Most of you know and love the Volkswagen Golf GTI, so here’s it’s more luxurious sibling based on the same chassis. Euromobil Sdn Bhd launched the new 2006 Audi A3 Sportback in Malaysia at the Audi Roadshow at KLCC on the 18th of August 2006. We get the normally aspirated 2.0 FSI and the turbocharged 2.0 TFSI variants of this hot hatch, somehow missing the 3.2 V6. Let’s check out what this luxury hot hatch has.
The Audi A3 Sportback is the 5-door version of the 3-door Audi A3, and shares alot with the Volkswagen Golf, not just it’s chassis but also it’s engine line-up. This one has added caviar. This is Audi’s smallest sedan car, the smallest Audi is the Audi TT. Of course, you have Audi’s trademark trapezoidal grille at the front.
The 2.0 DOHC FSI engine uses gasoline direct injection, which ensures the leanest air-fuel mixture possible. This translates to good fuel consumption when driven frugally due to it’s efficiency of using fuel. Other features include a mass balancing shaft and a variable intake manifold. The 2.0 FSI makes 150hp at 6,000rpm and 200Nm of torque at just 3,000rpm. It comes with a 6-speed slushbox with Tiptronic functions, top speed is 209km/h and 0-100km/h acceleration takes 9.7 seconds. Hardly breathtaking, but you can’t expect much from 200Nm of torque pushing a car weighing more than 1,500kg.
If you fancy somemore G-force, opt for the Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI, which also has an S-Tronic option. S-Tronic is basically Audi’s name for the revolutionary dual-clutch gearbox known as DSG in Volkswagen cars. The 2.0 TFSI combines gasoline direct injection and turbocharging for the first time in the world for a production engine. Peak power output is 200hp, but what’s nice is a massive 280Nm of torque available across the rev ranges of 1,800rpm to 5,000rpm. The 0-100km/h sprint takes 6.9 seconds, and top speed is 236km/h. Now we’re talking! There is also an option for Audi’s trademark Quattro all-wheel drive. This is something not available on the Golf GTI. However it doesn’t look like Euromobil is selling the Quattro-equipped A3 here.
The accelerator pedal is bottom hinged, much like the new Honda Civic’s. Steering is electromechanical with speed-variable assistance. Safety features include ESP stability control, full size front airbags for the driver and passenger, and side airbags integrated into the seats. When you’re not on the track, the boot offers 370 litres of storage space which increases to 1120 litres when you fold the 60:40 split rear seats down.
Multi-spoke 16 inch wheels on the normally aspirated model. The turbo A3 has 5-spoke wheels, shown in the first photo of this article.
The Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 FSI comes with 16 inch wheels wrapped with 205/55/R16 tyres while the more powerful Audi A3 2.0 TFSI has 17 inch wheels wrapped with 225/45/ZR17 tyres. The Audi A3 2.0 Sportback TFSI has a sportier interior, using a 3-spoke leather wrapped steering with paddle shifts for the S-Tronic manual shift functions instead of the A3 2.0 FSI’s 4-spoke steering. The A3 2.0 TFSI also has bi-xenon HID lamps instead of the halogen lamps on the 2.0 FSI. The suspension on the turbocharged model is also sportier than it’s normally aspirated sibling.
With all the extra goodies on the Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI, it doesn’t cost that much more over the A3 Sportback 2.0 FSI – only RM255,000 compared to RM225,000 for the latter. If I could afford it, I would pay the extra RM30,000 for the award winning TFSI engine as well as the excellent DSG under the guise of S-Tronic.
Hatchbacks offer storage versatility!
Sunshades and an Audi A3 – a sure chick magnet!
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
It's a lovely car indeed. But at only Rm3k less than a A4 2.0 Multitronic I'd have to say its a tough sell. I was told however at the Audi hanger that the A4 is just remander stock and due to price reasons they brought in the A4 1.8T.
Love the interior. Audi's never fail to amaze by their quality and overall outlook of their interior. Class, functionality and looks are beyond reproach.
i saw it in klcc….i mus say i neva seen a car with quality that is soooooo solid n expensive looking…its has a great quality interior…bt u know wat…i tink the rear is cramped..not much space…the front ok….bt again…the price is so painful…
3 doors pls !
The car sure looks lovely, but the only problem with Malaysians is that they don't like Hot Hatches, take the Satria for example, how many people buy it? Young people buy it because most of them are single and do not have a family.
