2021 Audi A3 35 TFSI – Sporty Compact Four-Door Sedan. 2021 Audi A3 Sedan 35 TFSI – Drive, Interior and Exterior. Color: Manhattan Gray. Please Consider Subscribing.
0:00 Interior and Exterior
1:40 Facts and Figures
3:46 Drive
The 35 TFSI, a 1.5-liter direct injection engine, produces 110 kW (150 PS) and is available in two versions – with a newly developed six-speed manual transmission and with a quick-shifting seven-speed S tronic.
The powertrain in conjunction with the S tronic dual-clutch transmission uses a 48-volt mild hybrid system. It recovers energy during deceleration, supports the engine with up to 50 Nm (36.9 lb-ft) of torque when driving off and accelerating from low engine speeds and allows the A3 Sedan to coast with the engine switched off in many situations.
Audi relies on a MacPherson axle with bottom wishbones at the front. Models with an output from 110 kW (150 hp) are equipped with a four-link rear suspension with separate spring/damper arrangement. In the other engine variants, a light and compact torsion-beam rear axle is used. The swivel bearings are made of aluminum.
For the engine variants with an output from 110 kW (150 hp), the suspension is available with adaptive damper control upon request, which lowers the body by 10 millimeters.
Even the standard electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance has a sporty and direct gear ratio. The following applies to the optional progressive steering: The further the driver turns in the wheel, the more direct the ratio becomes. This reduces steering effort in urban traffic and when maneuvering; in tight curves, the new A3 is even more agile and precise.
With the sport suspension, which comes as standard with the S line exterior, the focus is clearly on dynamics. Due to the tauter tuning of the suspension and dampers and the fact that the body height is lowered by 15 millimeters (0.6 in), the A3 conveys an even more direct contact with the road surface.
The wheel portfolio of the new A3 models ranges from 16 to 19 inches and up to a tire dimension of 235/35. The two exterior lines include 17-inch wheels, while offerings from Audi Sport are available for 18-inch and 19-inch wheels. The tires for all dimensions were optimized in terms of rolling resistance without compromising handling or braking performance.
The brake disks on the front axle are internally ventilated and measure 312 millimeters (12.3 in), while those on the rear axle have a diameter of 272 millimeters (10.7 in). The brake pistons are actuated by an electric brake booster. Due to its very quick response time, the developers were able to increase the air gap between the brake pad and the brake disk slightly. This solution eliminates friction loss due to slight contact with the brake pads and increases efficiency.
The headlights are available in three versions. Even in the basic model, they use LED technology – apart from the turn signals. With their flat, wedge-like shape, the lights underline the sporty character of the new A3 models. Trapezoidal angles at their outside corners are drawn downward. As the top-of-the-line version in the range, the Matrix LED headlights incorporate a lighting innovation from Audi in these angles – digital daytime running lights. Their matrix of LED elements in a three-by-five arrangement can be actuated variably, which means that the different versions of the new A3 each have specific signatures. While horizontal lines are characteristic of the basic model, two vertical LED lines emphasize the sportiness of the S line exterior. In addition, the Matrix LED headlights offer intelligently controlled, anti-glare high beam light, dynamic turn signal light, and many other functions, including new animations when the car is unlocked and when exiting the car.
The new A3 models also come with a digital instrument cluster as standard. It has a 10.25-inch diagonal and is operated via the multifunction steering wheel. In combination with MMI navigation plus, the displays appear in the Audi virtual cockpit, which has many additional functions, such as the large navigation map display. The larger Audi virtual cockpit plus with a 12.3-inch diagonal and a resolution of 1,920 x 720 pixels is even more attractive. It offers three different views, including graphics with a particularly sporty look.
A head-up display completes the control and display concept of the new A3. It projects important information, including from some connect services and assist systems, into the driver’s immediate field of vision on the windshield. The image appears to be at a distance of 2.2 meters (7.2 ft).
There are three exterior lines and interior lines available for the new A3 that can be combined as desired. In addition to the basic version, there is the advanced exterior and the S line exterior. With regard to the colors and materials in the interior, A3 customers can choose between basic, design selection, and S line. Thus both models offer numerous possibilities for individualization.
