Photo by Mario James
The 2008 Audi A3 available from Motor Sales and Services at $3.99m.
Mario James, Sunday Gleaner Writer
THINKING OF the term 'Station Wagon' doesn't really conjure up flights of fancy, does it? If one is a child of the sixties or seventies, vehicles like the Brasilia, the Volvo 240 people mover or the slew of American big irons that were available in that era come to mind.
It is how older people did the SUV thing. They were bulky, slow, had the personality of pizza and were driven by moms around the world. Yeech. Not too good if you were the eldest offspring in the family then, and preferred lasagne. That deep dish would be yours in a couple of years.
But it's the 21st century, now, and it is possible to have your cake and eat it too. The Audi A3 is a vehicle in the mold of the turbo 240 you wish your dad had bought instead of the grocery getter five-door-'oh but it's safe!' mobile that you ended up with. If dad had bought the A3, you would not be getting a hand-me-down, 'cuz he would have kept it. You know that the Germans make good stuff, right? Sitting in this car is not like looking down the bonnet of a Toyota. $3.995 million gets you a lot of car (but it is a lot of money, right?). Here is what you get for almost $100,000 less than a base spec Camry.
Fast lane
Panoramic-style roof with a moon port for those scenic and romantic interludes that life in the fast lane (and rear seat) presents from time to time (payments on an almost-four- million-dollar car run into $80,000 monthly. Light-pocketed individuals need not apply). Dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth capable system ingrained into the car's user interface, not some silly add on. Funky on steering controls for the radio and information centre located 'twixt the rev counter and speedo dials; 'beyootiful' high zoot Euro tweed interior done up with that European flair; Bose surround sound; headlights with levelling feature; ESP (electronic stability programme) and lots of other doodads that are boring to read about, but essential if one is to stay alive in this market. A cockpit that is logically laid out and ergonomically correct, with a cabin that is more snug than spacious. Oh yeah, and one of the most peppy two-litre engines to fall of the end off a production line.
With 148 hp and 148 lb ft, it ranks right up there with the two-litre available in the Lancer GT. But the torque curve is much meatier, with more than 80 per cent of twist available from 2000 rpm. Like all of Audi products that this tester has come across, just jumping on the throttle drowns the delivery. Aggressive feeding of the A3 pedal will result in tyre chirps on any surface. And the noise is reminiscent of the great engines of times past, when Weber 40 IDE's ruled the roads and that wonderful induction harmonic was something that was aimed for, like good paint and tight suspension.
Where the real value lies, though is in the quality of the ride and the overall balance of the car. The camber changes built into the front end cope with pot holes and hills like nothing this side of an A6, and the chassis feels as if it is equipped with rear wheel steer (it isn't). Handbrake turns done with the power on reveals an astonishing characteristic; the momentum in such a slide can be maintained or not with judicious throttle application.
Balance
The car will pirouette in its own length once the momentum isn't allowed to slough off, which is real fun to do and impresses the hell out of BMW owners. The balance of the car is impeccable, and this, coupled with the electronically governed floppy paddled seven-speed auto gearbox makes quick road work a joy. It is a deceptively quick car, as jaunts on the Marcus Garvey and Spanish Town carriage ways proved, the A3 most adept at flicking in and out between lesser machines, the car is as taught as a longshoreman's biceps, the engine note inspiring Herr driver to even higher heights of naughtiness.
A3 is the gateway into the Teutonic automotive performance experience. It has the ride, balance and features to compete with any vehicle sold in Jamaica at this price range, and brings to market that European feel that does not generally filter down in cars at this level. Highway passing just needs a nudge on the indicator, the turn signal blinking for at least three seconds after the turn stalk has returned to the centre position and leaving the driver for that short space of time to think about more important things. Little touches like this make a difference at any price level. For $3.995 million, its priceless.
mario.james@gleanerjm.com
