Sleek A3 Black gains cool spec. But is it still lacking?
Look at this A3 35 TFSI Sedan Black Edition and it certainly pulls it off. The regular version already looks cute. A tad pumped up; the new Black bits go so far that a cursory glance may have you thinking that it really is a S3. Love it or hate it, the Black bit adds a Vader like appeal to that purposeful stance, those quattro blisters and the rest of this car’s fine basic form.
The titivation extends from blackened badges and Audi rings to sportier bumpers, sports suspension, an S spoiler and more. Face polished 18-inch alloys further add to the effect, complemented by a scenic sunroof, full LED headlights and a several more trinkets. There’s decent leatherette clad Audi build quality, an edgy gear switch, door knobs and inlays, and of course a little more Black magic inside.
Sleek A3 Sedan gains Black titivation
The crisp 12.3” virtual cockpit and CarPlay Auto Bluetooth MMI touch screen infotainment look the part. Even if it’s mostly shocking to operate. There’s also so much in here. Makes A3 Black seem specced to the moon. And of course, if you don’t really like this particular get up, Audi’s package concept allows you to upgrade to several different levels. Each at its own special premium…
But hang on a second? Where’s the reversing camera? And what about power folding rear-view mirrors? Never mind power seats, before we dare mention ventilation or cooling for them, now that summer’s coming. And, and, and? That’s a bit of a worry, mind you. Especially considering we’re paying a pretty premium for ‘all that spec’.
See, we’ve been swanning in a few pretty well togged Chinese cars of late. Models that rival Audi’s several rungs up the ladder, But which cost several hundred grand less than this one. And we’ve become used to expecting all those goodies that this special edition European still sorely misses.
Jump inside. It’s all about the spec
Never mind, we quite like that fact that those cheap as chips Chinamen, and even some sub-entry Koreans and Indians all throw in everything that Audi makes us pay extra for here, and a lot more too, as part of the deal.
More trouble is, much of this macho paraphernalia also brings added expectation. Look at the pictures and you’re promised a rocketship, no? In truth, unlike its wolf in sheep’s clothing big brother S3, this one’s the other way around. Not that there’s anything wrong with 8.7 seconds to 100, that is. It’s good enough to do the job.
There’s a sufficient 110 kW and 250 Nm on tap out of the 1400 cc turbo petrol lump, and it feels bigger than that, truth be told. This Blackened Audi swaps cogs via an 8-speed Tiptronic autobox and feeds torque to the front wheels. It employs a four-link rear axle with drive select dynamic handling. Efficient and easy cruising, ride quality is refined and A3 is comfy, too.
A3 Black edition a sheep in wolf’s clothing?
Yet it handles and holds the road well and provides good enough quality driver feedback. Some of our more adventurous drivers found the steering, accelerator, and brakes a touch too sensitive. Still, there’s nothing special about that performance these days. Those same Chines cars we mention, will kill your Audi at the lights, too. For the rest, mostly everything this A3 does, is still on the right side of average.
Which is about where this Audi will live. On the right side of average. Once upon a time, cars like this were all you could get. You wanted spec, there it is. Pay for it. Trouble is, as explained just yesterday, the market is changing far faster than hell will freeze over. Dinosaur carmakers desperately trying push everything we don’t need down our throats in a desperate effort to make even more money to pay shareholder dividends, are dicing with extinction.
Sadly, as good as it looks, and as great as it seems, this incorrectly specced overpriced Black Audi is just another example of why carmakers like this are in so much trouble. They’ve just carried on doing what they know best, ot at least, what they believe they know best, while the real car market has run away from under them. Today’s punter expects spec as part of the deal. Not smoke and mirrors special editions that cost extra and do nothing to sweeten the deal.
Traditional carmakers: black and white?
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. But the longer these so-called legacy carmakers push that old capitalist model in a world that’s becoming more overrun by far cheaper, yet shockingly effective full house a sweat shop specials by the month, the deeper the traditional industry is digging itself into its hole.
All this smart Black Audi does, is further reiterate that in this do or die world, there’s not much left for the traditional carmakers to do, except to adapt or die… — Michele Lupini
Images & test data: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Audi A3 Sedan 35TFSI Black Edition
Engine: 110 Kw 250 Nm 1.4-litre turbo petrol I4
Drive: 8-speed automatic FWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 4.13 sec
0-100 km/h: 8.78 sec
0-120 km/h: 12.00 sec
0-160 km/h: 19.78 sec
400m: 16.3 sec @ 142 km/h
80-120 km/h: 5.68 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 219 km/h
Fuel Average: 6.1l/100 km
CO2: 140 g/km
Range: 650 km
Warranty: 1 year unlimited
Service: 5 years 500K km
LIST PRICE: R806K
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