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.

Pique

Jesus. wrote: »

Which is?

The BMW 1 series saloon.

Jesus.

Seemingly its going to be 175 inches long. Nowhere near as big as an Octavia as previously suggested.

I dislike this car already

colm_mcm

Just a bit of perspective on the length thing


Toyota Corolla 4dr 02-06 4385mm
Skoda Rapid 4386mm
Audi 80 4404mm
BMW e36 3 series 4432mm

A3 saloon 4456mm

Volvo S40 05 4468mm
Audi A4 1995 4520mm
BMW F30 3 series 4624

R.O.R

Jesus. wrote: »

Seemingly its going to be 175 inches long. Nowhere near as big as an Octavia as previously suggested.

I dislike this car already

While the Octavia is longer, that's to accomodate the hatch and default massive boot. Internally, they are the same, which means the A3 Saloon actually has a decent amount of legroom in the rear.

The one I was in at the launch was very tight for headroom in the rear (although that's not really going to be a major concern in this segment), but it did have the sunroof with robs a few inches on headroom.

pippip

BX 19 wrote: »

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

No I don't think it will. Its only going to attract people who can't afford an A4 in the first place.

I think the new Audi interiors are amazing and probably the best out there but have to say not mad on those centre vents.

naughtysmurf

bazz26 wrote: »

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.

I'd agree with this, I would certainly have a look at one, don't really need a full size saloon, not mad about hatchbacks generally & it looks well

GavMan

naughtysmurf wrote: »

I'd agree with this, I would certainly have a look at one, don't really need a full size saloon, not mad about hatchbacks generally & it looks well

This.

Looks very nice in S Line spec. S Line is slightly dearer than I would have liked. As dear as the merc CLA AMG pack model.

Would plump of the A3 over the CLA. CLA is perhaps marginally prettier on the outside but the A3 interior seems head and shoulders above. If nothing else, it doesn't have that hideous screen that the CLA has.

Will attract young professionals with a young family I'd say.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaIfHYQzltQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBNMLzaQyWQ

MrDerp

I like.

I'm a 31 year old s40 driver, and I probably wouldn't buy a V40 now they've gone hatchback.

This is a premium saloon and I think it will appeal. I think it will pull in the type of A4/3 series driver that buys boggo-spec (badge buyers who want a saloon), fleet buyers, etc. It simply must hit A4 sales, but I think it will also hit 3-series/C-merc sales, and I think it'll rob a few s60 sales too.

If I was buying a new car (I probably never will), I wouldn't see the point of a 3-series over a 5-series price wise. I quite like the A4 and C-merc. I also like the s60 - it's price point and how it sits somewhere between your mass-market Ford/VW and the premium marques.

I'm a stickler for spec so a new car for me, yesterday, would have been a well specced s60 value wise. Today, that would be seriously affected by a premium saloon at this price point.

Pique

Wouldn't an S60 be a much bigger car?

MrDerp

Pique wrote: »

Wouldn't an S60 be a much bigger car?

Not really. It's comparable to an A4. And I wouldn't buy it for its size alone. I would buy it because it has nice safety, toys, interior and its a saloon. Its appeal is being priced below premium saloons, while being a something between regular and premium

colm_mcm

The s60 is sort of mondeo size

Cars are getting bigger all the time. People aren't growing at the same rate

alias no.9

It's very close in size to the B6 A4. Only the overall length varies by more than an inch, the A3 is marginally wider, the B6 A4 is slightly higher and has a slightly longer wheelbase.
When you consider the transverse mounted engine rather than the longitudinal one hanging out in front of the front wheels in the B6 A4, all of the additional length on the B6 A4 is probably in the engine bay which adds nothing to the car in terms of function for most users.
The B6 A4 sold a plenty so no reason that this can't do the same.

Jesus.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Just a bit of perspective on the length thing


Toyota Corolla 4dr 02-06 4385mm
Skoda Rapid 4386mm
Audi 80 4404mm
BMW e36 3 series 4432mm

A3 saloon 4456mm

Volvo S40 05 4468mm
Audi A4 1995 4520mm
BMW F30 3 series 4624

Why are you comparing cars from as much as 18 years ago to the current ones?

Surely if you're going to compare the size of a 2013 car you would use contemporary models?

Jesus.

Pique wrote: »

Wouldn't an S60 be a much bigger car?

Of course it is. Its the next category up. The equivalent would be the S40.

Jesus.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Cars are getting bigger all the time. People aren't growing at the same rate

I would disagree there as well mate. People have gotten huge in the last generation and its not a good thing. I see in car parks nearly every day, huge fat people squeezing into cars that aren't suitable for them. They should lose weight first and foremost but if they won't do that then they should at least drive a car that they and their fat spouse can fit in.

Victor Meldrew

R.O.R wrote: »

While the Octavia is longer, that's to accomodate the hatch and default massive boot. Internally, they are the same, which means the A3 Saloon actually has a decent amount of legroom in the rear.

The one I was in at the launch was very tight for headroom in the rear (although that's not really going to be a major concern in this segment),

Also, the A4 is now quite a big car. it used to be a "god help those in the back" sort of car.

The wife has an A1 and we shove two small kids in the back. When they get a bit bigger an A3 would be great, we've had them before and she loves them.

Once Audi don't poverty spec them, they will do fine. but I think those days are over.

colm_mcm

Jesus. wrote: »

Why are you comparing cars from as much as 18 years ago to the current ones?

Surely if you're going to compare the size of a 2013 car you would use contemporary models?

Its because most people know these cars and its easy to compare them. It also puts some much needed perspective on it.

ofcork

Lando Griffin wrote: »

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

Would more likely be an RS3 badge,shape to me smacks of a seat i know they are from the same company.

colm_mcm

ofcork wrote: »

Would more likely be an RS3 badge,shape to me smacks of a seat i know they are from the same company.

You can't buy RS3 badges in filling stations though.

Jesus.

colm_mcm wrote: »

It also puts some much needed perspective on it.

Disagree with that. Different times, different era.

But we'll agree to disagree Colm lad.