New Car Review Of The 2006 Audi A3 Near-Luxury Compact Wagon

Base MSRP Range: $24,740 - $26,140

Base Invoice Range: $22,998 - $31,561

MSRP As Tested: $33,910

Versions: 2.0-liter Turbo, 3.2-liter

Vehicle Category: Near-Luxury Compact Wagon

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive .

Standard Engine: 2.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, Turbocharged, ">I-4, FSI (Fuel Straight Injection), 200 - horsepower at 5100 rpm and 207 lb-ft torque at 1800 rpm.

Optional Engine as Tested: 3.2-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, ">V-6,250 - horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 236 lb-ft torque at 2800 rpm.

Transmission: Six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic (DSG standard on 3.2-liter, available on 2.0-liter Turbo), Six-speed manual.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 25/31.

Standard Safety Features: Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Active head restraints for front seats, Remote keyless locking, Front and torso side airbags, Head protecting curtain side airbags for front passengers (Sideguard Airbag System), Four-year Roadside Assistance from Road America, Anti-theft alarm system, ">Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) with vacuum power assist, Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD), Hydraulic brake assist, Power central locking and safety unlock feature for collisions, 3-point safety belts with pre-tensioners for all five passengers, First-aid kit, Child safety locks in rear doors.

Competition: Acura TSX, ">BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35, Lexus IS300 Saab 9-3, Volvo S40 and V50.

REVIEW:

Audi’s A3 has been available in Europe since the 1990’s but was only introduced to North America in May of 2005. Resembling parent company Volkswagen’s Golf (only bigger and more refined), the A3 is a great medium between station wagon and sports sedan. Introduced for 2006 is the 3.2-liter all-wheel-drive Quattro, which joins the 2.0-liter turbocharged front-wheel-drive model as a car that America never knew it needed.

The A3 is a great design with lots of space for everything. Moreover it’s a lot of fun to drive, has a fantastic manumatic transmission system, and is just about the hippest thing on the market.

Stateside, we’ll be getting the second-generation A3, which by no means is unfortunate. The A3 is what a TT buyer might purchase because they need more room, either for cargo or kids. Or both. It maintains that serendipitous feel of a Golf - in a much more grown-up package. With a host of amenities and a truckload of standard safety features, the A3 is a good choice whose sales numbers don’t reflect the value and fun to be found under the hood.

Our guess is that it’ll take a while to grow on the American buyer, but once it does, it’ll be a firm competitor against other, more familiar, sedan-like wagons.

EXTERIOR:

Again, the ’06 A3 looks a lot like a VW Golf, only better and with five doors. Choose from 11 exterior paint options - from the normal black and white to garish “Venetian Violet Metallic.” Yes - Audi offers a purple car. Hey, to each his (or her) own.

The A3’s 17-inch, five-spoke wheels (18-inch wheels are available on the 3.2-liter) are classic Audi, and all-season 225/45 tires get the A3’s good looks started right at ground level. The front is graced with aerodynamic, clear-glass headlights that cover Ellipsoid halogen projector headlights. For those who choose the Sport or Premium packages, Bi-Xenons lamps can be added. The headlights fit well into the striking single-frame grill, which is also characteristically Audi.

Side windows are rimmed in black, and outside mirrors feature a de-fogging device and can be adjusted from controls inside the vehicle. The rear window has a wiper and a de-fog feature, as well. It’s set in a tailgate that can be remotely opened. Dual exhaust pipes are as fashionable as they are functional.

INTERIOR:

Typical to Audi, the interior is fun, functional and comfy. Seats - which come in three colors, provide plenty of support and keep passengers at ease even on long drives - are made of cloth in the 2.0-liter and leather in the 3.2-liter (although leather is available in the 2.0-liter). The 3.2-liter also features sport seats for the driver and front passenger, which are available as part of the Sport Package on the 2.0-liter. There’s ample head- and legroom, and front seats are manually-adjustable for just the right feel. Active head restraints can be found on driver and front passenger seats only.

All gauges are large and easy to read, and are backlit with an auto-bright control that adjusts depending on the amount of light in the car. It also features a digital clock and service interval indicator - always nice to have. Map lights will do you well on those long trips where no one wants to stop for directions.

As far as controls go, the A3 will give you little grief - unless you go for the optional navigation system, which takes a little time to understand (but is admittedly less complicated than others.) Automatic climate control with pollen filter has a dual-zone feature that at first glance is more complicated than it really is. Round air vents mimic the roundness found in Audi’s logo, and the silver aluminum trim is sophisticated without being too intimidating or cold. Cruise control, front and rear power outlets and power windows and doors come standard, as well. A full-size center console features storage and two cup-holders; more cup-holders can be found in the fold-down center armrest in the back seat.

Standard, too, is the great sound system, which is an Audi Concert II that features a 140-watt AM/FM/CD player and is both XM and Sirius Digital Satellite Radio-ready. The 10 speakers and subwoofer provide a clear, quality sound. But it doesn’t come close to the optional Bose Premium Sound System with Radio Symphony, which adds XM or Sirius, and a 6-CD changer in the well-lit glove compartment.

Also well-lit is the rear cargo area, which boats 19.52 cubic feet of storage space - but we’d like to see a little more. Back seats fold down 60/40, but don’t lay quite flat.

