2005 Audi A3 Review

Specifications

2005 Audi A3 Sportback Preview

The A3 has never even been offered in America, but nonetheless Audi is hard at work preparing a new version of its compact luxury hatchback with all markets in mind.

The 2005 A3 will be the first vehicle to utilize Volkswagens recently revised Golf chassis, a car that also has yet to arrive in the U.S. Its a solid example of a personal luxury hatchback just the same, showing much advancement over the previous design.

Much like the cars the A3 competes with, namely the C-Class Sport, it was only available in a 3-door format. Just in time to battle with the new Volvo V50, Saab 9-2X, upcoming BMW 1-Series and other luxury compact 5-doors, Audi has decided to add a new hatchback-wagon crossover to the A3 lineup dubbed the Sportback.

But the Sportback isnt the only A3 in the lineup to receive changes to exterior and interior styling. Likewise a new engine has been added to the lineup as well as improved cargo carrying capabilities. While the 3-door hatch will no doubt remain popular in Europe and become a sporty alternative in North America, the addition of the Sportback is crucial to the success of the A3 on this side of the Atlantic, as the option for a more spacious model is often preferred.

The front end of the A3 Sportback has been reworked to incorporate the bulldoggish snout first seen on the A8 W12 and causing controversy on the new A6. A new lower valance which incorporates fog lamps has also entered the mix.

The big news, however, can be seen at the Sportbacks tail end, which has been extended and angled to create a semi-wagon appearance similar to Audis earlier 5000/100-200 Avants. This is not a strict wagon per se, falling more in line with a Mazda3 Sport design rather than the Volkswagen Jetta Wagon, for instance. The overall length of the A3 Sportback has increased by 2.7 inches, much of which gets added directly at the cars back end for increased cargo room. Wheelbase length is still the same as on the 3-door model. Having seen the success of wagon-hatchback crossovers, such as the Mazda Protegé5, Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix, Audis choice to extend the A3 lineup makes logical sense.

Although the A3 Sportback may look to be a big improvement in practicality and cargo carrying space from the three-door model, the differences are marginal. Although easier access to the rear seat is granted by the rear doors, the gain in cargo carrying capacity is minimal. Trunk space is 13.1 cubic feet when the rear seats are upright, which is 0.7 cubic feet more than the 3-door hatchback. Once the rear seatbacks are folded, this volume increases to 39.6 cubic feet. In any sense, this isnt a particularly significant increase with the sporty raked rear glass being the reason. Similar to other sport/luxury lifestyle wagons such as the Lexus IS 300 SportCross, cargo room is compromised for a sporty style. Audi seems to have found a compromise that its engineers appear to be happy with. If more cargo space is required, the next logical step for a customer would be to move up to the A4 Avant.

Along with the updated functionality, a new powerplant choice has made its way into the Audi lineup by way of the A3 Sportback. The 2.0T FSI, first seen in the Volkswagen GTI Concept shown at last years Geneva Motor Show, has made its way into production with the same specifications as the concept. The 200 horsepower motor is essentially the same 2.0 liter FSI direct-injection motor as fitted to countless VAG products, but with the addition of a turbocharger. This motor plugs the massive gap between the naturally aspirated 2.0 FSI, featuring 150 horsepower, and the narrow-angle 3.2 liter V6 with 250 horsepower. The benefits of the turbocharged 2.0-liter are quite clear: improved top-end power and a broader torque curve, from 1,800 through 5,000 rpm, peaking at 207 lb-ft of toque. When linked to the standard 6-speed manual transmission, the Sportback 2.0 FSI can dash to 60 mph in just under 7 seconds before topping out at 145 mph. This powerplant will most likely become the best seller in the range as it packs the torquey punch of a larger displacement engine without consuming excess fuel and without releasing as many toxic emissions.

Two new steering wheels, three and four multi-function units, an extra set of power window switches, and aluminum accent trim mark the interior design changes to the Sportback. As to why Audi would want to change an interior as beautifully constructed and crafted as the current A3 is beyond me, yet sometimes change must be made just to cause current owners to buck up for the new model. The layout combines design elements of both the A4 and TT, with the subtlety, clarity and warmth of the sedan offset by the stylish sporting elements of the coupe. Of particular note are the aluminum-covered air pods, and the distinctive aluminum spars that cross the transmission tunnel to the center console. Aluminum accents splashed around the dashboard and doors are a new A3 feature, specific to the Sportback.

A generous variety of options will be available to those wishing to create a more luxurious or sportier A3. Features include an “Open Sky” dual glass sunroof system, a sports package featuring stiffer springs and a lower ride height, headlight and windshield wiper sensors, as well as a DVD-based navigation system with a large-format TFT display. A variety of wheel and tire packages in 16- and 17-inch diameters will be also available.

In Europe, the A3 Sportback will be offered with a cornucopia of engines, some of which we wont be coming to North America. The engine range is simple to understand, progressing from small to large with a choice between regular fuel injection and Audis FSI direct injection technology. Entry level European models will be equipped with a 1.6 liter motor, good for just over 100 horsepower. Adding FSI brings the output up to 115 horsepower. The staple motor in the A3s range will be the 150 horsepower 2.0-liter FSI, as previously mentioned, hailed as the cleaner and greener successor to the famed 1.8T motor which is currently being phased out. Chances are North American A3s will be equipped with the 2.0 FSI as standard fare. At the top of the range is a 3.2-liter narrow-angle V6 developed from the New Beetle RSI, and currently in service in the TT 3.2 Quattro, Golf R32 and Volkswagen Touareg V6. It will be tuned to 250 horsepower, 10 horsepower more than in other applications. The 3.2-liter V6 is destined to be the “hot” powerplant, and a bridge to an even hotter S3 expected next year.

The Europeans will be seeing the A3 Sportback well before we do in North America. Audi dealerships across Europe will be taking orders as of July, with deliveries starting late September. In the meantime, weve yet to see the A3 3-door hatchback appear on our soil. When it arrives for sale, projected to be sometime in 2005 as a 2006 model, buyers will be able to choose between a FrontTrak front-wheel drive version and quattro all-wheel drive. As a premium compact hatchback, expect prices to begin at around $23,000, which is similar to the Saab 9-2X, Volvo V50, and C-Class Sports Coupe, while undercutting the A4 by a relatively large margin.

As fuel prices climb, and consumers penchant for large vehicles ebbs, personal luxury vehicles such as the A3 Sportback will grow in popularity. It offers all the sophistication, class and engineering of larger Audis without the ownership expenses involved - a good idea that is bound to grow in popularity.