HOT ON THE HEELS of the all-new three-door Audi A3, which we roadtested last September, the Ingolstadt company has unveiled the latest addition to the range: the A3 Sportback.
This new five-door model, the largest in the the range, is expected to account for two out of three A3 sales in the UK. So it's pretty important.
To think of the Sportback simply as a five-door A3 is to oversimplify the newcomer. Audi has added 58mm between the front and rear wheels to create more interior space.
The entry-level £22,125 2.0TDI SE, which I tested, will account for 40% of UK sales and the 148bhp turbocharged oilburner is capable of mixing it with the class leaders. A livelier 181bhp arrives in late spring. There's also a cracking new 1.4-litre TFSI petrol, which we'll cover in a few weeks.
The result is more room for rear passengers, and added luggage space in the boot. The price for this extra 58mm and two doors? It's £620 over the equivalent three-door.
Those additional doors obviously add to the weight of the car: the Sportback is 30kg heavier than the equivalent three-door. That said, it's still significantly lighter than the model it replaces.
The entry-level £22,125 2.0TDI SE, which I tested, will account for 40% of UK sales and the 148bhp turbocharged oilburner is capable of mixing it with the class leaders. A livelier 181bhp arrives in late spring. There's also a cracking new 1.4-litre TFSI petrol, which we'll cover in a few weeks.
Audi reveals new RS Q3
The 148bhp 2.0TDI though is more than adequate for the job. Stronger than the previous version, this newly-tweaked unit delivers more immediate oomph and feels faster than the official time of 8.7sec 0-62mph. It may be 1/10th slower over the sprint than the hatch, but you'll never notice.
And with average fuel consumption of 67.3mpg,108g/km of CO2, and a top speed of 134mph, it's a pretty attractive package.
The Sportback goes on sale across Audi's Scottish dealership network on March 16 — though order books are already open at the dealerships — so I had to travel to the south of France to drive the first right-hand versions. I know, it's tough: but someone has to do it!
I tested the entry-level SE spec, which uncharacteristically for Audi — certainly in regards to UK buyers who tend to prefer larger alloys — sat perched on dinky little 16in wheels. The ride, perhaps not surprisingly on the smooth French asphalt, was comfortable, quiet and supple.
Audi reveals details of Final Edition A3 Cabrio
The steering delivers a slightly artificial feel, but if you play about with the optional Audi Drive Select system — which was fitted to the test car — you can certainly firm up the feel by opting for Dynamic mode.
Access to the rear seats is simple via the wide-opening doors, and the deeper luggage area has a sill-level floor which aids lugging large, heavy objects.
There's no question that if you're in the market for an A3, then the one to go for is the Sportback.
Apart from the fact it's more stylish than the three-door — it actually resembles a shorter A4 Avant — it's also more versatile by dint of its extra doors and additional space. And despite being bigger, there's no noticeable drop in performance or economy.
The Audi A3 Sportback, of course, won't have things all its own way next year: certainly not with the arrival of the latest MkVII VW Golf. But there remains the allure of the four inter-linked circles, something which VW can only dream about.
Roadtest: VW Golf MkVII
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Jim McGill