All-New Audi A3 Saloon Order Book Opens
Audi is opening up the order book for those who want to be at the front of the queue to get their hands on the all-new fourth-generation Audi A3 before anyone else. I have to admit that I was exactly overwhelmed with excitement at the thought of another A3, as the current one doesn't look much different from the original that went into production back in 1996.
For me, it's always been hard to see the point of the A3. It's basically an expensive Volkswagen Golf with an Audi badge and a higher price ticket, and it's always been extremely questionable as to whether anyone actually saw it as a more premium car than a Golf.
However, I'm actually quite excited about this new, fourth-generation, 2021 Audi A3, and here's why.
Exterior styling
I could begin here by repeating a bunch of the official guff about aerodynamics and ˜the large Singleframe with honeycomb grille˜ at the front of the new A3. But what you really want to know about is does it look any good and is it different from the current one? Well, the answers are yes and yes!
To be fair, it's not radically different as it's still instantly identifiable as an Audi A3, but the German automaker has done more than enough to make it interesting. The model going on sale now is the saloon version as the order book for the Sportback (hatch) has been open for a few weeks already.
For me, hatchbacks usually look better than saloon versions of small cars, and the saloon versions are usually only introduced to placate the North American market as they don’t tend to like hatchbacks over there. In this case, though, the saloon is way more attractive than the Sportback.
It looks like a smaller, sportier and more forthright version of the Audi A4, which isn’t a bad thing at all. It also looks quite distinct from the VW Golf it shares a platform with, and for me, the Audi is now the more attractive of the two cars.
Powerplants at Launch
Before too long we'll get the really interesting performance versions of the new A3, but for the moment buyers will have to choose from an initial trio of three fairly run-of-the-mill engine options.
Those who prefer petrol will have two versions of a 1.5-litre TFSI, which Audi, unfortunately, admits ˜major on efficiency˜ as they include cylinder-on-demand and 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. The 35 TFSI will develop a modest 150PS that will go to the front wheels through a newly developed six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed S tronic automatic. The S tronic version of the 1.5-litre TFSI gets the mild-hybrid system which helps it deliver a claimed fuel economy rating of 50.4 mpg, while the manual will still get a combined rating of 48.7 mpg.
An even more fuel-efficient 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine will arrive later which will also be available with a manual or a dual-clutch S tronic with mild-hybrid tech.
Stuff that matters
Let's be honest here for a moment. Does it really matter which engine you go for if it's not an RS3? Today's roads are clogged up and covered in potholes, so it's more important how a car looks and what it's like to be inside. In those important areas, the new A3 looks like an absolute winner.
All models will come with the latest version of Audi's sensational digital virtual cockpit, and if you know anything about Audi you know the interior is going to be world-class. The cabin might not be the most interesting and out there and design flair is always kept to a minimum, but the sheer quality and functionality of the A3 are hard to fault.
With prices starting from £26,870 on-the-road, the 2021 Audi A3 Saloon isn’t cheap. But if you fancy something a little bit swankier than a Golf that's equally as capable and versatile, the A3 might just be worth a look this time around. If a brand new car is out of your price range then make sure to take a look at the used Audi A3 cars for sale we have available on DesperateSeller.co.uk.
