New A3 Sportback Sport 1.0TSI STronic - First Impressions

[Dave Cornwell]

I thought I'd pass on my early impressions on this probably not that common combination. There were three main reasons why I went for the smallest engine: The first was cost then the low tax band and the third was hopefully the best economy for my type of driving. Well the second one got blown out of the water as the car got delivered three days after the deadline! (I will start a new thread on the big implications of this). After a month I am very impressed with the car. The engine is sufficiently powerful and surprisingly quiet, although both of these were expected following reviews. I previously had a Seat Leon DSG with the 1.2TSI engine and it is similar in many ways. The auto gear changes seem smoother on the Audi than the Leon. It may be even slightly quieter although this may be due to better sound proofing in the Audi. As far as economy goes and considering the engine is probably still a bit "tight" (500 miles) it looks promising. The Leon overall was returning about 46 mpg while the Audi is looking more like 49 mpg over similar journeys. One of the bug bears of the Leon was that it seemed stuck on about 46 mpg at that typical motorway cruising speed of 75mph. The Audi is looking nearer to 50mpg in those circumstances but it is a bit early for reliable figures. Comfort levels are generally higher but the ride is a tad firmer probably due to the 17" as opposed to 16" wheels. And this is where there could be a difference. There was very little road noise from the Leon and while the Audi is acceptably quiet and in fact more so on smooth tarmac - once it changes to the rougher type or concrete surfaces it is definitely louder. I wished the Sport came with a 16" wheel option. I like the tech and love the big wheel control and menu options as I hate touch screens although I suspect we will end up with them across the board eventually. Definitely much safer to use than my Leon and the sat nav is better. I like the Audi Connect as well which I have on trial so may well get a SIM for it when it runs out. The sports seats are slightly more comfortable than the standard Leon ones. The colour, Cosmos Blue is interesting. It was the only one I really liked and what i've noticed is it changes from almost black to navy blue, to a sparkling bluey green depending on the angle and brightness of the sun. Three colours for the price of one!
All in all I am extremely happy with the purchase and on a PCP plan it is very similar in cost to the excellent Leon I had before and I think it just has the edge with that all round quality feel and refinement
Hope this is of some help to someone thinking of this model or similar.
Dave

 

[TDI-line]

Nice one Dave.


Pics are following, maybe?

 

[TDI-line]

So your 1.0 litre Tax is more than my 184 Quattro, man i would be seriously peeved.

Has the garage said anything for the **** up?

 

[Dave Cornwell]

So your 1.0 litre Tax is more than my 184 Quattro, man i would be seriously peeved.

Has the garage said anything for the **** up?

There is no "**** up". That is how the new road fund licence works from April 1st. It applies to all new cars registered after that date. Cars registered before then remain in the old tax bands indefinitely as things stand, but of course that could change in the future.

 

[TDI-line]

There is no "**** up". That is how the new road fund licence works from April 1st. It applies to all new cars registered after that date. Cars registered before then remain in the old tax bands indefinitely as things stand, but of course that could change in the future.

Sorry Dave, it sounded like the car got delivered after the deadline, so you was counting on a low or zero tax bracket with delivery before the 1st April?

So was this the dealers **** up.

I know the tax went up, but yes, who knows what will happen with the old tax bands.

 

[Dave Cornwell]

Hi - well I was hoping that the delivery would be before the deadline once I saw on the Audi website that it was at the Port mid-March. But the dealer had said mid-April when I ordered it in January so it was more hope than expectancy really. Sometimes you just have to swallow - or blame the Government!
I'll try and send a pic if the sun ever comes out down here.

 

[Dave Cornwell]

Hi - well I was hoping that the delivery would be before the deadline once I saw on the Audi website that it was at the Port mid-March. But the dealer had said mid-April when I ordered it in January so it was more hope than expectancy really. Sometimes you just have to swallow - or blame the Government!
I'll try and send a pic if the sun ever comes out down here.

I thought I'd pass on my early impressions on this probably not that common combination. There were three main reasons why I went for the smallest engine: The first was cost then the low tax band and the third was hopefully the best economy for my type of driving. Well the second one got blown out of the water as the car got delivered three days after the deadline! (I will start a new thread on the big implications of this). After a month I am very impressed with the car. The engine is sufficiently powerful and surprisingly quiet, although both of these were expected following reviews. I previously had a Seat Leon DSG with the 1.2TSI engine and it is similar in many ways. The auto gear changes seem smoother on the Audi than the Leon. It may be even slightly quieter although this may be due to better sound proofing in the Audi. As far as economy goes and considering the engine is probably still a bit "tight" (500 miles) it looks promising. The Leon overall was returning about 46 mpg while the Audi is looking more like 49 mpg over similar journeys. One of the bug bears of the Leon was that it seemed stuck on about 46 mpg at that typical motorway cruising speed of 75mph. The Audi is looking nearer to 50mpg in those circumstances but it is a bit early for reliable figures. Comfort levels are generally higher but the ride is a tad firmer probably due to the 17" as opposed to 16" wheels. And this is where there could be a difference. There was very little road noise from the Leon and while the Audi is acceptably quiet and in fact more so on smooth tarmac - once it changes to the rougher type or concrete surfaces it is definitely louder. I wished the Sport came with a 16" wheel option. I like the tech and love the big wheel control and menu options as I hate touch screens although I suspect we will end up with them across the board eventually. Definitely much safer to use than my Leon and the sat nav is better. I like the Audi Connect as well which I have on trial so may well get a SIM for it when it runs out. The sports seats are slightly more comfortable than the standard Leon ones. The colour, Cosmos Blue is interesting. It was the only one I really liked and what i've noticed is it changes from almost black to navy blue, to a sparkling bluey green depending on the angle and brightness of the sun. Three colours for the price of one!
All in all I am extremely happy with the purchase and on a PCP plan it is very similar in cost to the excellent Leon I had before and I think it just has the edge with that all round quality feel and refinement
Hope this is of some help to someone thinking of this model or similar.
Dave

Just to add to this, now I have done about 3500 miles I am finding the car very economical, more so than the 1.2TSi in my Leon, both being autos. There is a large range depending on precise types of drives, this being about 46-60 mpg. I would say on a typical longish journey it is at least 52mpg.
I have driven from South Essex to Guildford, Surrey around the M25 in traffic and got 59 mpg! Okay, there were long spells at 50-60 mph but even so.... Also one of the biggest differences is that the 1.2TSi quickly dropped down to 45 mpg above 70 mph, say cruising at 75 mph whereas the 1.0 litre happily gets well over 50 maybe 55 mpg at this speed. Of course this may be down to gearing as much as the engines but impressive nevertheless and I never really feel underpowered, it just perhaps changes down a bit sooner on significant hills, of which there aren't many in Essex!
Dave