What Is It?
2006 Audi A3
What's Special About It?
The A3 is a premium small car from Audi that has done well in Europe but is only now making its way to the States. It's slightly smaller than the current A4 sedan and uses a four-door hatchback configuration for maximum functionality. It's marketed as a premium small car along the lines of the Mini Cooper so it shares the same upscale interior design and solid build quality as its more expensive siblings.
The one and only engine offered is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that generates 200 horsepower. It's connected to either a six-speed manual or Audi excellent semi-manual Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), both of which send their power through the front wheels. Audi claims a 0-to-60-mph sprint of 7.2 seconds for the six-speed model.
Although its fun-to-drive nature is sure to be a big draw, the A3 also has plenty of hatchback practicality to offer. In addition to the split-folding rear seats, the A3 has 13 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and nearly 40 cubic feet of available space with the seats folded down. Simplicity is the overall theme for the rest of the interior as the A3 uses a straightforward control layout and plenty of high-quality materials that make it feel like anything but a budget hatchback. U.S. models are scheduled to go on sale later next spring.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Although it seems like Volkswagen's Golf already offers a similarly attractive hatchback package, the allure of the upscale Audi name and the punch of a 200-hp engine have a way of changing people's minds. The Mini proved that an upscale hatchback is a viable product, but the more mainstream A3 will be a real test as to whether luxury really can be inexpensive. — Ed Hellwig
2006 Audi A3
What's Special About It?
The A3 is a premium small car from Audi that has done well in Europe but is only now making its way to the States. It's slightly smaller than the current A4 sedan and uses a four-door hatchback configuration for maximum functionality. It's marketed as a premium small car along the lines of the Mini Cooper so it shares the same upscale interior design and solid build quality as its more expensive siblings.
The one and only engine offered is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that generates 200 horsepower. It's connected to either a six-speed manual or Audi excellent semi-manual Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), both of which send their power through the front wheels. Audi claims a 0-to-60-mph sprint of 7.2 seconds for the six-speed model.
Although its fun-to-drive nature is sure to be a big draw, the A3 also has plenty of hatchback practicality to offer. In addition to the split-folding rear seats, the A3 has 13 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and nearly 40 cubic feet of available space with the seats folded down. Simplicity is the overall theme for the rest of the interior as the A3 uses a straightforward control layout and plenty of high-quality materials that make it feel like anything but a budget hatchback. U.S. models are scheduled to go on sale later next spring.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Although it seems like Volkswagen's Golf already offers a similarly attractive hatchback package, the allure of the upscale Audi name and the punch of a 200-hp engine have a way of changing people's minds. The Mini proved that an upscale hatchback is a viable product, but the more mainstream A3 will be a real test as to whether luxury really can be inexpensive. — Ed Hellwig
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