06-04-2004, 09:33 AM
Interior
The interior design of the Audi A3 Sportback is distinguished by two features: sportiness and elegance. This impression is conveyed by the low seat position, in typical sports car style, the high and wide centre console and the clear, generous subdivision of the dashboard.
The new Audi generation of steering wheels is being introduced in the compact class for the first time with the Sportback. These three and four-spoke steering wheels can be recognised by their trapezoidal central element, the lines of which allude to the design of the single-frame front grille.
The attractive appearance of the interior surfaces and each individual detail is the result of excellent material quality and a perfect finish at the highest level of craftsmanship. This high standard by no means benefits the passengers alone, but is also reflected in the quality appearance of the luggage compartment.
Superior ergonomic design is combined with equally outstanding aesthetic qualities throughout the car's interior: typical examples are the round air vents with aluminium surrounds, the rotary knobs on the automatic air conditioning and the numerous aluminium trims, for the door and glove compartment handles for instance.
The interior is outstanding not only for its quality, but also for the amount of space it offers. Driver and passengers enjoy outstanding roominess in all areas. Rear passengers also benefit from plenty of knee room and headroom. They too have absolutely no trouble getting into the A3 Sportback, through the wide-opening rear doors.
The luggage compartment has a capacity of 370 litres, 20 litres more than the three-door Audi A3. This can be increased to as much as 1,120 litres by folding down the rear seat back.
Engine and transmission
Offering a wide range of choice but dedicated throughout to sporting performance – this philosophy characterises the range of engines and transmissions offered for the new Audi A3 Sportback at launch. A further quality shared by all engines is their full compliance with the EU4 standard, giving owners of these cars in Germany, for example, a tax benefit of up to €613 (diesel models) and €306 (petrol models).
A new, extremely dynamic representative of the FSI engine family is celebrating its world premiere in the A3 Sportback: the 2.0 TFSI, a four-cylinder engine with turbocharger, delivers 147 kW (200 bhp). Its maximum torque of 280 Nm is available across a wide speed range from 1,800 to 5,000 rpm. This new engine is also the first production unit worldwide to combine FSI petrol direct injection with a turbocharger. This technology – which is also to be found in the Le Mans-winning Audi R8 – enables a unique synthesis of high performance, free-revving response and pulling power in all speed ranges, yet excellent fuel economy.
The range of engines is as follows:
3.2 V6 developing 184 kW (250 bhp), 320 Nm
2.0 TFSI developing 147 kW (200 bhp), 280 Nm (new)
2.0 FSI developing 110 kW (150 bhp), 200 Nm
1.6 FSI developing 85 kW (115 bhp), 155 Nm
1.6 developing 75 kW (102 bhp), 148 Nm
2.0 TDI developing 103 kW (140 bhp), 320 Nm
1.9 TDI developing 77 kW (105 bhp), 250 Nm.
Depending on the chosen engine, a 5 or 6-speed manual gearbox is fitted.
The sporty Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) is a unique alternative. This pioneering form of power transmission – inspired by motor racing technology – permits lightning-fast gear changes with uninterrupted traction thanks to its electro-hydraulically controlled twin clutch, and thus sheer driving pleasure in true sports car style.
The DSG combines the advantages of a conventional 6-speed manual gearbox with the qualities of a modern automatic transmission, thus providing a drive concept superior in every respect. The driver benefits from supreme agility and driving pleasure combined with harmonious and dynamic acceleration without interrupting the flow of power from the engine. This is combined with good economy thanks to low fuel consumption, and convenient operation.
The DSG can be ordered for the most powerful versions of the A3 Sportback: the 3.2, the 2.0 TFSI and the 2.0 TDI.
The 6-speed tiptronic transmission is available as an option for the A3 Sportback 2.0 FSI and for the 1.6.
Still with no equivalent in the premium compact class: quattro permanent four-wheel drive. Even the power developed by the highest-performance versions of the A3 Sportback can be converted ideally into forward motion with this system, which serves as the basis for dynamic driving and active safety at the same time.
