2006 Audi A3 2.0T Preview

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When I first heard that Audi would be bringing its Golf... oops, I told myself I wouldnt do that, but I guess its better to get that slipup out of the way early rather than have it weigh on my conscience.

To call Audis new A3 a Golf is unfair, as its really the next-generation GTI, re-skinned and restyled with an upscale Audi A4-ish interior. Smartly, for the Audi elite, four full-size doors have been included to go along with the 200-horsepower four-cylinder that GTI lovers will be able to get their pedals on in another year or so.

Rewind....

When I first heard that Audi was finally going to be bringing its A3 to North American shores I got very excited. I even called a dealer friend

To call Audis new A3 a Golf is unfair, as its really the next-generation GTI in top-tier trim. (Photo: Audi of America)

of mine and started asking him about prospective prices. He told me to relax, and that it was still an Audi. Then I saw my next paycheck, so I suggested a possible sale of my sister into bondage, but she said shes going to hold out for a family Porsche.

But this is only a temporary setback, as the A3 is very likely going to be my next car. Somehow. Sometime. Why do I want it so badly? Its real. Its not a Carrera GT.

Yes, the A3 is an Audi, but its no $70K A8. (Photo: Audi of America)

Its not a Range Rover 4.4 HSE. Okay, maybe those cars are real to some, but to me they are simply pages in a glossy magazine or a dream passing by on the street. Yes, the A3 is an Audi, but its no $70K A8. Recently my annual earnings eclipsed my age (multiplied by a K), so Im feeling confident that I could actually save enough for a down payment, or mortgage my soul and avoid going bankrupt for at least long enough to live out the warranty. As I see it, one years work is definitely worth a car this nice.

Just look at it.

The A3 takes what Audi designers have perfected in their Avant and allroad series and successfully translated it into the smaller hatch-wagon genre. (Photo: Audi of America)

Gone is the tall profile and vertical sides of the Golf we know, replaced with the low-slung, wide and planted profile of a corner hugger. Im sure the narrow windows will earn visibility reprimands from many reviewers, but there is no substitute for the raciness imparted by a high beltline and slashes of cockpit slim window proportions.

I cant say that Audis new corporate grille is a favorite, but with the overall smaller size of the A3 and blacked-out clear-lens headlights canted downward into the grille, it doesnt seem

Not only does the A3 achieve the 200-horsepower mark, but those horses spin out 207 lb-ft of torque, which is good, very good. (Photo: Audi of America)

quite as cumbersome or slack-jawed as on its larger siblings. One thing Audi almost always gets right is the back end, and with the angled rear windshield, twin-tailpipes and slight roof mounted spoiler, the A3 takes what Audi designers have perfected in their Avant and allroad series and successfully translated it into the smaller hatch-wagon genre.

200 HP....

I want my next car to have at least 200-horespower. Granted, I could go shopping around for a used 5-Series or Acura TL Type S, but with the amount of extra weight I would end up carrying plus the number of Ks on the odometer it would have

The six-cylinder version will be coming early in 2006, in the form of the A3 3.2 quattro. (Photo: Audi of America)

to have for me to be able to afford it... well, I wouldve already done it if it was an enticing enough option. And as with computers, with cars newer is better, unless youre a 911. Not only does the A3 achieve the 200-horsepower mark, but those horses spin out 207 lb-ft of torque, which is good, very good. Good enough for sub 7-seconds to 60 mph. Good enough for a limited top speed of more than 125 mph. Who goes that fast anyway? Not a good idea, unless youre a man named Kimi or a woman named Patrick.

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