Hello all
Collected my new A3 2.0TDi Ambition yesterday from Ingolstadt and drove 600km to Lake Como, Italy. Very impressed. Similar acceleration performance to my 210hp S3 before I enhanced to 270hp certainly better torque down low and acceleration between 120-160kmh, despite top peaking earlier at a claimed 207 (I only pushed 170kmh for a short period in Switzerland).
In sixth, 100kmh at 1800rpm and 160kmp at 2950. Averaged 7l/100km for 600km and at 160kph was using 8l/100km. Very quiet at 160kmh with no noticeable engine noise over the little wind and road noise. Masses of torque from 1800 and still pulling hard over 3000rpm, with a nice engine note not so noticeable as a diesel. On the mountain passes, it really felt like a petrol 200-220hp. Really dont see the point of buying the same priced 2.0FSI as it will use a lot more petrol when driven hard (the downside with FSI) vs. the diesel which uses little more when driven harder. The performance is simply better with the diesel heaps more torque and less need to drive hard.
I never thought diesels could be sporting but now theyre making them and give us a very viable alternative to petrol. The stigma will gradually wane.
Suspension taut and comfortable with the new rear multilink setup very noticeable. Grip seemed excellent but havent had time for a more vigorous mountain pass yet. Brakes a little spongy when applied harder but maybe this will improve as they bed-in.
My options were black metallic, 5-arm parabol design wheels, air con, Bose, heated seats and mirrors. Really recommend the wheels as their wide arms suit the cars chunky design vs. the other narrow arm optional wheels. And a heap better than those horrible standard wheels.
In my opinion, this is probably the best 3 door package available today exterior, interior and general performance. The only criticism I will make is Audis frontal weight load of 65 percent as clearly evident in the factory yesterday when I noticed the engine is actually sitting in front of the front axle. BMW wins here. But for a mid-priced car with a little fun, this is a very wise purchase. Lets just hope Audi put that 2.0FSI turbo in an S3 or RS3 variant with the same 3 door shape.
Over.
Collected my new A3 2.0TDi Ambition yesterday from Ingolstadt and drove 600km to Lake Como, Italy. Very impressed. Similar acceleration performance to my 210hp S3 before I enhanced to 270hp certainly better torque down low and acceleration between 120-160kmh, despite top peaking earlier at a claimed 207 (I only pushed 170kmh for a short period in Switzerland).
In sixth, 100kmh at 1800rpm and 160kmp at 2950. Averaged 7l/100km for 600km and at 160kph was using 8l/100km. Very quiet at 160kmh with no noticeable engine noise over the little wind and road noise. Masses of torque from 1800 and still pulling hard over 3000rpm, with a nice engine note not so noticeable as a diesel. On the mountain passes, it really felt like a petrol 200-220hp. Really dont see the point of buying the same priced 2.0FSI as it will use a lot more petrol when driven hard (the downside with FSI) vs. the diesel which uses little more when driven harder. The performance is simply better with the diesel heaps more torque and less need to drive hard.
I never thought diesels could be sporting but now theyre making them and give us a very viable alternative to petrol. The stigma will gradually wane.
Suspension taut and comfortable with the new rear multilink setup very noticeable. Grip seemed excellent but havent had time for a more vigorous mountain pass yet. Brakes a little spongy when applied harder but maybe this will improve as they bed-in.
My options were black metallic, 5-arm parabol design wheels, air con, Bose, heated seats and mirrors. Really recommend the wheels as their wide arms suit the cars chunky design vs. the other narrow arm optional wheels. And a heap better than those horrible standard wheels.
In my opinion, this is probably the best 3 door package available today exterior, interior and general performance. The only criticism I will make is Audis frontal weight load of 65 percent as clearly evident in the factory yesterday when I noticed the engine is actually sitting in front of the front axle. BMW wins here. But for a mid-priced car with a little fun, this is a very wise purchase. Lets just hope Audi put that 2.0FSI turbo in an S3 or RS3 variant with the same 3 door shape.
Over.
