Car Review: 2006 Audi A3 3.2 Quattro

Premium hatchbacks never did well in the United States. We've had the BMW 318ti and the Mercedes C230, both of which never sold enough to propagate further years of development. Over in Europe, however, premium hatchbacks have always had a place in the market. Audi, for example, has had their A3 over there since 1996, while we've just recently received the 2006 model. Perhaps this, and other new US bound hatches (like the Volvo C30), is an indication that car makers are trying to kindle up a demand for a premium hatchback.

Purpose is what defines the type of car people want to buy. You don't (shouldn't) buy an SUV if you just want to take your kids to school and pick up groceries every week. You don't want a big four-seater sedan if you want to carve up the corners or visit your local track. Audi has taken this into account when designing the A3. The "sportback" version (the only version that the US gets) is pretty much a small four-door sedan that's been put into a compactor. You get ample leg-room in the back (if your friends aren't giants, that is), plenty of space up front, and a more-than-adequate truck (hatch) space for your groceries, dog, and/or hair-styling products. This car's purpose, therefore, is pretty much the same as the absolutely engorged market of four-door sedans: space, roominess, comfort. But, in addition to those purposes, the hatch design unique to the Audi A3 provides more than most of the four-door generic-boxes can provide: sportiness, unique design, versatility.