Two months into the three month total of its long term service to the CAR Magazine team, Ian McLaren continues to share why the A3 continues to be a wleomce addition.
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Time spent: Two of three months
Distance covered: 1 930 km
Average fuel consumption: 7.2 L/100 km
We like: Low-slung driving position, refinement
We don’t like: Ingress into the low-slung driving position
While I thoroughly enjoyed my time behind the wheel of the SUVs that accompanied the shootout feature published in the July issue, being reunited with my long-term Audi A3 after 800 km of raised ride height, all-terrain driving highlighted just how refined and comfortable this modern sedan package is – even if it can prove ungainly for some having to “fall” into the car’s low seating position. From its impressive levels of on-road NVH suppression to a considered selection of materials and soft-touch surfaces featured throughout the cabin, the A3 feels instantly accomplished and assured in terms of an ownership experience.
I have to say that I’m a fan of this example’s model designation deletion. While I’m not convinced Audi’s modern number-based system ever caught on in our market, I’ve also always been a fan of the German market’s penchant for leaving these items off cars, instead letting the vehicle’s sheet metal tell a story.
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Still curious as to why there’s no option to open the boot lid from the comfort of the driver’s seat, the A3 Sedan’s 425 litres worth of luggage space has proven handy in terms of carting various sporting goods and school activity paraphernalia. Also welcome is the ability to fold the rear seat backrests in a 60:40 split for added versatility. With the smaller section folded, my children can still access two seatbelts.
While my average fuel consumption is stable at 7.2 L/100 km, shorter stints with the car locked into its efficiency driving mode have realised figures as low as 5.3 L/100 km. The trade-off is a less responsive throttle pedal, a transmission that actively seeks out the highest available ratio, and a re-introduced start/stop function that I habitually disengage.
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Although I haven’t had many opportunities to engage the Dynamic setting within the Drive Select menu, the presence of the standard sports seats and a matching steering wheel profile, as well as mounted transmission paddles, introduces a welcome sense of sportiness to even the school run.
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