2020 Audi A3 Sedan 35 TFSI Test: The Same Only

After a first failed international test attempt last April following complications related to the Covid-19 epidemic, your favorite blog is finally getting its hands on the new generation of Audi A3, and so much for something new , we opted for the “Sedan” version (also called Sedan) in 35 TFSI. Trial.

With this new generation of A3, Audi puts the cover back by offering a notchback variant of its compact star as on the previous version, very popular across the Atlantic and in the Middle East, while the opening of this body to the European market has succeeded in reach an ever wider clientele, borrowing from classicism but on a tighter budget than for the acquisition of the big sister A4. 

The exterior evolves smoothly

As usual with Audi, no revolution on the outside but a welcome update that will flatter the owner (or tenant) of this new generation without putting 10 years in sight for the previous one. The front face therefore evolves smoothly with the arrival of a honeycomb grille, wider, and “fake” gills smaller than before but yet more visible. The optics, larger, are obviously identical in every way to those present on the Sportback version and therefore see the arrival of 15 light segments which break with the continuous LED signature and in a single stroke of the 8V generation. 

The profile changes very little. The Audi A3 Sedan retains its rather high beltline which betrays its compact origin in the face of born sedans. The trunk finally seems rather less marked than before and gradually adopts a fastback-style roofline with a particularly inclined rear window. The A3 Sedan gains 4 cm in length to reach 4m50, 1 cm in height and 2 cm in width, which gives a rather generous size for the segment. The trunk offers 425 liters, or only 50 months of an Audi A4 sedan for comparison.

At the rear, the optics somewhat mimic those of the A7 by refining in part at the level of the setback. The edge overhanging the trunk is made more marked, the reflectors gain in length and in smoothness and overhang, again of the “fake” gills, particularly in fashion lately to decorate a drawing a bit consensual, we are at Audi. Finally, the unpainted plastic diffuser disappears in favor of a thin chrome strip, more elegant and oh so more refined. 

The interior gets a makeover

As with every new generation, Audi surprises with a complete revolution in the interior. If the A3 8V adopted from the facelift the famous Virtual Cockpit, digitization remained measured with a multimedia screen offset on the top of the dashboard. A little old school you will grant me. Here, the integration of the new 10.25 or 12.3 inch digital panel is simply perfect and is supported by a fully digital instrument panel with a 10.1 inch screen and, as an option, the head display. high. There is still a lot to say about the changes made, just at the level of the steering wheel which abandons its round hub so characteristic for 2 decades. The imposing S-Tronic selector disappears completely in favor of a simple push-button a bit like Porsche 992. Finally, there are two rows of remote buttons, one for the air conditioning control, an aviation buttons (as at Peugeot) for the remainder of the functionalities of which the Drive Select. The overall finish is rather flattering, except that of the two aerators on either side of the steering wheel, which among others recall those of the Lamborghini Urus, giving pride of place to the plastic god or the upper part of the door doors, with particularly tortured shapes. The inverted design of the door handle is also disturbing.

On the road

Fans of the genre will certainly not be disappointed, far from it. Despite an 18-inch pneumatic mounting and particularly firm damping, legion on the VW group's products, the asperities of the road are raised quite discreet while the Sport seats (optional at 440 € on the Luxury Design finish) offer unparalleled support and particularly refined seating comfort. It is also for me one of the greatest successes on this model. Their design, the many settings, the quality of finish, the choice of materials, they are simply perfect. Steering side, the blur at the midpoint of some electric power steering is here only present in “dynamic” mode, the fault surely to a hardened steering assistance in an almost caricatured manner. 

The new generation A3 also inaugurates the arrival of micro-hybridization on our 35 TFSI version, which saves precious grams of CO2. The 150 hp 1.5 L 4-cylinder house offers decent performance for the segment with a 0 to 100 km / h shot in 8.4 seconds and 232 km / h at top speed. Not enough to make it a sport even if the chassis base is really impressive and promises great things for the arrival of the S3 that I will also have the opportunity to try for you at the end of November. Audi having chosen a particularly winding course to put the dynamic qualities of the A3 Sedan to the test, we did not hesitate. Audi has done a great job on the chassis. The body handling in the series of turns is exemplary, the unmistakable front axle even in hairpin bend and the impressive course holding in long curves. No tire screeching and a rather sustained pace to keep the horde of heated motorcyclists at bay on the climb to the Col de l'Espigoulier. A real rail. We are at Audi.

As for the engine / gearbox torque, the 150 hp however seem just “sufficient” to proudly wear the 4 rings on the grille while the S-Tronic sometimes seems outdated in certain situations, especially when going downshifts. Even in comfort mode, I deplore a few untimely jerks at times that are not conducive to such reactions, when letting go of the pedal to anticipate a stop later for example.

Confirmed positioning

Like its predecessor, the new generation Audi A3 Sedan will find its customers in Europe but will have to face fiercer competition than before, Mercedes Class A Sedan and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé in the lead. The copy is excellent and a few adjustments to the box would surely make it possible to remove the last stains on the board. On the price side, the A3 Berline starts at € 28,750. Our version 35 TFSI S Tronic Design Luxe is exchanged for a check for 40 600 €, excluding options of course. There is no doubt that you will find what you are looking for in the well-stocked catalog of the brand with rings, which also offers very pretty colors, far more original than our Manhattan Gray. 

Dimensions: 4495x1816x1425
Empty weight: 1395  kg Boot
volume: 425 L
Fuel tank volume: 50 L  Combined
consumption announced (WLTP): 5.7 L / 100 kms (* test model)
Average CO2 emissions announced (WLTP): 136 gCO2 / km (* test model)
Displacement: 1498 cc
Max power: 150 hp at speed between 5000 and 6000 rpm
Max torque: 250 Nm at speed between 1500 and 3000 rpm
Max speed: 232 km / h
0 to 100 km / h: 8.4 se