With the sport utility marketplace now tapering off due to the recent spike in gasoline prices, Audi's 2008 A3 four-door hatchback may be a welcome alternative for those looking for some cargo-carrying capacity wrapped in a very sporty and efficient package.
The A3, dubbed a sportback by Audi, is a carryover design from 2007. Although constructed on the Volkswagen Golf platform, the A3's profile is clearly in keeping with Audi's euro roots, which is an impressive feat when trying to bridge the gap between sports motoring and practicality.
The A3 is powered by a turbocharged, 2-liter in-line 4-cylinder engine equipped with Audi's Direct-Injection system that produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound feet of torque. There's plenty of power on tap that allows the A3 to sprint from 0-60 miles per hour in 7 seconds and finish off the quarter-mile in just over 15 seconds at a shade over 93 mph. EPA mileage estimates are 21 in the city and 29 on the highway.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and Audi's DSG... or Direct Shift Gearbox, a six-speed automatic transmission that can also be shifted manually, is optional... and it may just be the best example of this layout available today.
The handling of the A3 is exceptional, with crisp cornering, well-weighted steering and response, and road manners which are nearly flawless. The interior provides an aura of understated luxury that will feel familiar to any current Audi owner.
Despite the A3's conservative exterior dimensions, there are thirteen cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats when folded up, and a generous thirty-six cubic feet of space with the 60/40 rear seats folded down.
There are three trim levels available: the Standard, Sport, and Premium. When A3 shopping, expect to be tempted by the extensive options list with everything from a leather interior to an upgraded BOSE stereo and in-dash navigation system. However, the base A3 is far from stripped down, and you may find everything you want right from the get-go.
The suggested base price of the 2008 Audi A3 with the Direct Shift Gearbox is 25,930 dollars, with an optioned-out A3 priced at around thirty-grand.
The Audi A3 is a well-executed combination of sports car dash and station wagon stash. It's roomy and zoomy, and proves that an automobile doesn't have to be big to act big.