The Audi A3 Sportback and VW Golf GT TDI compete in Europe in the hatchback segment. Though North American enthusiasts can buy the Audi A3, VW does not import the GT TDI, which is the top of the line diesel Golf in Europe, with near GTI-liter performance. Though the two cars come from what is, in essence, the same company, they are quite different.
Engine
By far the biggest difference between the two hatchbacks is the motor that powers each of them. The Audi A3 comes with a variety of conventional gasoline motors. There is a turbocharged 1.4-liter with 123 horsepower and a 1.6-liter that produces 101-bhp at 5600 rpm and 109 lb-ft of torque at 3800 rpm. There is also a 3.2-liter 6-cylinder with 250-bhp.
The Golf GT TDI relies on a diesel engine with common rail fuel injection that displaces 2.0-liters. This engine puts out 168 bhp at 4200 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 1750 rpm.
Gearbox
Both the Golf and the A3 are available with either a 6-speed manual or a DSG semi-automatic gearbox that is shifted with paddles.
Chassis
Both of these models are front wheel drive. The 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter A3 has 16.5-inch wheels at all four corners with 205/55-16 tires, but the 3.2 gets 17-inch wheels. The Audi is 101-inches long, 69.5-inches wide and weighs 2701 lbs. The 3.2-liter A3 gets Quattro all-wheel-drive.
The Golf uses 17-inch wheels with 225/45-17 tires. Its length is 165.5-inches and is 69.3-inches wide. The Golf weighs 2928-lbs.
Packaging
Both of these models are five-door hatchbacks.
Performance
The Audi A3 with the 1.6 gets to 100-mph in 12.1 seconds and can reach a top speed of 115 mph. The 3.2-liter model does 0-to-60 in 6.3 seconds. The Golf GT TDI does 0-to-100 in 8.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 135 mph.
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