PERFORMANCE:

The A3 comes in two models: the 2.0-liter turbo and the new 3.2-liter all-wheel-drive. Both feature Fuel Straight Injection (FSI), something that, combined with the 2.0-liter’s turbocharger, is a world-wide first.

The front-wheel-drive 2.0-liter inline-4 cylinder boasts 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft or torque from its 6-speed manual transmission. You can opt for the Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), which is like a manual without the clutch pedal. DSG comes standard on the 3.2-liter.

The 3.2-liter, which comes out in Dec. 2005, features Audi’s famous Quattro all-wheel-drive and boosts you up to a V6 engine. It puts out 250 ponies (at 6,300 RPM) and 236 lb-ft of torque (at 2,800 RPM,) which gives it a fun kick for a car that’s relatively light (3,329 pounds curb weight.) The DSG transmission can be switched into automatic mode or into a modified manual that makes shifting easier and quicker. It’s equally as responsive as a regular manual, although it does lag a bit at lower RPMs.

Both models have McPherson struts in the front, with four-link independent suspension in the rear. The Sport Package upgrades you to Sport Suspension, which is stiffer and more functional for the enthusiast.

RIDE/HANDLING:

The DSG, Direct shift gearbox, is not a true automatic transmission. It is really a manual which can act like an automatic. It is similar to the SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox) from BMW, but much faster. It uses a dual clutch setup instead of a single clutch like BMW. When first gear is engaged, second is pre-selected so when the gears are changed using the paddle shifters on the steering column, there is no delay when engaging the next gear. It is lighting fast and probably the best of this type of gearbox on the market. It can also be run in automatic mode and will shift for you.

The handling is truly sports car-like. The reason is that the A3 is essentially a TT station wagon. It's even built on the same platform as the TT, and because it uses the same DSG, it can be whipped around just like its cousin. It is a blast to drive, with great cornering on twisty roads, and the ride is still smooth on the highways. The handling is better than competitors like the Volvo V50, but not as fun as a Mini - and one does have to make a concession because of the size difference between the two.

The ride quality is fairly good, and is satisfactory for all passengers on road trips. However, highway imperfections can be felt in the rear, something that’s even more apparent with the optional Sport Suspension. The A3 does feel stable and solid, and its low wind-rush (even at high speeds) and low engine noise provide a quiet ride.

This is one fun car.

SAFETY:

Audi had come to be known for safety, thanks to its association with Volkswagen and its ability to consistently offer standard, options that most other companies charge more for. Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with vacuum power assists, Electric Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and hydraulic brake assist comes standard, as does anti-skid traction control, so you don’t have to worry about whether you’ll be able to stop in time. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) monitors a host of measurements and adjusts the car’s speed, the engine’s RPMs and can brake as necessary to keep you on the road and off the back of a tow truck. Front and side airbags are provided for the driver and front passenger, as well as rear-passenger side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags.

All five passengers are kept in place by three-point safety belts that have automatic pre-tensioners. Front passengers also have adjustable shoulder restraints and force limiters.

For the little ones, the rear seats come complete with Lower Anchorage and Tethers for Children (LATCH), child safety locks for rear doors, and a first-aid kit, just in case.

To keep would-be robbers out, there’s an anti-theft alarm system. The remote keyless locking system also locks automatically as the car reaches a certain speed. The doors will automatically unlock in the event of a collision - they’re programmed to unlock if airbags are deployed.

And should something unfortunate happen while you’re on the road, you can rest assured as the four-year, 50,000 mile limited warranty includes a four-year, Road America roadside assistance program. That warranty also includes free scheduled maintenance for the same amount of time.

CONCLUSION:

There are few cars quite like an Audi. It’s able to mix sportiness with elegance, refinement and youthfulness all in one. It makes sense that the A3s are such big sellers overseas.

If you’re going with an A3, we’d definitely recommend getting the Open Air package. That giant sunroof is perfect for cruises on the Pacific Coast Highway through mountains, or on twisting country roads. This sunroof gives the car an almost convertible feel in a hardtop product. It’s an option you’ll find on few other vehicles (like the Cadillac SRX), but one that we’d love to see added to more cars. Its got a wind deflector, too, so your hairdo won’t get ruined before you arrive at your destination.

Once again, Audi scores with its A3.

PROS: This a unique vehicle with loads of versatility. It is a blast to drive, comfy for long drives and very practical.

CONS: Passengers seated in the back seat may experience some vibration. The cargo area is on the small side.

Ratings (1-10)

• Style: 10
• Performance: 8
• Price:9
• Handling: 9
• Ride: 9
• Comfort: 9
• Quality: 9
• Overall: 9

More Data

Where Built: Germany

Major Options: Premium Package, Sport Package, Convenience Package, Sound Package, Cold Weather Package. Rear side airbags, Navigation system, Upgraded leather upholstery, Satellite radio, Steering-linked bi-xenon headlights, All-season tires, ,

Seating: 5.

Number of Rows: 2

Length in Inches: 168.7

Warranties: 4 years/50,000 miles Bumper to bumper, 12 years/unlimited miles Corrosion protection, 4 years/50,000 miles Free roadside assistance, 4 years/50,000 mile Free schuled maintenance.

Weight in Pounds: 3,329 lbs - 3,263 lbs.

Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not available.

Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not available.

Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Available.

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 14.5

Destination Charge: $720