The Start of Something New
By TurboDan | 04.25.05 | Talk about it in the luxury forum

As great as the Saab 9-3 Sports Sedan is, there's a downside:  the quintessential European premium hatchback is as much a memory as the much less-loved Chevy Cavalier.  Sure, there's the 9-2x, but somehow, that "Made in Japan" sticker doesn't fly right with real European enthusiasts.  Then, there's the Volkswagen Golf - but it just doesn't offer the premium features that many Euro car fans are used to.  That leaves us with the Mercedes C230 Coupe; while a great car, it's been called the "teenager's Mercedes" due to its young-trending driver base.

So what's a European hatchback lover to do these days?  Audi to the rescue?  Well, maybe!  Presenting...  Audi's A3:

Visitors to the NYIAS surround the A3.  Drool wipes, anyone?

And before you as - it's more than just a "dressed up Golf."  The folks at Audi have strengthened the suspension, added Audi's proprietary engines under the hood, and plan to release a "sport" version with more goodies.  Of course, the premium features on the inside are nothing to sneeze at, either. 

We took to the driver's seat to get an up-close look at the panel.

Could this be the Saab replacement I've been looking for?  Well, it's not Swedish, but it sure is tempting.  Audi's interior shines in a class by itself.  The materials are excellent, and the locations of the various instruments are intuitively-placed and easy to find.  Most importantly, the layout of the windows and various panels give you a full, generally unobstructed view of what's around you - something that I always make sure to check out whenever I'm sitting in a new hatch.

Overall, the A3 was a great start to my day at the auto show - and I was quick to ask the saleswoman when the A3 would go on sale.  I, for one, can't wait to test one on the road in May!