but the
load space is no better than might be found in
some of the smaller SUV and MPV models.
What they don’t wear, of course, is the Audi
badge and it’s this prominent, four interlinked
circles, symbol on the front that has allowed
Audi to hold up in sales terms, while VW has
withered.
The same applies to Skoda when compared
with Seat, although both VW and Seat are
showing signs of recovery.
What has hurt the VW Group brands, if only
in the eyes of the media, is the emissions
debacle. But it happened in late 2015, and is
probably largely forgotten among those who
aspire to VW Group’s products.
Our son-in-law has a diesel A3 that was
affected and he’s sent it for its software cor-
rection. However, he’s so unimpressed by the
loss of performance and resultant fall in fuel
economy that he’s considering having it reset
to its previous status while our daughter, who
has a diesel Golf, may avoid the recall correc-
tions altogether.
In the past, we have achieved more than
70mpg from the frugal versions, but as this
article is about celebrating the A3 we went for
something more powerful and luxurious.
So it was, that a fire engine-red A3 Sportback
with S-line trim and suspension, powered by
the 150 PS version of Audi’s 2.0 litre diesel
engine driving through the S Tronic automated
manual gearbox arrived on our driveway.
We’ve not met many people who enthuse over
red cars the way we do.
Our current S-Max is a special order metallic
red, and back in the mists of time we’ve owned
a bright red Range Rover and a VW Passat
estate of similar hue.
Discreet was the exact opposite of what this
Audi managed, but it was fun for all that,
although keeping it well within the parameters
in which speed cameras operate and traffic
cops trigger interest was a good idea.
What surprised us initially was that despite the
Sportline set-up that makes most Audis ride
like a plank, this car felt quite compliant, at
least in the front.
Friends who occupied the rear seats reported
it was quite hard to endure, but thankfully
we weren’t going very far on our trip to see a
group called The Churchfitters – whose use of
technology was as impressive as Audi’s.
The bass player has wired-up boots that
amplify his foot beats to provide the
background rhythm so there’s no need for a
drummer. Add to that a bass guitar formed
from two Mercedes wheel trims and a double
bass made from a motorcycle petrol tank and
you might wonder what could be achieved.
The answer is brilliant music perfect for
petrolheads.
Just as the Audi’s burbling diesel was music to
our ears, the roar from the 40 profile tyres was
overwhelming for much of the time.
But the car bowled along at an average 46mpg,
which was at least soothing for the credit
card.
Audi you like it
Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI
S Tronic Sportline
Does it fit your ego...
0-62 mph: 8.3 secs
Top speed: 135 mph
Bhp: 149 @ 3500 – 4000 rpm
Torque: 251 lb ft @ 1750 - 3000 rpm
...and your wallet...
Price: £29,295
Combined: 64.2 mpg
CO2 emissions: 116 g/km
MAURICE and ANNETTE HARDY give the Audi A3 Sportback the thumbs up
Best bits: brilliant as any Audi ever was