Audi A3 Sedan 1.0 TFSI Fast or furious?

Once upon a time, driving a car with a 1.0-litre engine meant a frustrating trundle down the highway, a struggle to keep up with speedier traffic. Those days are over. Automotive engineering has leapt ahead, and with the aid of turbocharging, 1.0-litres are now well capable of delivering power that holds it own. The new Audi A3 Sedan 1.0 is a prime example of how well a contemporary small engine can work in a decent-sized premium car. Here is our honest roadtest.

1) What is it?

The Audi A3 Sedan has been subtly updated to keep it fresh midway through its life cycle. The changes to its looks are relatively minor, mainly restricted to new LED lights front and rear, as well as a small redesign to its bumpers and grille. The most important change, however, is under the bonnet. The A3 Sedan now boasts an all-new 1.0-litre TFSI engine that produces 116bhp and 200Nm of torque.

2) What’s it like?

The engine may not sound like a roaring tiger, but it doesn’t need too. What’s important is the 200Nm of torque, which gives the A3 Sedan 1.0 plenty of pull to accelerate and overtake with minimal fuss. In no way does the car feel strained, undoubtedly helped by the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The three-cylinder petrol engine even feels peppy as you seek to zip through traffic.

As you’d expect from an Audi, the car rides in a state of hushed elegance, almost like a bigger car. Best of all is how the A3 Sedan drives when you start to get a bit vigorous. Already highly-acclaimed thanks to the versatile MQB platform its shares with its cousin, the Volkswagen Golf, the A3 Sedan is a fine handler. It tackles corners with the kind of verve that makes it a driver’s delight. Top marks all round!

3) Should I buy one?

Most certainly. Why would you not? The A3 Sedan 1.0 ticks a lot of boxes. With its new engine the car is also more efficient and cheaper to run. Perhaps the only slight niggle is that it doesn’t look a lot different from before, but that’s just nit-picking. This car is the complete package if you are looking for a relatively affordable car from a premium brand. Bigger is not always better it seems.

For more car reviews and motoring tips, look out for regular posts in this series.

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