Audi A3 Sportback 1.0: A litre goes a long way

A 999 cc engine makes the Audi A3 Sportback cheaper, but does it cheapen the driving experience?

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The Audi A3 Sportback 1.0 has direct fuel injection, a turbocharger and even a 48-volt mild hybrid system, all in the name of saving fuel. PHOTO: BIG FISH PUBLISHING
The A3 Sportback comes with such niceties as wireless Apple CarPlay, powered front seats, an electric tailgate, a neat little touchpad for the sound system, a parking camera and keyless access. PHOTO: BIG FISH PUBLISHING
The 1-litre engine could save you plenty more at the pumps; on paper it’s a teetotaller that ought to squeeze out more than 1,000 km from a fill-up. PHOTO: BIG FISH PUBLISHING

Leow Ju-Len

Published Sat, Jul 30, 2022 · 05:50 AM

ONE of my fondest motoring memories involves maxing out a 1-litre Volkswagen Polo on the highway (I won’t say where, but it wasn’t in Singapore), hanging onto the steering wheel for dear life and standing on the accelerator for ages, until the speedo’s needle finally crept its way past 200 km/h.

On the other hand, one of my biggest regrets is going for the magic 300 km/h in a Ferrari and chickening out. Not because the speed frightened me, mind you, but because the berk in the passenger seat let out such a blood-curdling shriek that my foot jumped off the accelerator at 293.

That haunts me to this day. It also just goes to show, there’s wisdom in the old adage that it’s more satisfying to drive a slow car fast than to drive a fast car slow.

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