[Taboleo] Compact Yet Agile... 'New Audi A3 40 TFSI'

Emphasizing Vehicle Character with Sporty Design
20 Horsepower Increase... Boasting Dynamic Driving Feel
Perfect for Our Roads with Many Alleyways

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Audi’s compact sedan ‘A3’ has returned under the name ‘New Audi A3 40 TFSI’ with improved fuel efficiency and a more spacious feel. Unlike the previously rounded A3, the new model features a tougher exterior that is even more attractive. Especially welcome is the significant enhancement in driving performance, matching the bold exterior. We experienced the New Audi A3 on a 121 km round trip from Cheongdam-dong, Seoul to Odusan Unification Observatory, a vehicle perfectly suited for sporty driving in the city.

Bold Exterior, a Sense of Solid ‘Strength’

Until now, the A3 was known for its cute appearance, a characteristic born from its hatchback base emphasizing practicality. However, the New Audi A3 has undergone a complete transformation with a tough look. The sporty design clearly defines the vehicle’s character.

The front features striking headlights, a wide single frame grille, and a large lower air intake that emphasize a sporty look as if ready to sprint forward. The aggressive air intake design further highlights these characteristics. Audi’s frequently used design elements have been extensively adopted, making the car appear larger as a bonus.

The side profile boasts a coupe-style roofline that adds elegance while helping achieve a lower drag coefficient. All trims actively incorporate chrome window moldings, panoramic sunroof, and frameless room mirrors, emphasizing the vehicle’s sporty performance, which was impressive. The LED taillamps also offer a satisfying design compared to others in the segment.

The changes in the New Audi A3 are even more noticeable inside. A new 10.25-inch virtual cockpit and 10.1-inch MMI navigation plus are installed. Especially the instrument cluster displays a variety of detailed information all at once, so no additional operation is needed while driving.

The low and practical center fascia design makes the interior feel more spacious. Because the center fascia is low, it allows for relatively wide visibility, which is another advantage. The wireless charging area at the bottom is also sufficiently large to comfortably fit a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.

The New Audi A3’s overall length is 4505 mm, width 1815 mm, height 1425 mm, and wheelbase 2634 mm, all larger than the previous model. This results in a relatively spacious interior for the segment. Although the rear seat is somewhat tight for three adult men, the ample knee and headroom make it comfortable for two passengers. The trunk space is 425 liters, which is large for its class.

Compact Size with Sporty Driving Feel, Perfect for Our Road Conditions

Starting the engine and pressing the accelerator pedal revealed impressive power. The accelerator is sensitively tuned, giving a feeling similar to the initial acceleration of an electric vehicle, which was striking. There is a slight turbo lag typical of turbo models, but it is minor enough to be easily forgotten if not paying close attention.

The secret to the dynamic driving performance lies in the improved engine power. Equipped with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline direct injection turbocharged engine and a 7-speed S tronic automatic transmission, it delivers 204 horsepower, about 20 hp more than the previous model, supporting dynamic and sporty driving performance. There was no sense of sluggishness often felt in vehicles of this class; rather, it felt more than sufficient. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 7 seconds, with a top speed of 209 km/h.

The driving dynamics are excellent. Even during sudden lane changes, the vehicle’s behavior remains stable, providing confident handling. Sudden starts and stops were also satisfactorily managed. The car moves lightly without being unruly, retaining Audi’s characteristic solid charm. Considering domestic road conditions and the segment, sporty driving is fully achievable without drag racing.

Ride comfort and noise insulation are adequate for the class. While the previous generation was somewhat stiff, this model absorbs minor shocks more flexibly. Of course, due to the segment’s nature, there is some bouncing depending on road conditions, but the sedan is tuned primarily for comfortable ride quality.

The New Audi A3 is equipped with a 48V mild hybrid system. While the mild hybrid system does not dramatically improve fuel efficiency, it certainly enhances it.

The manufacturer’s official fuel efficiency rating is 13 km/L combined (city: 11.4 km/L, highway: 15.5 km/L). However, during a 62 km drive in automatic mode, it achieved 17.1 km/L, and during a 59 km drive in dynamic mode, it recorded 13.6 km/L. Considering frequent sudden stops and starts during the test drive to check performance, these are satisfactory figures.

The New Audi A3 is recommended for those who enjoy sporty driving in urban areas. Its small and light nature makes it easy to navigate narrow alleys and convenient for parking. The sporty performance from a premium brand goes without saying.

The price of the ‘New Audi A3 40 TFSI’ starts at 40.2 million KRW for the base Comfort trim, and 44.13 million KRW for the Premium trim.