Audi A3

A small car must be inexpensive - is convinced the majority of car owners. It is laid on a subconscious level: large crayfish - five rubles, small - three. The problem of choosing just difficult when suddenly offer little in five. And these are small - not even some special (non-sporting, not a discovery, not trendy), and the usual conventional hatchbacks same engines and transmissions. The compact front-wheel-trehdverka, 102-horsepower engine with the "mechanics", 16-inch alloy wheels, leather-interior and parking sensors alkantarovy, CD-changer and separate climate control - is a new A3 for 25 thousand dollars. Former Audi A3 is also worth more than their classmates. Being virtually a copy of the fourth "Golf" (the same platform and same range of engines), this machine differed only overpriced by several thousand price. Why? "Because the owner of a big Audi, if it wants to buy a car less, buy it anyway, of course, Audi», - as people talked of Ingolstadt. Maybe he miscalculated. VW Golf in millions "edition" every year, and the compact Audi at any time since the beginning of production in 1996 was made only 875 thousand in Russia for the Audi A3 firmly ingrained image of the car that his father financially secure family gets to his wife or to their adult offspring (often - "a burden" to his new Allroad or A8). Therefore, before you test drive the new "treshki" We had already decided to myself that if this situation Audi satisfied, we expect nothing from the revelation of the new A3. Otherwise, the novelty is simply obliged to be a model of style, flawless finish to excel, surprise driving characteristics. Our hopes are nearly dashed. Let's start with appearance. The appearance of the new A3, we think, if and cause controversy on the subject "like - not like" all the sooner there will be no people who will say that the car is devoid of style. At a certain resemblance to the old "treshka", which can be seen in photographs, live novelty looks much more interesting. Nice car around, looking from top to bottom, and once again carried out along the entire side view of a beautiful trailing edge. Numb on the side lights brake lights and rounded powerful rear pillars are beautiful, but the latter do not contribute to good visibility when driving in reverse - to navigate easier on the exterior mirrors. Even more impressive front. If the former model drew attention to himself only the cherished "OOOO" on the banal decor radiator, a new machine is not just decoration, but the whole "mouth" with two (upper and lower) bars. And the lights - something special. Only there was a small slope, and the "opinion» A3 was quite different: it seems from a distance of prey, but close - this is the view that "drills". Quietly watching the "eyes" of this car probably will the only one who holds the charm of it. Salon is decorated in the best traditions of Audi. Anything that catches your eye would be. Minimum-impact parts and questionable decorations. But no platitudes. Four duct entered in the top panel of soft plastic so organically, that in another way, it seems, is impossible. Shiny ring to them - not just jewelery. By rotating the rings, reguliruesh force of air flow. Large visor dash is only visible to the side - with the driver's seat it just did not notice, because it closely follows the arc that describes the leather-covered "bagel" steering (steering column, of course, can be adjusted for height and angle). The very combination of instruments - a standard, like all cars of Audi / VW. The center console is perceived as a console - it is framed as a single, symmetrical and compact unit. However, do not use it very convenient - at least initially. Under the console between the decorative "ribs" is deep and large niche. Good front seats - no chairs, namely the seat: elastic, stretched skin, protruding ridges support the back and hips, artificial suede inserts, which are not only beautiful but also make the seat slip. Suppose they have no memory, no electric adjustment, but adjust by itself the length and height, tilt back and the magnitude of lumbar support, get out from behind the wheel no longer want. And what about the back? The back can be decomposed into parts, if we have to put in the baggage is something cumbersome. With space for passengers better - in the legs become much freer. On the trip - as always bent over, dived and flopped down on the sofa back. But there are no armrests. And the handles, which would facilitate the landing, too, is no. And the tilting mechanism is not well thought - if the passenger rear couch, getting out of the car will move to skid the front seat, then return it back is not always possible 'one flick of the wrist. " Do you think all these problems can be avoided by choosing pyatidverku? Certainly not - the five-door A3 is not at all! "And if they will, most likely, all new car with a new name." - Mysteriously hinted at Audi. Now that's interesting. "A Two" is. "A Tree" is. "A-Four" is. It remains to "A-Five" or "A-Three and a half?" Audi cars are often criticized for overcrowding in the driver's footwell. On the new "three-ruble note," this claim is not covered. And indeed with the ergonomics of the new A3 situation is not bad. Progress shift paddles clear and understandable. Gearshift is on the optimal distance from the shoulder as the driver and the steering wheel. Floor the gas pedal to work - even fun. But the clutch pedal on "women's leg" - its features stretched. This pedal forgive negligence in moving, but not best suited for dynamic driving, requiring rapid and frequent squeezing engine braking. Power 1.6-liter engine is barely enough time to the new A3 suddenly said it - medlenyy car. Frankly, from A3, with its aggressive looks and sporty interior of the waiting and impressions of the speakers. And now this: the first - a promising acceleration from a long-drawn whistle of tires, the second - without the whistle, but too powerful. You look at the speedometer - and in fact, and 70 did not get! If you turn the motor on, then work the rev limiter. Move to the third - and there is nothing outstanding, despite the good traction capabilities of the engine on low revs. Transfer of long, increase the dynamics felt only in the speed range 90-130 km / h when the engine speed is approaching peak capacity. Controllability of the new A3 - stuff far more interesting than the dynamics of dispersal. 16-inch Michelin tires width of 205 mm is securely and gently hold the car in turns. Line beyond which starts sliding, pushed into the region of rather high lateral acceleration - in the car to skid on purpose to provoke. Suspension remember that, being rather soft and quiet, it does not "tupit" does not allow for large lists and swing. A steering wheel with power assistance - the fact that at low speeds it is light, and at large heavier. Feedback on the "steering wheel" is almost there. But the new A3 has received a new multi-link rear suspension, steering movements should be accurate computer simulation. He was a little goes a perfect trajectory, and at the same time he puts out a little speed (works ESP) only in cases where the changing nature of the road surface in the bend: the wheels will fall area with a pool, sand or frequent potholes. With such an outstanding maneuverability, the new A3 seems designed for a much more powerful motors. With a motor 1.6 compact Audi risks remaining for ever car for their wives and children. There is an option with a new two-liter engine, which is equipped with advanced system of "layered" Direct Injection (Fuel Stratified Injection - FSI) and replace the five-cylinder 1.8-liter turbocharged engines. Will probably be another 200-strong turboversiya the same FSI, and is sure to be a V6 of 3.2 liters, which develops 250 horsepower. But this, as you know, a very different A3 - one that immediately makes it clear what is to invest money. In the base price for the 102-strong A3 starts with about 21 thousand euros. In standard alloy wheels, leather sport seats, heated seats and headlamp washers are not included.