PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
The 2.0T engine lags in low-speed power delivery, then supplies it with a rush.
Consumer Guide
The steering is precise, though, and the brakes have a reassuringly solid and direct feel.
Fortune
The A3’s responses are as eager and precise
Car and Driver
the little oil burner has the power to pull you through corners with some gusto
Motor Trend
the TDI actually feels much quicker in real world driving, because of the wealth of torque on tap at low engine speeds -- as low as 1750 rpm
Automobile Magazine
Performance is remarkably close between the two engines. Between the two, the TDI engine is narrowly the favorite of our editors, because it cranks out heaps of torque, giving it the response of a torquey big-displacement V-6 off the line or in top gear, while in either model the S tronic gearbox doesn't make the sacrifices that automatics normally do. One thing worth pointing out is that Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system, which is usually offered in most of Audi's cars, isn't offered with TDI versions, or on versions with the manual gearbox.
The Audi A3 driving experience is a joy in most respects: light, direct, and refined. Audi's magnetic ride system is available on the A3. The adaptive-action shock absorber control system uses voltage to electrify a magneto-rheological fluid in the shocks to change their response within milliseconds, allowing the suspension to quickly change character from soft to firm, depending on driving or road conditions. The driver can choose between Normal and Sport programs by flipping a switch. The electric power steering system doesn't wind and unwind quite like a traditional hydraulic system would, but good maneuverability and a combination of crisp response at low speed and good stability on the highway make the A3 an ideal single car for both.
Conclusion
Whether you get it as in gas or TDI diesel form, the 2011 Audi A3 is a remarkably well-rounded—if not immensely thrilling—performer.
