Audi A3 review: Top-of-the-range hatchback adds clever petrol engine so you can leave your diesel worries at the door
AUDI A3 Black Edition will set you back £30,000 and gets the clever new 1.5-litre petrol engine that'll shut down cylinders when they're not needed
AMID all the fuss about dieselgate and monkeys and so on, VW has produced a rather peachy petrol engine.
It’s a four-cylinder, 1.5-litre turbo producing 150hp, so it’s fast and playful and sounds great, which is important.
But the clever thing is it shuts down two cylinders when coasting, to cut emissions and save fuel.
Naturally, the Golf was first to adopt this “Evo” engine, but it is now being shared around the VW family at Skoda, Seat and Audi.
Which brings me nicely to the Audi A3 Black Edition you see here...but in, er, white. Think of it like finding a £20 note in your favourite coat.
You were going to have that A3 anyway - it’s class – but now you feel an inch taller for being a good citizen. Bonus.
But throw this thing down a B-road and it’s a hoot. There’s plenty of grip, little body roll and much torque from that 1.5-litre.
It’s much more flexible than the old 1.4.
AUDI A3 BLACK EDITION
Key facts:
Price: £29,755
Engine: 1.5-litre petrol
Power: 150hp, 250Nm
0-62mph: 8.2 secs
Top speed: 136mph
Economy: 56mpg
CO2: 114g/km
Out: Now
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Other observations. The Black Edition sits above the sporty S line trim, adding 18in alloys, a ten-speaker sound system and lots of black detailing (mirror caps, grille, privacy glass, headlining, etc.)
The cabin oozes quality. The seven-speed paddle-shift auto is super smooth.
But excuse me? You need to cough up another £450 for the digital driver’s screen? Come on, Audi. It should be standard on a 30 grand motor.