Audi A3 diesel India review, test drive

Ride and Handling

Complementing this engine is a great ride and handling balance. The ride on this diesel Audi A3 felt a bit firmer but that has more to do with the optional 17-inch lower profile (225/45 R17) wheels since both petrol and diesel versions have the same suspension setup. Just like its petrol sibling, the diesel A3 rides reasonably flat on long stretches of undulations, and the Audi felt unflappable over broken sections of road. Even moderately deep potholes are dispatched without much of a fuss, and despite the lower profile rubber, really jarring thuds don't filter through into the cabin.

The long, fast corners before the Ukhalivat tunnel gave me a chance to see how well this diesel A3 carried itself through corners. Simply put, it feels rock solid through the bends and holds the tarmac with a vice-like grip. Despite being front-wheel-driven and slightly nose-heavy, the A3 diesel can carry some serious speeds entering a corner, and most drivers in our conditions may never come even close to its limits; the steering is very accurate and never feels overly light.