Five into three does go

Audi has proved that five into three does go having added two more doors to their classy and well built A3.

And it all has worked out rather well. Mind you, it hasn’t given the car anymore interior space at the rear and head room, although good at the front, is still not one of its strong point. There’s more space in the Astra and Focus.

There’s no escaping the fact that the A3, with its stylish, curvy looks, is a dolled up, more expensive version of the Golf. Beneath the skin it is virtually identical with the same basic underpinning and chassis. Also identical is the 1.6 litre engine installed in our test car along with much of the switchgear.

That said the cabin is better finished than the Golf and there are plenty of standard features.

The cabin, although quite a disappointment on rear space, boasts a number of cubby holes and storage areas and a neat and clever touch is the hidden compartment – don’t tell anybody – in the glovebox. There are also pull out trays under both front seats.

The cockpit is roomy and very user friendly. Driving comfort is spot on with good seat and wheel adjustment for height and reach. Head room, up front, too, is good. However, kneeroom for rear passengers can be a little tight for some, as my longer-legged passengers were heard to mutter. And the centre tunnel intrudes into the available floor space.

The boot is adequately sized and well shaped. It holds 350 litres, which increases to 1100 litres with the split rear seats folded.

Standard equipment includes passenger and driver airbags, alloy wheels, ABS, fully-galvanised body, four electric windows, electric outside mirrors, remote central locking, adjustable steering wheel, Blaupunkt stereo and CD and electric sunroof.

POWER: Nothing too exciting from the 100bhp 1.6 litre engine although it is pretty flexible with a good spread of torque all the way through the rev range.

Performance figures show that it isn’t found lacking – 0 to 62mph in 11.3 seconds and a claimed top speed of 117mph are fairly good for a 1.6. Fuel wise I averaged 35.5mpg over a fair mix of city and rural driving.

On the road is displays strong grip and feels secure and the ride decently absorbs the lumps and bumps.