The interior design of the Audi A3 Sportback is distinguished by two features: sportiness and elegance. This impression is conveyed by the low seat position, in typical sports car style, the high and wide centre console and the clear, generous subdivision of the dashboard.
The new Audi generation of steering wheels is being introduced in the compact class for the first time with the Sportback. These three and four-spoke steering wheels can be recognised by their trapezoidal central element, the lines of which allude to the design of the single-frame front grille.
The attractive appearance of the interior surfaces and each individual detail is the result of excellent material quality and a perfect finish at the highest level of craftsmanship. This high standard by no means benefits the passengers alone, but is also reflected in the quality appearance of the luggage compartment.
Superior ergonomic design is combined with equally outstanding aesthetic qualities throughout the car's interior: typical examples are the round air vents with aluminium surrounds, the rotary knobs on the automatic air conditioning and the numerous aluminium trims, for the door and glove compartment handles for instance.
The interior is outstanding not only for its quality, but also for the amount of space it offers. Driver and passengers enjoy outstanding roominess in all areas. Rear passengers also benefit from plenty of knee room and headroom. They too have absolutely no trouble getting into the A3 Sportback, through the wide-opening rear doors.
The luggage compartment has a capacity of 370 litres, 20 litres more than the three-door Audi A3. This can be increased to as much as 1,120 litres by folding down the rear seat back.
Engine and transmission
Offering a wide range of choice but dedicated throughout to sporting performance – this philosophy characterises the range of engines and transmissions offered for the new Audi A3 Sportback at launch. A further quality shared by all engines is their full compliance with the EU4 standard, giving owners of these cars in Germany, for example, a tax benefit of up to €613 (diesel models) and €306 (petrol models).
A new, extremely dynamic representative of the FSI engine family is celebrating its world premiere in the A3 Sportback: the 2.0 TFSI, a four-cylinder engine with turbocharger, delivers 147 kW (200 bhp). Its maximum torque of 280 Nm is available across a wide speed range from 1,800 to 5,000 rpm. This new engine is also the first production unit worldwide to combine FSI petrol direct injection with a turbocharger. This technology – which is also to be found in the Le Mans-winning Audi R8 – enables a unique synthesis of high performance, free-revving response and pulling power in all speed ranges, yet excellent fuel economy.
The range of engines is as follows:
3.2 V6 developing 184 kW (250 bhp), 320 Nm
2.0 TFSI developing 147 kW (200 bhp), 280 Nm (new)
2.0 FSI developing 110 kW (150 bhp), 200 Nm
1.6 FSI developing 85 kW (115 bhp), 155 Nm
1.6 developing 75 kW (102 bhp), 148 Nm
2.0 TDI developing 103 kW (140 bhp), 320 Nm
1.9 TDI developing 77 kW (105 bhp), 250 Nm.
Depending on the chosen engine, a 5 or 6-speed manual gearbox is fitted.
The sporty Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) is a unique alternative. This pioneering form of power transmission – inspired by motor racing technology – permits lightning-fast gear changes with uninterrupted traction thanks to its electro-hydraulically controlled twin clutch, and thus sheer driving pleasure in true sports car style.
The DSG combines the advantages of a conventional 6-speed manual gearbox with the qualities of a modern automatic transmission, thus providing a drive concept superior in every respect. The driver benefits from supreme agility and driving pleasure combined with harmonious and dynamic acceleration without interrupting the flow of power from the engine. This is combined with good economy thanks to low fuel consumption, and convenient operation.
The DSG can be ordered for the most powerful versions of the A3 Sportback: the 3.2, the 2.0 TFSI and the 2.0 TDI.
The 6-speed tiptronic transmission is available as an option for the A3 Sportback 2.0 FSI and for the 1.6.
Still with no equivalent in the premium compact class: quattro permanent four-wheel drive. Even the power developed by the highest-performance versions of the A3 Sportback can be converted ideally into forward motion with this system, which serves as the basis for dynamic driving and active safety at the same time.
Aussi vite que possible, aussi lentement que nécessaire...