Also, we're missing the Audi S3, the super-model for this A3 variant. Don't even think about the 3.2L QUATTRO in Malaysia.
"A 3 litre hatchback? What the heck for?" said Rafidah…
>Volkswagen only offers all wheel drive on the 3.2 V6 Golf R32.
The Golf GT 2.0 FSI does come with AWD variant.
on the contrary maxtek , you obviously dont read the newspapers or even other articles in paul's blog.
proton had a 21% increase in sales last month, directly due to sales of the satria neo 2 dr. hatchback. So it seems, malaysians do want to buy a 2 door hatchback car after all.
Ever heard of market segmentation? Audi already has many 4 door models in their range, why not a 2dr hatch to cover all the bases?
In any growing country with a healthy birth rate, the young outnumber the old. That is why there are emphasis on the so called 'mid market' segment. In Malaysia especially city centres, young people are getting married above 30 years of age. Whereas more western cultures get married in their 40s coz 30s are the prime age to move up the corporate ladder. A hatch embodies the spirit of the youth. The A3 seemed to be marketed for those 30 to 40 unmarried (or no longer married) persons with bigger paychecks.
But I agree with szw. Call it by any other name but a Hot Hatch. Call it a sportsorwhatever. A four door is not a hatch. The Golf just barely made it. Its an exception. And this A3 is definitely not hot. Its just VW trying to get people pay for a more expensive GTi. Its definitely one for the tossers amongst us.
Oh Maxtek, if you are Singaporean you probably cant relate to the hatch-youth thing. Im 38, with 3 kids, my wife drives my Waja and I drive her Satria 1.3GL with bling rims, carbon filter box, short shifter, 1in lowered tanabe springs. Oh and I manage a business unit for a MNC.
quite gorgeous outside…but a bit dissapoinment inside…overall great car..dis car is really damn expensive…if we compare it wit beemer 1er…this car is expensive …a lot….for me…better get the a4…b4 this…i thot the price will b around alfa and beemer area…but…not as wut i expected…this car will b a rare species here…very rare…rare than the ferrari…
I guess it's a tough sell in a country like malaysia where the market recognises only a few marques as 'premium' marques. Most malaysians would go like, "For that kinda price, I'd rather get a BMW/Benz". It's so cliche.
Great for people who are individualistic, and dislike following trends/popularity. Those who know their rides well would know how to appreciate a good car, any brand.
I wouldn't call this Audi a hatch. 5-doors is never a hatch in my book. Let alone 'hot'. It's similar to the Volvo S4 (is it S4? That baby wagon). There is also a 3-Door variant of this A3 whut.
exterior quite nice even still a bit 90's..
the interior completely 90's with the stupid dashboard.
crazy price..even David Beckham will not buy Audi in Msia..if he drives one here for sure he asked Ramon Calderon to buy for him using Real Madrid..his hard earned…money A big NO for sure normal people wont buy a car which is tax is cost more than the actual car…
good overall design… nice interior but the price tag… hev to agree with narrowband –> "I guess it’s a tough sell in a country like malaysia where the market recognises only a few marques as ‘premium’ marques. Most malaysians would go like, “For that kinda price, I’d rather get a BMW/Benzâ€. " BMW 4 sure
"Sunshades and an Audi A3 – a sure chick magnet!"
Haha what a corny caption
Can I sue you for false advertising if I get an A3 and can't pull in the chicks??
good overall design & nice interior?????!!!!!!!
now i know why Proton still exist.
I don't quite like the side profile, looks a bit like an estate.
I still prefer my GTI
its not as pretty as the Golf GTi, but it certainly alot more stylish and has the presence.
Hope this will finally give the 1-series the boot in Malaysia. Annoying car.
haha…forget bout 1 er…really stupid car…
come on… look at the interior, with the rounded air-cond cover!!
u can get better interior in Opel.
Have you actually seen the A3 interior in person? It is absolutely fabulous and meticulous in everyway. The quality of materials is untouched among mass production cars and on the contrary, the design is very modern. In fact, you ask any car journo and if you look at the awards given out for car interiors, Audi almost always comes out on top.
Go sit in the Audi A3 Sportback, then go sit in an A Class, 1 series, or even cars in a segment or two above like the 5 series, 7 series, E Class, and S Class. I am sure you will find that the quality does not touch the quality found in Audi's smallest car.