- High standard of interior fit and finish
- Frugal turbo-diesel engines
- Competent dynamics
- Significant retail price premium to related Volkswagen Mk.5 Golf
- Double clutch transmission can be abrupt on take-off
- Ride detriorates on uneven surfaces
Review: Audi 8PA.I A3 Sportback (2005-08)
Overview
Released in in February 2005, the Audi 8PA Series I (8PA.I) A3 Sportback was a five-door hatchback; please note that the three-door Audi 8PA A3 has been reviewed separately. Manufactured in Ingolstadt, Germany, the Audi 8PA A3 Sportback range initially consisted of 1.6, 2.0 FSI, 2.0 TDI, 2.0 TFSI and 3.2 variants; beyond the variants, the A3 Sportback was also offered in Attraction and Ambition variants (see table below). From 2006, the A3 Sportback 3.2 was offered in an S-Line edition and, in 2007, the range was expanded with the fuel-efficient 1.9 TDI e and 1.8 TFSI; the latter effectively replacing the 2.0 FSI.
| Variant | Edition | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | Attraction | 2005-08 | 1.6-litre BSE petrol I4 | 6sp auto | 75 kW at 5600 rpm | 148 Nm at 3800 rpm |
| 2.0 FSI | Ambition | 2005-07 | 2.0-litre BVY petrol I4 | 6sp man., 6sp auto |
110 kW at 6000 rpm | 200 Nm at 3500 rpm |
| 1.8 TFSI | Ambition | 2007-08 | 1.8-litre BZB/CDAA turbo petrol I4 | 6sp man., 6sp DCT |
118 kW at 5000-6200 rpm | 250 Nm at 1500-4200 rpm |
| 2.0 TDI | Ambition | 2005-07 | 2.0-litre BKD turbo-diesel I4 | 6sp DCT | 103 kW at 4000 rpm | 320 Nm at 1750-2500 rpm |
| 2007-08 | 2.0-litre BMN turbo-diesel I4 | 6sp DCT | 125 kW at 4200 rpm | 350 Nm at 1750-2500 rpm | ||
| 2.0 TFSI | Ambition | 2005-08 | 2.0-litre BWA/CAWB/CCZA turbo petrol I4 | 6sp DCT | 147 kW at 5100 rpm | 280 Nm at 1800-5000 rpm |
| 2.0 TFSI quattro | Ambition | 2005-08 | 2.0-litre BWA/CAWB/CCZA turbo petrol I4 | 6sp man. | 147 kW at 5100 rpm | 280 Nm at 1800-5000 rpm |
| 3.2 quattro | Ambition | 2005-06 | 3.2-litre BUB petrol V6 | 6sp DCT | 184 kW at 6300 rpm | 320 Nm at 2500-3000 rpm |
| S-Line | 2006-08 | |||||
| 1.9 TDI | e | 2007-08 | 1.9-litre BLS turbo-diesel I4 | 5sp man. | 77 kW at 4000 rpm | 250 Nm at 1900 rpm |
Dimensions
The 8PA A3 Sportback was based on Volkswagen’s PQ35 platform which also underpinned the Volkswagen Mk.5 Golf . Compared to the Audi 8L A3 , the 8PA A3 Sportback was 134 mm longer (at 4286 mm), 30 mm wider (1765 mm), the same height (1423 mm) and had a 66 mm longer wheelbase (2578 mm).
Suspension and steering
The Audi 8PA A3 Sportback had MacPherson strut front suspension with triangular wishbones and four-link independent rear suspension. Furthermore, the 8PA A3 Sportback had an electromechanical, speed-sensitive steering system.
quattro
The Audi A3 2.0 TFSI and 3.2 variants were fitted with Audi’s ‘quattro’ all-wheel drive system which consisted of a Haldex electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch and an open front differential with an electronic differential lock. In normal conditions, the engine’s torque was directed to the front axle, but the Haldex clutch could redirect up to 100 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear as a result of the ECU activating the clutch’s pre-tensioning system before wheelspin could occur. The front electronic differential lock could also brake a spinning wheel, effectively transferring torque to the opposing front wheel.
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the 8PA A3 Sportback included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Features: 8PA A3 Sportback
Standard features for the 1.6 Attraction model included 17-inch alloy wheels, a ten speaker stereo with CD player, dual zone climate control air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment and an immobiliser. The 1.9 TDI e was similarly equipped but fitted with 16-inch steel wheels.
The A3 2.0 FSI, 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TDI were further equipped with contoured sports seats, front and rear fog lights, a multi-function steering wheel and rear blind; the 2.0 TFSI added a six-disc CD player.
The A3 3.2 featured combination leather and alcantara seats, a power adjustable driver’s seat and alarm; the S-Line editions were distinguished by their power adjustable front passenger seats, bi-xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, ambient lighting and sports body kits.
2008 A3 1.9 TDI e
Released in May 2008, the 1.9 TDI e achieved fuel consumption of 4.5L/100km over the combined ADR81/01 cycle. Compared to the standard A3 Sportback models, the 1.9 TDI e had longer third and fifth gear ratios, lowered suspension, low-resistance Micheline tyres and more aerodynamically efficient wheels.
Related links
Review: Audi 8PA.II A3 Sportback (2008-12)
Overview
Released in October 2008, the Audi 8PA Series II (8PA.II) A3 Sportback introduced a revised range updated styling, new engines and a seven-speed double clutch transmission (Audi’s ‘S-Tronic’). The A3 Sportback was offered with a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine (1.4 TFSI), while the 3.2-litre V6 was discontinued; the ‘S-Line’ sports package could also be optioned for the 1.8 TFSI, 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI variants.
Visually, the Audi 8PA.II A3 Sportback could be identified by its daytime running lights, modified grille, revised front and rear bumpers and new alloy wheel designs. Inside, there were additional chrome elements on the air vents and three-spoke steering wheel; the instrument cluster also had single-colour black dials.
| Variant | Edition | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | Attraction | 2008-11 | 1.6-litre BSE petrol I4 | 7sp DCT | 75 kW at 5600 rpm | 148 Nm at 3800 rpm |
| 1.4 TFSI | Attraction | 2008-12 | 1.4-litre CAXC turbo petrol I4 | 7sp DCT | 92 kW at 5000 rpm | 200 Nm at 1500-4000 rpm |
| 1.8 TFSI | Ambition | 2008-12 | 1.8-litre CDAA turbo petrol I4 | 6sp man., 7sp DCT |
118 kW at 5000-6200 rpm | 250 Nm at 1500-4200 rpm |
| 2.0 TDI | Ambition | 2008-12 | 2.0-litre CBBB/CFF turbo-diesel I4 | 6sp DCT | 125 kW at 4200 rpm | 350 Nm at 1750-2500 rpm |
| 2.0 TFSI quattro | Ambition | 2008-12 | 2.0-litre CCZA turbo petrol I4 | 6sp DCT | 147 kW at 5100 rpm | 280 Nm at 1800-5000 rpm |
| 1.9 TDI | e | 2008-10 | 1.9-litre BLS turbo-diesel I4 | 5sp man. | 77 kW at 4000 rpm | 250 Nm at 1900 rpm |
Features
Compared to their 8PA.I predecessors, the Audi 8PA.II A3 Attraction editions were fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, while heated mirrors were omitted across the range. However, the 1.8 TFSI, 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI gained automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers. The 1.9 TDI e, however, was unchanged.
From December 2011, the Audi A3 Sportback was fitted with Bluetooth connectivity and the ‘Audi Connect’ in-car Internet and telematics system as standard.
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