Audi A3 review

The 1996 original Audi A3 in effect founded the European ‘compact premium’ hatchback segment — one that Mercedes, BMW, Volvo and Lexus would subsequently enter.
Like the new version, the Audi A3 shared its platform with the Volkswagen Golf and was internally considered as a successor to the 1974 Audi 50 three-door.

The car dominated the class it spawned, blowing even the original BMW 1-series into the weeds. As it stands, after two generations, it accounts for every fifth Audi registered worldwide.
Audi’s all-new A3 is one of those cars that you’ll recognise only after a good, long, close-quarters stare. Once you know what you’re looking at, its conservative distinctiveness begins to filter through. But like so many of this brand’s recent ‘Russian doll’ relaunches, this is a ‘new Audi’ with the emphasis on the latter part of that concept.
Few would believe that it represents little short of a revolution in compact car design and manufacture.
 After years of development, the A3 is the first model to adopt group technical supremo Ulrich Hackenberg’s ‘secret weapon’. Ahead of the seventh-generation VW Golf and the third-gen Seat Leon, both of which are waiting in the wings, the A3 comes to market as the very first fruit of VW’s ‘MQB’ platform.

That single fact has a far-reaching influence on the car – from the way it has been designed and specified to the way it’s actually built. But because you’re an Autocar reader, the most important question you’ll be considering is this: does VW’s platform revolution make a very competent but dull car any more compelling to drive? Prepare to find out.