Road Test

Audi A3

Test date 02 July 2008  Price as tested £24,150

For  Engine refinement, almost a proper four-seater, surpisingly entertaining to drive

Against Poor rear visibility, looks a little odd with the roof up, quite expensive

How much ?

  • Price as tested £24,150
  • Price as tested £24,150

How fast

  • 0-30mph 2.8 sec
  • 0-60mph 7.7 sec
  • 0-100mph 21.9 sec
  • 0-150mph no data
  • 0-200mph  no data
  • 30-70mph  no data
  • 0-400m  16.4 / 87.6 sec/mph
  • 0-1000m  29.4 / 113.8 sec/mph
  • 30-50mph in 3rd/4th  4.2 / 5.2
  • 40-60mph in 4th/5th  5.6 / 7.6 sec
  • 50-70mph in 5th  7.9 sec
  • 60-0mph  no data
  • Top speed  no data
  • Noise at 70mph  71 dbA

How thirsty?

  • Test average  29.4 mpg
  • Test best/worst  38.2 / 13.6

Government figures

  • Combined/urban  38.7 / 28.2 mpg
  • CO2 emissions  174 g/km

How big?

  • Length  4238 mm
  • Width  1765 mm
  • Height  1424 mm
  • Wheelbase  2578 mm
  • Weight  1425 kg
  • Fuel tank  55.0 litres

Engine

  • Layout 4 cyls Inline , 1798 cc
  • Max power 158 bhp at 5000 rpm
  • Max torque 184 ft at 1500 rpm
  • Specific output 88 bhp per litre
  • Power to weight 111 bhp per tonne
  • Installation F Transverse
  • Bore/stoke 82.5x84.1 mm
  • Compression ratio 9.6:1
  • Valve gear 4 per cyl4
  • Ignition and fuel no data, Unleaded

Gearbox

  • Type 6-speed Manual
  • 1st 3.778 / 5.4
  • 2nd 2.063 / 9.9
  • 3rd 1.455 / 14
  • 4th 1.107 / 18.4
  • 5th 0.875 / 23.3
  • 6th 0.725 / 28.1
  • Final drive 3.647

Suspension

  • Front MacPherson struts with lower wishbones, aluminium subframe, tubular anti-roll bar, track stabilising steering roll radius
  • Rear Four-link with separate spring/shock absorber, subframe, tubular anti-roll bar

Steering

  • Type Servotronic - electro-mechanical, speed sensitive, power assisted, rack-and-pinion
  • Lock to lock 3.00

Brakes

  • Front no data
  • Rear no data

Wheel & tyres

  • Size front 7.5J x 17'' '5-spoke star' Alloy in
  • Size rear 7.5J x 17'' '5-spoke star' Alloy in
  • Made of Alloy
  • Tyres front 225/45 R17
  • Tyres rear 225/45 R17

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