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It’s been 24 years since Audi introduced the A3 as a compact hatch back based on the same ‘A’ (PQ34) platform as other cars in the Volkswagen group, including the Mk3 Golf of that era.

Tested ‘KV20 XUL’: Audi A3 Sportback 35 TDI 150PS S line S tronic, £31,655 OTR.

Range-entry model: Technik 30 TFSI 6-speed, £23,300 OTR.

Originally designed by Belgian Dirk van Braeckel, the success of the model convinced Audi that other body variants of the A3 were feasible and the first Sportback arrived in 2004.

Thanks to low demand and the pressures of VW Group's post-dieselgate cost-cutting measures, the three-door A3 met its demise last year, handing its ‘Sportback’ moniker over to this larger, all-new, five-door iteration, while the new MQB Evo platform has also allowed the four-door saloon variant to grow in size, making its rear seat passengers feel a little more welcome.

I recently enjoyed a week with KV20 XUL, an A3 Sportback presented in S line trim and finished in Glacier White metallic (£575). Pop the kettle on and crack open the Hobnobs…

Apart from the trusty VW Group engine range, the 2020 A3 is entirely new from the rubber up. Style wise, Audi will have you believe that the new interior and exterior is heavily inspired by Lamborghini. To be honest, I don’t see it. But, that’s not to say the new A3 Sportback doesn’t look classy, because it most certainly does.

The car is three centimetres longer and wider than the previous model while the wheelbase length has remained the same. This allows for more interior space for passengers including the boot which is now 380 litres with the seats up, and 1,200 litres with the seats folded down.

Another change is the introduction of mild-hybrid technology – something that helps to give the car increased responsiveness and efficiency. But, more on that later.

Even after eight years in production, the third-generation A3 remained a hugely capable car, with one of the best interiors in the business. That is something Audi was keen to continue with this new car, which sees big changes being made on the technology front.

The biggest change is directly in front of the driver. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display comes as standard across the new A3 range and shows all your driving information on a crisp, 10.3in screen, with various layouts available.

The seats come in the usual Audi materials and feature contrast stitching, there's a new design for the gear shifter, and the centre console has changed shape to become more ergonomic.

An excellent driving position is attained with loads of steering wheel and seat adjustment. All of the controls and screens you tend to use frequently are within clear sight and easy reach, helped by the central area of the dashboard being angled towards the driver. That includes simple physical switches to operate the climate controls, which really helps with ease of use.

At launch, there are four trim available – Technik, Sport, S line (as tested) and Edition 1 which will eventually give way to a top-end Vorsprung model.

Standard kit includes 16-inch alloys, LED headlights and DRLs, MMI Navigation Plus with 10.1” touch screen, Audi Virtual Cockpit 10.25” display and Audi Pre-sense front with pedestrian recognition.

Sport ups the alloys to 17-inch, adds Audi Drive Select (Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Efficiency and Individual), leather furniture, climate control and dimming door mirrors. Stepping up to the S line trim adds 18-inch alloys, LED rear lights and dynamic rear indicators, privacy glass, front sport seats and an LED interior lighting pack.

Top-end Edition 1 is superbly equipped with oversized 19-inch diamond-cut alloys, Audi matrix LED headlights, a black styling pack, Audi Virtual Cockpit ‘Plus’ and a sporty, flat-bottomed leather steering wheel.

In addition to the expansive list of kit on the S line trim, the test car was also fitted with Audi’s Driver assistance pack (£1,750) which includes high beam assist, adaptive cruise control and cruise assist, road sign recognition and parking assist.

Also ticked on the options list was a memory feature for driver (£1,150), matric LED exterior lighting pack (£675), storage pack (£175), heated front seats (£330), extended ambient lighting pack (£110), four-way lumbar support for the front seats (£260), ‘progressive’ steering (£240), and a Bang & Olufsen premium 3D sound system (£760).

The range-entry engine is a 108 bhp / 200 Nm 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol (badged 30 TFSI), which comes mated to a six-speed manual transmission or seven-speed S tronic auto. It isn’t the best match for the now larger A3, but it can still manage the 0-62 mph sprint in a respectable 10.6 seconds and top out at 127 mph.

The other petrol engine is a 148 bhp / 250 Nm 1.5-litre unit (badged 35 TFSI), which can reach 62 mph in 8.4 seconds, achieve around 46 mpg with a top speed of 139 mph. You can choose it with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox. This is an excellent powerplant and the same one as in my own 2020 SEAT Leon Xcellence, which I thoroughly enjoy driving when I’m not pootling about in fancy press cars.

