Premium compact hatchback wins Best Lower Medium Car in the fleet magazine’s annual awards

Executive level quality and technology and compact class financial viability combine to award-winning effect in the new Audi A3, which has just been voted Best Lower Medium Car in the 2013 Fleet World Honours.

The team behind the renowned industry magazine and its website fleetworld.co.uk staged its annual awards in London’s Pall Mall yesterday. The highly experienced editorial staff presided over the judging, factoring into the process residual value, maintenance and reliability data from respected providers including ALD Automotive, Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, Lex Autolease, LeasePlan, EurotaxGlass, VIPDATA and Arval.

Steve Moody, Editor of Fleet World, said: “With the A3, Audi has taken an already-winning formula and refined it still further. It has low emission engines, as you would expect, and highly competitive running costs, but it is the sheer quality that impresses most. It might be a hatchback, but it feels like a luxury car.“

James Douglas, Head of Fleet Sales at Audi UK, commented: “In terms of showroom appeal the new A3 makes a very strong case for itself with its acute focus on quality, technology and efficiency – this award recognises these attributes but also emphasises that the A3 stacks up financially as a highly cost effective tool for business users. We’re honoured and greatly encouraged to have received it.“

New engines and technology
With its strong residual values and low running costs the A3 makes perfect sense as a company car, particularly in recently launched 1.2 TFSI petrol and famously frugal 1.6 TDI forms. What the 1.2 TFSI lacks in capacity it more than compensates for with enthusiasm and efficiency, combining surprisingly peppy performance from a 105PS output with 57.6mpg fuel economy potential and a CO2 output of just 114g/km. With an identical power output to the 1.2 TFSI, the 1.6 TDI maximises miles-per-gallon with a combined figure of 74.3mpg, while CO2 output drops to 99g/km in the six-speed manual version. The perennially popular 2.0 TDI model and the forthcoming 1.4 TFSI with fuel-sparing Cylinder-on-Demand technology (CoD) are also among the highlights with particular significance for business drivers.

The A3 is also a highly effective business tool in terms of its in-car technology, a fact which is emphasised by equipment options such as the enhanced ‘Technology package with Mobile phone preparation - High with Audi connect’, an online portal which allows users to access an array of interactive features. These include text message and email alerts, flight and train information, up-to-date fuel station pricing and locations, Facebook and Twitter interaction and online news feeds, which can be individually tailored via a myAudi account configurable from the audi.co.uk home page.

High mileage corporate drivers will also appreciate the fact that the A3 offers the no-cost option to combine the suppleness of standard suspension with the higher specification Sport and S line trim levels, and also now the opportunity to further boost long distance comfort without sacrificing handling composure by specifying Audi magnetic ride.

This adaptive suspension system uses dampers containing synthetic hydrocarbon oil with tiny magnetic particles. When a voltage is applied, a magnetic field is generated in which the particles realign perpendicular to the direction of flow of the oil, and allow the forces of the damper to be constantly adapted within milliseconds. In comfort mode, oil viscosity is high for a more cushioned and comfortable ride. In dynamic mode – when the oil is less viscous – the suspension tautens for a more engaging drive.

Another innovative driver aid is the new Progressive steering option. This variable ratio system reduces the driver’s steering effort whilst also providing a more precise feel, which is particularly useful when parking. In driving conditions where a quicker steering input is required, the weighting firms up for improved response and more communication with the driver.

The Audi A3 is currently available in three-door and five-door Sportback forms, and will be joined later in 2013 by the A3 Saloon, the Vorsprung durch Technik brand’s first ever compact class saloon.