Ted Welford heads to Granada pre-lockdown to put Audi’s best-selling model through its paces

What is it?

With the new VW Golf bursting onto the scene at the end of 2019, the arrival of similarly-sized models from its sister brands was inevitable – such are the ways of the Volkswagen Group.

The A3 shares many mechanicals with the Volkswagen Golf and Seat Leon

We’ve already seen Skoda’s and Seat’s offerings, but now it’s time for the most premium of the lot to show its face – the Audi A3. There are no surprises here – it looks exactly how you think it would and the interior shares plenty in common with other Audi models.

But no revolution is needed – this is Audi’s best-seller in the UK after all, and the last one was widely considered as one of the best cars in its class, though was really starting to show its age. So, can this new Audi A3 amend that?

What’s new?

On styling alone, you might think this is a facelift, rather than the all- new fourth-generation model. But with its larger front grille and fancy LED lights, it’s certainly helped to improve the looks.

S-Line cars boast larger alloy wheels

The main differences, though, lie in the cabin. Gone is the easy-to-use but old-fashioned feeling pop-up media screen and in place is a glossy new 10.1-inch touchscreen and digital dials – both of which feature on every new A3.

The engine line-up has also had a rejig, with the 1.6-litre diesel unit being ditched in favour of a new 2.0-litre powerplant. Select engines also benefit from new 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, which helps to drive down emissions and reduce fuel consumption.

What’s under the bonnet?

At launch, buyers have a rather limited choice of engines to choose from. So, if you want a petrol, it has to be the 35 TFSI – a 148bhp 1.5-litre unit – and it’s mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission.

S-Line cars get sportier-looking additions

But it’s the diesel option we’re trying here – a 148bhp 2.0-litre engine paired to a seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox, with power being sent to the front wheels. It offers a good mix of performance and efficiency, with 0-60mph taking 8.2 seconds, and maxed out, it could hit a top speed of 139mph. In terms of fuel economy, Audi says it can return nearly 60mpg, with CO2 emissions of 127g/km.

The introduction of the mild-hybrid 1.5-litre petrol engine will boost the A3’s appeal to the fleet market, as will the new 114bhp 2.0-litre diesel and a plug-in hybrid later this year.

What’s it like to drive?

Behind the wheel, it’s pretty much business as usual with the A3, with refinement and comfort being two areas where this compact Audi excels. These traits lend themselves hand-in-hand with this higher output 2.0-litre diesel unit, and makes this hatchback an excellent car to spend time in on the motorway.

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