Audi A3 Sportback TFSIe drive by Steve Rogers
If ever
there was a car that’s confused this Audi A3 fits the bill.
It is
definitely a petrol - there is a 1.5 litre under the bonnet - but it thinks
it’s electric because it has a whopping 88 mile range.
There
are plenty of plug-in hybrids around but no one outside the Audi group can
match this range. They have simply blown the opposition out of the water, the
perfect car for those uncertain about going down the all electric road.
Think
about it. One extra charge midweek will yield nearly 180 miles on purely
electric power and that covers a lot of families weekly needs.
How has
Audi done it? Simple really. They have doubled the size of the battery to
25.7kWh, it can even take a 50kW rapid charge so if you are on a longish trip
the A3 can be charged to 80 per cent in 30 minutes, about the time it takes for
coffee and a pastry at a motorway service station.
Any
downsides? The only one I could come up with is a bit less boot space. There is
no underfloor storage for the bulky cable bags although you only need to carry
one for the majority of trips, if at all. There is a perfectly good engine to
do the job without counting on electric drive.
And
here is another big plus. For decades I have lauded Audi diesel engines for
their economy, well the emphasis has switched to petrol and the combination of
this 1.5 litre turbo and electric motor is stunning. There is a 200bhp on tap,
not so long ago you would not think it possible for such a small engine, and
the 350Nm of torque matches the punchy pick up of a diesel but without the
clatter.
Performance
is in the realms of the best hot hatchbacks of old but the economy is even more
impressive averaging 54.5mpg at the end of a week covering just over 400 miles.
On short trips I regularly topped 60mpg.
A3 has
always had a reputation for top notch handling but surely it must fall off
given the extra weight of the battery pack? Fear not, the difference is so
negligible to bear thinking about. Mated to the 6-speed S Tronic paddle
shifting gearbox the A3 is still a real fun car, nicely balanced through
twisting roads and tight turns.
As a
fully paid up member of the premium set A3, along with every other Audi, is
beautifully trimmed. Just tracing a finger around the air vents gives a hint to
the quality along with the attention to detail running through the car even
down to the thick pile footwell mats.
The
dashboard layout is crisp and clear with an integrated central touchscreen,
quite unusual with so many using a standalone TV style display, but as expected
it has sharp graphics and fast response. And here is another company hanging on
to physical switches for the heating controls, neatly laid out with a
satisfying tactile touch. Long may it continue.
A3 has
never been a car to win high praise for cabin space so it is still only
average, even a little tight in the back seats for tall passengers, and the
same can be said for the boot although I found the 40-20-40 split for the seat
back sensible.
Audi
does not pile spec into models, preferring to offer option packs which can be
expensive, but there is no skimping on driver safety aids.
The
model tested is the Black edition which comes with flashy black alloys, colour
matched Audi bonnet rings, LED lights, heated front seats, and a few other
niceties.
I rated
the car on 10 points and put crosses against only three: No hold button for the
parking brake, very poorly sited cruise control and speed limiter switches, and
no keyless entry which was a pain in the neck and a penny pinching omission for
a car of this price.
But
having got over my mini tantrum there is one word that comes to mind.
Electrifying!
Fast
Facts
A3
Sportback 40 Black edition
£42,880
(starts £39,150)
1.5
turbo; 200bhp
0-62mph
7.4secs; 140mph
712.2mpg
with electric drive
9g/km.
1st road tax £110
Boot:
280-1100 litres
Insurance group 25
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