Audi's A3 remains a vital entryway into the company’s saloon range. Photo: Audi
Audi's A3 remains a vital entryway into the company’s saloon range. Photo: Audi
Audi's A3 remains a vital entryway into the company’s saloon range. Photo: Audi
Audi's A3 remains a vital entryway into the company’s saloon range. Photo: Audi

Road test: Audi A3 showcases stealthy new advances


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Audi is arguably the most understated of the premium German brands, so it should come as no surprise that improvements made to the coming A3 are discreet, despite plenty of technical upgrades hiding beneath.

While SUVs continue to rule the sales charts, Audi’s diminutive A3 remains a crucial model providing not only an entry to the company’s saloon range but also, as it creeps up in equipment levels, a starting point to prestige German motoring.

This fourth generation A3 features a more powerful turbocharged, four-cylinder engine in the flagship S3 with 328bhp and 420Nm of torque, combined with a new torque-splitting rear diff from the RS3 and improved steering. Visually it’s best recognised by its new 24-pixel, digital daytime Matrix LED headlights, which lets the driver choose from up to four light signatures across the front.

This A3 introduces a new badge via the Allstreet variant, which offers a rugged-looking design with 30mm more ground clearance and a chiselled look from its faux off-road skid plate and roof rails. Sadly, it’s not coming to the regional market.

This fourth generation A3 features a more powerful turbocharged, four-cylinder engine. Photo: Audi
This fourth generation A3 features a more powerful turbocharged, four-cylinder engine. Photo: Audi

By way of compensation, the Middle East will get the updated S3 with its extra 23bhp and 20Nm of torque over the old model from its two-litre, TFSI, turbocharged engine, along with a tweaked design comprising a sporty front diffuser and quad exhausts.

The S3 accelerates from 0 to 100kph in 4.7 seconds with peak torque available from 2,100 to 5,500rpm and has a top speed of 250kph.

Pricing for the UAE will be announced at the end of the year. However, in Europe, the A3 starts at €35,650 (Dh139,229) for the five-door Sportback, €36,450 (Dh142,425) for the sedan and €55,600 (Dh217,284) for the S3.

Inside, a smaller shift lever along with redesigned air vents, a three-spoke leather steering wheel, new fabric inlays and updated interior lighting greets you as part of the standard package.

A 10.1-inch touch display screen, inductive smartphone charger, two front USB-C charging ports in the centre console plus two ports in the rear are all standard, while the options list includes Navigation Plus and access to Audi’s app store.

On the road, the S3 is the most dynamic model in the range and is a stunner on winding back roads. Its wide torque band ensures there’s always power under foot for exiting tight corners or spotting a sudden overtaking opportunity.

The A3’s adaptive cruise control assists with both longitudinal and lateral control. Photo: Audi
The A3’s adaptive cruise control assists with both longitudinal and lateral control. Photo: Audi

My drive in the A3 takes me through the forests outside of Munich on a rainy day, which proves to be perfect for the all-wheel drive and its torque splitter, twin-clutch differential. This gives it an almost, rear-wheel steering feel as it arrests torque from the outside rear wheel to tighten up its turning radius for corners.

The system first appeared on the previous generation RS3 and has now been updated and installed on the cheaper S3.

The A3’s adaptive cruise control assists with both longitudinal and lateral control as it handles acceleration, braking and steering at up to 210kph. It’s supplemented by an assisted lane change function that operates above 90kph on highways.

Tap the turn signal and the system actively assists the driver in steering into the next lane and also checks the surroundings to make sure it’s safe to do so. During city driving, its park assist helps park and reverse out of tight spaces using the same sensors.

Specs
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All very clever technical devices, however, the lane assistance system feels too keen to steer the car for me, to the point of being intrusive, as it reads old white line markings that have been painted over and are bleeding through to the surface in the damp conditions.

The regular Audi A3 Sedan and Sportback 35 TFSI with their 148bhp, 1.5-litre mild hybrid engines are backed by a seven-speed auto and while the sedan test car is obviously more lethargic compared to the S3, it feels no less capable as a quality luxury compact. Its tall gearing devours long distances on the motorway, maintaining high speeds while not bothering the petrol gauge. Audi claims it returns between 5.8 and 6.1 litres per 100kms.

The newest Audi A3 has climbed deeper into the premium compact segment offering quality features with a price to match, but in doing so, also delivers a near complete solution of comfort, performance, great handling from its improved steering and the clever diff borrowed from the RS3. It’s a brilliant case study for subtle refinements over wholesale makeovers.

At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

Founder: Ayman Badawi

Date started: Test product September 2016, paid launch January 2017

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Software

Size: Seven employees

Funding: $170,000 in angel investment

Funders: friends

Company%20Profile
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Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi

“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”

The Details

Kabir Singh

Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series

Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa

Rating: 2.5/5 

Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”

Cinco in numbers

Dh3.7 million

The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown

46

The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.

1,000

The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]

50

How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday

3,000

The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

1.1 million

The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

UAE%20PREMIERSHIP
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57%20Seconds
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'Will%20of%20the%20People'
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City's slump

L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1

How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries

• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.

• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.

• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.

• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.

• For more information visit the library network's website.

MATCH INFO

Jersey 147 (20 overs) 

UAE 112 (19.2 overs)

Jersey win by 35 runs

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WHAT%20MACRO%20FACTORS%20ARE%20IMPACTING%20META%20TECH%20MARKETS%3F
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The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

Specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%20turbo%204-cylinder%20%2F%202.0%20turbo%204-cylinder%20(S3)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20148bhp%20%2F%20328bhp%20(S3)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20250Nm%20%2F%20420Nm%20(S3)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20December%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20TBA%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: April 24, 2024, 12:36 PM`