On the diesel front, a new 114 bhp / 300 Nm 2.0-litre engine (30 TDI) replaces the 1.6-litre variant found in its predecessor. While not brimming with power, it can still send the A3 from 0-62 mph in 10.1 seconds, peaking at 128 mph. It is only available with a six-speed manual gearbox.

A second, more potent diesel is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder (35 TDI) unit that offers 148 bhp / 360 Nm and is said to achieve around 60 mpg. It is available only with the seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic. 

Following the launch engine line-up early next year will be a second version of the 1.5 TFSI with a mild hybrid system (MHEV). In addition, Audi will gradually expand the A3 range by adding other TFSI and TDI powerplants, including some with quattro drive, as well as a plug-in hybrid in two power levels.

The Audi A3 has always been a smooth, assured car to drive and, now riding on an ‘Evo’ upgrade of the existing MQB platform, there's little about the latest A3 that tears up the rulebook and the A3 has similarly mature and slick manners as before.

The lesser-powered models have a standard suspension set-up while those offering 148bhp get a more sophisticated system. While I have only driven the A3 in this S line trim, I reckon the standard setup will be the financial sweet spot in the range, providing a good combination of handling and comfort. It’s less firm than sporty rivals, which will suit the majority of A3 buyers.

However, if you want something a bit more dynamic, S line models have sports suspension, which sits 15mm lower to the road. This provides a firmer ride, not helped by the S line’s standard-fit 18-inch alloy wheels. It’s not uncomfortable, but we reckon the standard springs suit the A3 better – and they’re a no-cost option.

In typical Audi fashion, the A3 Sportback remains very composed during cornering, but enthusiastic drivers will find the steering a little too numb for enthusiastic drivers. That said, it does translate into nice, light steering around town.

Not recommended. Until the quattro arrives early next year, your front-wheel drive A3 is best kept to a spot of mild green-laning.

While the Audi A3’s compact dimensions means it’s unlikely to be a popular tow car, it should be up to the job of towing a light trailer or even a small caravan. With its 360Nm of torque, the 2.0-litre 35 TDI will be the pick of the range for towing. With this engine, the A3 Sportback has a 1600kg towing capacity, while its 1410kg kerb weight means inexperienced towers should be able to lug around 1200kg going by the widely-accepted 85 per cent rule.

During the week’s test, I spent a total of 13.5 hours driving the car over a total of 433 mixed road-miles at an average speed of 32 mph. The average fuel consumption was recorded at 60.6 mpg, which exceeded the official 57.6mpg WLTP.

No attempt was made or conscious effort given to achieving an above-average mpg at any point during the test week. I do, however, deploy the active cruise control at every available opportunity.

Euro NCAP – the independent body responsible for crash testing new cars – is yet to give the 2020 A3 Sportback a safety rating. I’d be very surprised if it received anything less than five stars, though, seeing as the mechanically similar Volkswagen Golf received the top five out of five safety rating.

There’s a huge level of passive and active safety equipment including Audi’s pre sense front – the marque’s automatic braking system – across the 2020 model range. The optional Driver Assistance Package adds useful lane change and exit warnings. The former alerts the driver to a vehicle in their blind spot when changing lanes, while the exit warning will warn you of vehicles and cyclists approaching from behind when the car is at a standstill.

Rear parking sensors are standard while you should look for examples with the Comfort and Sound Pack if you’re concerned about parking. This features a reversing camera as well as parking assist with parking system plus. This sounds complicated but essentially lets the car reverse into parallel or perpendicular parking spaces for you at the touch of a button.

The 2020 Audi A3 Sportback is a masterclass in how to put premium gloss on a humble hatchback. The latest A3 iteration combines angular and aggressive new styling with a swanky cabin bristling with the latest technology. The foundations beneath play it a little safer but Audi knows its customers and the style and content are enough to make it a desirable alternative to its mainstream rivals.

Would I? You bet…quicker than you can say Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

2020: March		Revealed online in lieu of the cancelled Geneva Motor Show.

2020: August		First deliveries to UK customers.

Key Facts: Audi A3 Sportback 35 TDI 150PS S line S tronic

Engine: Front-mounted, inline 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel.

Power /torque: 148hp (150PS) @ 3,000-4,200rpm / 360Nm @ 1,600-2,750rpm.

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic gearbox (S tronic).

Fuel tank capacity: 50 litres (11 Imperial gallons).

