A lot of new cars have recently been pulled from the stable of the Volkswagen Group and are slowly but surely making their appearance in the Netherlands. After the Golf and the Leon, the new Audi A3 Sportback can now prove itself in this section.
Audi A3 30 TFSI Pro Line
€ 34,370
The concept within the Volkswagen Group was always crystal clear: the Volkswagen Golf is the basis, the Seat Leon the sportier brother, the Skoda Octavia the significantly more spacious and cheaper version and the Audi A3 the more luxurious and premium option. But is that still the case? De Leon already proved himself here as a car that is already well in its own way. Is the Audi still the more luxurious version of this? At least in terms of motorization. The 110 hp 30 TFSI is the base engine for the A3 Sportback. A manual six-speed gearbox is linked to this three-cylinder. This gives the A3 an edge over the rest, because the Golf and Leon get the 1.0-liter TSI with 90 hp as an entry-level version.
For the time being, Audi has four trim levels ready for the A3: the Pro Line, the Sport Business Edition, the S Edition and the Edition One. The base price of these versions varies between € 34,370 and € 38,510. Remarkably, there is a choice of exactly the same engines at every level. On petrol level, this means that in addition to the 30 TFSI, the 150 hp 35 TFSI is also in the price list. This shows that the 110 hp 30 TFSI is not known as a “showroom timer”. For the Pro Line, Audi has chosen a slightly more modest appearance. The strip around the mega grille is black and not chrome-plated. The same happens around the window frames.
The trim pieces in the front bumper are also finished with dark plastic. The wheel arches are filled with 16-inch wheels: the other versions have a minimum of 17 and 18 inches. Audi also has a slightly less frivolous effect on the lighting. LED headlights are mounted on the front, but the rear is treated with halogen lighting. This also makes the indicators slightly more modest and does not move dynamically in and out. Little things that Audi drivers may be counting on in 2020? The back is equipped with a parking aid. However, this is the simplified version with only sensors. A reversing camera costs at least € 574.
Virtual cockpit
Inside it is feeling a lot more colorful. Here and there silver parts are processed and the color breaks through the black whole. As can be expected from Audi, the finish is of a higher level than with the aforementioned family members. The standard leather-covered steering wheel has several buttons to control the multimedia. Here you will not find buttons for the cruise control. But do not worry: it is present. The operation takes place by means of the lever on the left behind the steering wheel. The MMI system is quite richly equipped and can handle Apple CarPlay, for example. Built-in navigation is not available again. However, there is DAB + radio and the air conditioning can be set over two zones.
With a compartment in the center console it is always possible to charge smartphones wirelessly. The gauges behind the steering wheel are displayed digitally, but the system is not completely one-on-one in the multimedia system on the central screen, as is possible with the more luxurious versions. This Virtual Cockpit is standard from the Business Edition. In the field of safety, facilities such as Audi Pre Sense, Lane Departure Warning and a fallback assistant are available.
Although the entry-level A3 has a lot to offer, it’s all about the details. Some things you would expect on a car of this caliber. However, there is good news: the more luxurious Business Edition is aimed at the business driver and temporarily as expensive as the Pro Line. As a result of this promotion, the A3 is temporarily equipped for the same money with 17-inch alloy, sports seats, full-LED headlights and LED rear lights, MMI navigation and road sign recognition. Furthermore, the outside is slightly more richly equipped with, for example, chrome-plated trim parts.