Oops...nevermind.

 

Audi probably didn't come out with a 2.0T quattro because given that the FWD 2.0T was slow enough (almost 7 sec 0-60), the added weight of the quattro would have mde the 2.0TQ even slower, moving its performance into economy car catagory. Audi and the rest of the German brands are marketed as a sports luxury brand in the US, as opposed to a premium brand in Europe and the rest of the world. Obviously, it could be made faster by a chip, but Audi cannot market a slow car and tell everyone it could be faster with an aftermarket product that voids the warranty.

The 3.2 likely went away because of CAFE standard. Given that in the US does not offer the non-performance engines like the 1.6 TDI, they have to chop off their bigger naturally aspirated engines.

 

If you're not going to mod the car, the 3.2 is sweeter than the 2.0T by far. If buying used, the deal gets even sweeter. Unless the person before you took special care of the turbo, and they *do* require special care, then the 3.2 will still be going long after the 2.0T is sitting in the junkyard being parted out.

As Kirk already said, the exhaust note is much nicer...the 2.0T sounded lame in comparison. The 3.2 pulls from the get-go, instead of having to wait. And yes, the power delivery is smooth, and jamming on the throttle is wonderful. When the average 3.2 reaches 200k miles, the average 2.0T will be in the scrap yard because of sludge, or a blown turbo because the oil channels got coked up because of improper cool downs. Mind you, the 3.2 is a gas guzzler unless you are doing a lot of highway mileage. In town, I'm getting about 17 MPG. Highway will get you 25 on longer trips.

And about the person who said that the 2.0T won the best engine, don't listen to people that are not detail oriented, because they always miss or ignore things that are important. It won "best in it's class". It is not in the 3.2 class, and to get into the 3.2 class, you will probably be spending about the same amount of money as you would on a 3.2 and you will probably be voiding any factory warranty on the car in the process. It really all depends on your own desires and what you want. Just don't flog the car and then foist it on an unsuspecting buyer down the road.

 

The only way I would get the 2.0T is if it was an A4 because it has the true Quattro system.

If I was looking at a FWD 2.0T you might as well just get a GTI, I think they look awesome and much more bang for the buck.

 

I think the next A3 is slated for 2011. I can see the non S3 coming with a 2.5tfsi or maybe even the 3.0S(t)fsi! I do not think I would want a 3.2, from what I have read and seen. Too much fuel consumption, little to no real tuning parts, very low resale (here anyway). The most popular A3's here in Germany are the 1.8TFSI 160hp, 2.0TFSI 200-220hp and of course the Diesels 1.9TDI 105hp, & 2.0TDI 140/170hp. Also the 3 door versions seem to be more popular than the Sportback.

 

Yep, two totally different perspectives for two totally different countries. As far as fuel consumption is concerned (as you stated), that's not near the concern here in the US as it is where you are. The gas here is still relatively cheap. Audi, as well as BMW and Mercedes, are sold here as luxury performance automobiles. I honestly don't think they could pull off selling a car that had less than 200 hp in the US. But over there they need to have that type of line up due to fuel cost.

 

I know what you mean, fortunately for me I am with the US military here and our fuel is tax free. I would not mine driving an A3 with the 2.0TDI, I got a loaner from the Audi dealer here while getting my A4 serviced. It was a 3 door A3 with the 1.9TDI 105hp (now replaced with the 1.6TDI) and while its top speed was only around 115mph it was fairly quick (floored it everywhere I went) drove over 120km in this little hatchback, and did not have to fill it up. It was still showing full. The 140hp or 170hp 3 door A3 would be even more of a blast to drive I think (and very cheap on fuel).