Any enthusiasm here for the new Audi A3 Saloon?

Comhrá

Anyone got opinions good bad or indifferent on the new Audi A3 Saloon due on sale in September, I believe?

http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/motors/audi-shows-off-its-new-a3-saloon-1.1402973

colm_mcm

I quite like it. It's like a successor to the 80 in my book.
I reckon it'll hit A4 sales big time.

R.O.R

Errrm - it looks nice.

[sweeping generalization]Will find homes with female medi/pharma reps who don't need an A4[/sweeping generalization]

Was initially told it would only be SE and Sport models coming, but they are bringing a "Standard" model in as well - yippee :-)

toastedpickles

Not in camp pickles anyways, they all look the same nowadays but a higher number and a few fancy bits along the way

Comhrá

Earlier this year I had been strongly considering a new Golf 7 2.0 TDI for 2014.

Now this A3 is looking a much more attractive option than the Golf 7.

The more I see the Golf 7 the less attractive I find it's shape. I find I still prefer the Golf 6 shape, but the Audi A3 Saloon seems an overall more interesting option. The 140PS 1.4 petrol engine gets good reviews all round.

tw0nk

A lot of money for the car, I like the look of it, but could never ever justify the price of the car.

Old diesel

colm_mcm wrote: »

I quite like it. It's like a successor to the 80 in my book.
I reckon it'll hit A4 sales big time.

Its a nice enough looking car,

But to be a true successor to the Mk 3 Audi 80 - we will have to see a very high proportion of them hit 200 k miles plus without issue .

In some ways its like the old Opel Corsa saloons back in the day - you might as well be getting along with the hatchback.

Should do well in Ireland all the same given Irelands general liking for saloons - does anyone remember the old VW Derby - a 2 door saloon version of the Mk 1 Polo.

I remember back in the 80s growing up - youd see Derbys around the place but it was relatively uncommon to see a Mk 1 Polo.

Based on that - id say the A3 Saloon will fly out the gate

colm_mcm

Would I be right in thinking it's around the same size as an e46 3 series?

R.O.R

colm_mcm wrote: »

Would I be right in thinking it's around the same size as an e46 3 series?

Not sure, but it's around the same size as an Octavia (except the price tag)

BMJD

Audi have set the photocopier to 80% this time, exciting times!

colm_mcm

Vorsprung Durch Toner

For Forks Sake

R.O.R wrote: »

Not sure, but it's around the same size as an Octavia (except the price tag)

but, but, but....the boot...

Jesus.

Don't know why they'd build a small Saloon like that. Then again, Paddy loves his 1.4 Liter mini Sedan doesn't he?!!

colm_mcm

They'll proably go mad for it in china/India/USA. I don't think Ireland was very high on the list of priorities!

Wonder if they'll do a coupe?

MuppetCheck

Jesus. wrote: »

Don't know why they'd build a small Saloon like that. Then again, Paddy loves his 1.4 Liter mini Sedan doesn't he?!!

Because there's a market for it, and that 1.4 is supposedly a very, very good engine especially in a car that light.

Jesus.

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Because there's a market for it,

Indeed. Like I said, Paddy loves his small saloons with even smaller engines.

and that 1.4 is supposedly a very, very good engine especially in a car that light.

A bit on the small side for me so I'd believe it when I see it.

colm_mcm

Jesus. wrote: »

Indeed. Like I said, Paddy loves his small saloons with even smaller engines.



A bit on the small side for me so I'd believe it when I see it.

Aren't you driving a 1.6 Laguna?

Jesus.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Aren't you driving a 1.6 Laguna?

Yes, an absolute pig of an engine (for that body). Very underpowered. Cars of that size should have a 2 liter IMO.

colm_mcm

Jesus. wrote: »

Yes, an absolute pig of an engine (for that body). Very underpowered. Cars of that size should have a 2 liter IMO.

They do and it has 135hp. The 1.4 TSI completely outclasses it.

Jesus.

colm_mcm wrote: »

They do and it has 135hp.

I know but I'm a Paddy.

The 1.4 TSI completely outclasses it.

Possibly but why have a 1.4 small wee Saloon?

colm_mcm

Jesus. wrote: »

I know but I'm a Paddy.



Possibly but why have a 1.4 small wee Saloon?

Cause its better than most normally aspirated oetrol engines or horrid 1.6 tdis

Mycroft H

So what's the point of the A4 now?

Jesus.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Cause its better than most normally aspirated oetrol engines or horrid 1.6 tdis

I mean why have a small little saloon like that? And why not put a decent sized engine in it?

What I'm saying is, they already have A4, A6 and A8 saloons so why chuck a midget in behind them?

Lando Griffin

Looking forward to seeing one with a RS4 badge on it.

colm_mcm

Jesus. wrote: »

I mean why have a small little saloon like that? And why not put a decent sized engine in it?

What I'm saying is, they already have A4, A6 and A8 saloons so why chuck a midget in behind them?

I think you're missing the point a bit.

Jesus.

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think you're missing the point a bit.

Which is?

Stallingrad

Just another niche and another cookie cutter Audi, about as interesting as a shrunken A4, A6, A8, whatever.....zzzzzzzzzz.....

colm_mcm

Jesus. wrote: »

Which is?

Its not an a4. Its not a passat, its not a Jetta. Its an A3 with a boot. Some people wanted an A3 with a boot, so they made one.

You can blame them for building cars that people will buy as opposed to cars you'd like.

Mycroft H

It's pointless IMO, only going to eat into A4 sales.

Jesus.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Its not an a4. Its not a passat, its not a Jetta. Its an A3 with a boot. Some people wanted an A3 with a boot, so they made one.

You can blame them for building cars that people will buy as opposed to cars you'd like.

Maybe you're right mate. As I said, it will probably be a seller here considering our attraction to small saloons with wee engines.

But you're right, I don't like the concept. Maybe it'll be bigger than I first thought though. Did someone say its gonna be the same size as the current Octavia?

bazz26

It will sell to people who found the standard hatchback A3 too feminine but could not stretch to an A4. In this market vanity generally plays a big part.