Audi's new A3, in both Sportback hatch and Saloon forms, has now arrived in Ireland. Prices start from €30,550 for a Sportback with the '30 TFSI' 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine.
Aggressive design
If you want a saloon, that'll be €31,545 for a four-door with the same 1.0-litre engine. You can order one now, and first deliveries begin in a couple of weeks, in August.
Style-wise this generation of A3 really amps up the visual aggression, with a lower, wider radiator grille and more obviously flared wheelarches. Mind you, it might be aggressive outside, but it's much more caring and sharing within - the seat upholstery is a fully recycled material, made from old plastic bottles.
Aside from the base 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, there will also be the option of a 1.5-litre TFSI four-cylinder petrol with 150hp, which, if you go for the seven-speed S-Tronic automatic gearbox comes with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. That system recovers energy during braking, adds up to 50Nm of torque when driving off and accelerating from low engine speeds and allows the A3 to coast with the engine switched off in many situations. In everyday driving, it reduces consumption by up to 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres. There's also a 2.0-litre diesel four-cylinder with 115hp.
'Sporty & sophisticated design'
The cabin also gets what Audi calls "A sporty and sophisticated design" with the new gear stick, aluminium or carbon inlays, striking door openers and an instrument panel with a black-panel look.
In the centre of the dash is the new MMI infotainment system, the computing power of which is said to be ten times higher than before. There's an integrated wifi hotspot, and a SIM card that gives you on-board LTE broadband-style internet connection.
That centre screen is 10.1 inches across and is angled slightly towards the driver. Behind the wheel, that black panel screen is also ten-inches across and is the digital instrument display, which is now standard on all A3 models. You can upgrade that to a 12.3-inch 'Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus' display if you like,
Personal test drives
Commenting, Thorsten Godulla, Managing Director, Audi Ireland said: "We are really proud to announce that the new A3 family is now available for Irish customers. These are very significant models for us and we believe they will be very popular with Irish motorists as they offer huge choice and incredible value for money. Drivers can now book a personal test drive in Audi dealerships and see the new design features and experience the exciting in-car digital experience for themselves. We expect drivers to be very impressed!"