We find out whether Audi's turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine is up to the challenge of hauling around the bigger, heavier A3 saloon
Audi's latest addition to the A3 line-up marks its first entry into the modern compact saloon class. The saloon is wider and longer than the A3 Sportback, consequently it offers more load space than its estate sibling. The A3 saloon is also a completely new body design, sharing no panels with the Sportback.The 138bhp 1.4-litre TFSI engine tested here is one of three redesigned engine units to be available at launch, the others being a 178bhp 1.8-litre TFSI and a 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI.The engine range is likely to grow in future with the addition of two new entry-level engine options - a 104bhp 1.6-litre TDI unit and a 181bhp 2.0-litre TDI unit.Cylinder-on-demand technology is also integrated into this entry-level engine, with the car's engine-management system shutting down two cylinders under low engine load to reduce mechanical wear, cut emissions and improve fuel economy.
We find out whether Audi's turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine is up to the challenge of hauling around the bigger, heavier A3 saloon
Audi's latest addition to the A3 line-up marks its first entry into the modern compact saloon class. The saloon is wider and longer than the A3 Sportback, consequently it offers more load space than its estate sibling. The A3 saloon is also a completely new body design, sharing no panels with the Sportback.The 138bhp 1.4-litre TFSI engine tested here is one of three redesigned engine units to be available at launch, the others being a 178bhp 1.8-litre TFSI and a 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI.The engine range is likely to grow in future with the addition of two new entry-level engine options - a 104bhp 1.6-litre TDI unit and a 181bhp 2.0-litre TDI unit.Cylinder-on-demand technology is also integrated into this entry-level engine, with the car's engine-management system shutting down two cylinders under low engine load to reduce mechanical wear, cut emissions and improve fuel economy.