Emissions: 128 CO₂/km (in diesel S line trim)

2020/21 BiK (Benefit in Kind): 28%, 29% (2021/22), 30% (2022/23).

Warranty & roadside assistance: 3 years / 60,000 miles.

Audi has revealed the new 2020 Audi S3 range, based on the all-new A3 launched just last month. At 306bhp, it’s more powerful than before, and is available as a four-door saloon or a five-door ‘Sportback’ hatchback.

The S3 will take pride of place on top of the 2020 Audi A3 model range…at least until the new RS3 arrives next year. Prices start at £37,900 for the hatchback and £38,465 for the saloon, with the first customer deliveries beginning during the coming autumn.

The all-new Audi A3 already wears impressively sporty looks as standard, but the S3 adds to that with a large diffuser and four exhaust tips. Darkened headlights, a hexagonal grille mesh, bigger wheels, aluminium mirror caps and S3 badges also mark the car out as the current range-topper.

The starting price of around £400 more than the outgoing model will explain the generous list of standard equipment. Every Audi S3 gets LED headlights, Nappa leather upholstery, smartphone mirroring and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster. New driver assistance technology also features, including swerve assist and lane-departure warning.

Only one trim level will be available at launch on both the saloon and Sportback, but a fully kitted-out ‘Vorsprung’ specification is expected to arrive towards the end of the year. That is likely to feature matrix LED headlights, larger alloy wheels, an upgraded digital instrument cluster and additional safety tech such as adaptive cruise control and automated parking assistance. Prices are yet to be revealed for this model, but Audi usually puts a substantial price gap between Vorsprung trim and standard models.

The interior will be carried over from the new regular A3 range, so you can expect an eye-catching and hi-tech cabin. A central touchscreen and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital dials – both measuring around 10 inches – will be fitted as standard, and the gear selector will be a small toggle switch similar to those found in the new Skoda Octavia vRS and Cupra Leon. Unlike the new Volkswagen Golf and its derivatives, the climate control functions will still be operated by physical buttons.

Over the standard A3, S3 versions will feature a sportier steering wheel design, while other touches like aluminium pedals and suede-like seat inserts also feature.

Like the outgoing S3, the new model will feature a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, which has been used across various VW Group performance models. It produces a healthy 306bhp which is a slight increase over the previous S3, and the top speed will be electronically limited to 155mph. Reassuring quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic gearbox will again feature, giving the new model a 0-62mph sprint time of just 4.8 seconds, regardless of body style.

Audi says the S3 offers great performance and cruising ability, enabled by adjusting the settings for the suspension, engine, gearbox and exhaust note. It means the car can be made quieter and more comfortable on long motorway journeys, with firmer and louder settings available for twisty and more entertaining back roads.

With regards to fuel economy, the official 39.2mpg is none too shabby given the performance on offer - although the 178g/km CO2 figure does mean that company-car drivers will face a top-tier Benefit-in-Kind liability of 37 per cent.

Camouflaged quattro versions of new Audi compact hatchback tackle a course also used for the Azores rally to demonstrate latest quattro technology.

Audi has been testing camouflaged versions of the incoming fourth-generation A3 hatchback, demonstrating the latest quattro system as well as other technological advancements.

Tackling roads which snake around the island of Sao Miguel in Portugal’s Azores archipelago, the new quattro all-wheel drive is said to maximize stability, grip and driving pleasure as well as efficiency. With support from the adaptive suspension and the progressive steering, this helps the car offer “composed, surefooted and incisive driving characteristics,” says Audi.

Audi’s engineers have tailored the electronic torque distribution control specifically to suit the new A3. During normal driving, the majority of that power is sent to the front axles, but when reduced traction is detected, up to 100% of drive torque may be transmitted to the rear.

Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) further improves the driving characteristics of the sporty hatch. When the car enters a corner at high speed, the program applies the brakes slightly to the two wheels on the inside, allowing it to turn into the bend and follow the steering angle. This makes the handling even more agile, fluid, and safe.

This feature can be manually adjusted via three settings: ESC On (safe and stable acceleration), Sport (allows drifting in a controlled, safe manner) and ESC Off (the amount of wheel slip is unlimited).

This new quattro system will be optional on some variants of the 2020 A3 and will come as standard on future performance models such as the S3 and RS3 hot hatch.

The all-new Audi A3 is expected to be one of the star premieres at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show next month.

All-New 2020 Audi A3 Goes Quattro Testing in the Azores

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