Audi has always been a very good car with a touch of luxury but not to expansive. The 2010 Audi A-3 is sort of the entry level Audi although I hesitate to call any Audi a entry level vehicle. The Audi A-3 is quite a nice ride and is fun to drive and rides and handles very well. The Audi A-3 is a four door hatch back that comes either in front wheel drive or all wheel drive and with a gas or a Diesel engine. Much to disappointment the turbo Diesel is not available in all wheel drive. I have never understood why so many manufacturers don’t offer a Diesel all wheel drive. The 2010 Audi A-3 comes with two engines. Their is a 2.0 liter turbocharged DOHC in line four cylinder with FSI direct injection, intercooler, and four valves per cylinder. It develops 200 horsepower at 5100-6000 RPM and 207 lb-ft of torque at 1800-5000 RPM. It is available with a six speed manual transmission and front wheel drive or a six speed Stronic automatic transmission with front wheel drive or a six speed Stronic automatic transmission with quattro all wheel drive. The 2.0 liter TDI is a turbocharged DOHC in line four cylinder with TDI clean Diesel common rail direct injection, intercooler and four valves per cylinder. It puts out 140 horsepower at 4200 RPM. It is surprisingly peppy and drives and handles really well. No problems merging or keeping up with traffic. It comes with a six speed Stronic automatic transmission and unfortunately only front wheel drive. The A-3 TDI achieved 50 MPG during the Audi Mileage Marathon which tested TDI clean Diesel technology in a cross country trip from New York to Los Angeles. These were professional drivers but I would expect 40+ and some people will get 50 MPG once the engine is broken in. As all or most all of the new vehicles now days the A-3 comes with all the latest safety and handling equipment. The A-3 Premium comes with most of the goodies. You get the integrated LED turn signals in the exterior mirrors. I really like the Audi concert radio with ten speakers and Sirius Satellite radio. It is aa 140 watt system with 10 total speakers. It has a CD player with MP3 playback capability. It has Graduated Audio Level adjustment which ensures optional volume levels as road and engine noise increase as speed increases. I The A-3 has dual zone automatic climate control, Sirius Satellite Radio and Electronic Stabilization which keeps the vehicle easier to control in adverse conditions or when you are pushing it to its limit. With the Premium Plus you get a;ll the Premium equipment plus power seats and Bluetooth hands free phone interface. If you want your A-3 a little more sporty you can get the sports package that includes sports seats, 18″ five tri spoke wheels with 225/40 summer performance tires and a sport suspension. In Colorado you would probably want the cold weather package which includes heated exterior mirrors, heated front seats and heated windshield washer nozzles. There are eight exterior colors and two or three leather colors depending on the exterior color. My choices would be Aruba Blue or Brilliant Red with the Luxor Beige interior. A loaded A-3 TDI will run about $36,000. The cheapest base model will run you $27.745. The A-3 is a very nice middle sized family car that drives and handles well and is still affordable. Category:Home › Home • Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars? — part 2 • Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars? — part 1 • Should the crew of the Sea Shepherd board whaling ships? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 13 • Grandparents: Can blogging chronicle your genealogy? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 12 • Are teachers unions the cause of public school problems today? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 11