For more than 35 years, Audi’s trademark quattro all-wheel drive system has set the standard for traction, control and safety for all-weather capability. The Audi A3 may be the entry -level car in company’s line-up, but it is no less capable than its bigger brothers.
The A3 Sedan has two engine and powertrain options that include the 170 horsepower 1.8 TFSI turbocharged 4-cylinder driving the front wheels and the 220 horsepower 2.0 TFSI turbocharged 4-cylinder that is combined with Audi’s legendary quattro system. Both engines are mated to the standard 6-speed S tronic® dual-clutch gearbox.
Available is the Audi drive select system which allows the driver to adjust throttle response, shift points, and steering effort by selecting one of four settings — Auto, Dynamic, Comfort, Individual .
Underneath the A3 is a Haldex center differential that is responsible for dividing the torque between the front and rear axles. In normal straight ahead driving, 100 percent of the power is directed to the front wheels. As soon as any slip occurs between front and rear, there is an almost instantaneous transfer of torque to the rear wheels. The amount of torque transferred is based on the amount of slippage is detected.
Audi has long been known for being one of the best winter cars you can buy because of their quattro AWD system. In this TFLcar review Nathan puts the latest 2016 Audi A3 quattro to the test in the snow covered Colorado Rocky Mountains.
