Torque and finesse meet in the Audi A3

Being neither large nor small sedan, you could be forgiven for assuming that the third-generation Audi A3 would politely fall in line among its A siblings in the Ingolstadt stable, and be perfectly content to keep its head down like a timid dog.

Oh, how wrong you are. The car actually breaks through, pardon the pun, expected middling appeal in the segment to wield and display great a deal of chutzpah — laughing all the way, as it were, to 2014 World Car of the Year honors. A total of 69 “top-level” automotive journalists from 22 countries worked on a list of 24 vehicles to come away with a common conclusion bestowing the A3 range the much coveted title. For an encore, the A3 also earned the nod of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as a 2014 Top Safety Pick.

The A3 is the entry point in Audi’s premium sedan range, the most workable or practical choice behind the A1 hatch if space is not an overriding priority. But if your life demands more space as doting dad or mom, or even a committed weekend warrior, then the A3 should yield to your most reasonable demands.

That was certainly, well, driven home when I got behind the wheel of the A3’s diesel variant for a weekend. Truth be told, I had a prior occasion to briefly push the turbo-diesel variant of the sedan a while back when it was formally launched in the country. But this lengthier recent experience with A3 further opened my eyes and enamored me with the small family sedan.

The new-gen A3 is the biggest the line has ever gotten. Measuring 4.4 meters, the iteration loses out by a mere 0.1 meter to the previous-generation A4. Despite this, the A3 outdoes the A4 in both legroom and headroom. Capping this space festival of sorts is a surprisingly generous 425-liter trunk.

Motivated by a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel mated to a six-speed, S tronic dual-clutch auto tranny, the A3 realizes 150 hp and a torque-y 320 Nm. Audi reports that it reaches 100 kph in 8.7 ticks and can top 220 kph. Substantial torque is also accessed at low engine speeds of 1,750 to 2,500 rpm — which means bang-for-the-buck fuel economy. I observed the A3 to promise a peak rate breaching 16 kilometres per liter for a mix of driving conditions (urban and extra-urban).

Audi brass cite particular design elements in the A3 that give it added attitude. The character line (also known as the Tornado Line) and the D-pillar evoke speed, and a decidedly sporty theme resonates with the widening of the platform, an aggressively styled front-lamp assembly with LED indicator lamps, xenon headlamps, and Audi’s tasty trademark daytime running light.

After you pull open the A3’s solidly built door and get within, it becomes immediately apparent that the affair is kept simple, clean, and elegant. A four-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel features multi-function buttons and shift paddles. Both front seats can be adjusted electronically. Rear-seat occupants should not feel left out; their comfort is certainly not an afterthought as they benefit from generous legroom and separate air-conditioning vents.

The A3 is also blessed with an excellent complement of safety features. Airbags are provided for both front occupants, plus thorax/pelvis bags and a sideguard head airbag system for front and rear passengers.

The A3 doesn’t try too hard to get your attention, and that’s a good thing. The front center console is bare, save for two smart-looking circular vents fringed by chrome-finished controls. This reflects a new way of thinking of design at Audi. Reducing single-function switches has simplified matters immensely. The multimedia interface screen (that electronically stows away when you want it to or when you switch off the car) on top of the dashboard allows keener control and clearer information about a myriad of things — from the song currently playing, to lighting settings. Easy-to-reach knobs and buttons by the gearshift are surely welcome, and reflect insight in Audi’s engineers and designers.

Switching from regular Drive mode to Sport unleashes an unlikely sprightliness seldom seen in diesels. On the SLEX, the A3 proved equally stable and nimble at speed. Although I found it getting a tad impatient in stop-and-go traffic on the way up to Tagaytay, it was but a quibble in a sea of conveniences and comfort.

All told, the Audi A3 is a sumptuous choice if you have the cash for a refined vehicle that packs tons of attitude to match your mood.