Being friendly does have its benefits. For example: when I didn’t know anyone at a party in Fort Lauderdale, who did  I chat with? Just the guy who works for Audi of America.
We kept in touch since then (nearly a year), and when he was in town this week, we did dinner and spent 90 minutes talking cars, Audi, and the new A3.
Historically an undersold black sheep model, the last A3 was imported without much American-ization. It was a 5-door hatch available with a diesel engine, purchased by grown up GTI drivers more than people expressly looking for an Audi. Those folks, the ones who lease small premium sedans like the C-class and 3-series, drove A4s, and still do today.
So why the new A3, and why a sedan? Well, there’s room to grow since the A4 has become larger. Many drivers, myself included, don’t need a full-size back seat. And, like it or not, Americans prefer a trunk over a hatch.
The irony is that the A3 is the same overall dimensions as the A4, two iterations past (the B5). So really, it’s a DINK-focused, compact, nimble, sexy little package, much like that A4 was in the 90s.
Oh, and it comes better equipped than the current A4, is less expensive, and handles better. The same is true for the A3’s new crop of competition: the Mercedes CLA250 and BMW 2-series.
Acceleration from the 2 liter turbo is head-snappingly quick. The standard 1.8 engine is probably plenty of juice. Shifts are smooth thanks to a new double-clutch auto. And with Quattro, all four wheels stay gripped to the pavement.
I had a blast driving it, just a few blocks, as it felt as responsive as my Mini Cooper, but as refined as the much larger Audi A6, which I drove recently too.
Before I could process my thought, I blurted out: “this is my next car!”
One of my main fears, which turned out to be mostly accurate, was that the CLA, which starts at $30,000, would seem cheap inside. I wouldn’t expect it to be sumptuous, but I remember the E46 BMW 3-series (1999-2005) as the benchmark for small premium interiors – with soft-touch materials and good smells all around.
The A3 belies its affordability by having top-rate build quality. Good textures, tactile coatings, and nary a rattle to be heard.
I used to think that Audis were sterile. Too dark, too matte. No glitz, nothing special. But this car has changed my mind – and I think dealers will find it hard to keep them stocked.
Thanks again to Mr. Marks for giving me a secret test drive, ahead of the car’s official April debut.
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[…] To replace the strong-selling 1-series coupe and convertible that hit U.S. roads in 2008, BMW has simultaneously redesigned the 1, and renamed it the 2. That is to make space for an eventual 1-series sedan, which might compete with the 2015 Audi A3. […]