The all-new Audi A3 has been unveiled in Geneva. The changes bring the all-new A3 up-to-date with the rest of Audi’s refreshed lineup.
Revealed in three-door hatchback form, the new A3 will take on the BMW 1-Series and the recently revealed Mercedes-Benz A-Class in the competitive luxury compact segment. While the styling takes a predictable, evolutionary step forward, the Audi says the new third-generation A3 has made revolutionary leaps in driver appeal, technological sophistication and quality.
It is the first vehicle to use the new MQB (Modular Transverse Matrix) platform that will be used in a number of future Audi A3 variants as well as the next generation Volkswagen Golf. The new car is also 80 kg lighter than its predecessor and the chassis of the new platform has been tuned to give what is described as a sporty and agile driving style.
While the new Audi A3 remains unchanged in size over its predecessor with dimensions of 4 237 mm long, 1 777 mm wide and 1 421 mm tall, the wheelbase has grown slightly by 23mm to 2 601 mm. The most immediately recognizable change is the adoption of Audi’s more aggressive, sharper design language, with thinner, more tapered headlights, taillights and a hexagonal grille opening that’s reminiscent of the new A7 and recently updated A4 and A6 models.
Three engines will be available when the car launches in Europe in September, with all three engines make use of direct fuel injection, turbocharging and stop/start technology, contributing to average fuel consumption improvements of 12 per cent.
The only diesel unit, the 2.0-litre TDI produces 110 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0 – 100 km/h is 8.6 seconds and fuel consumption is 4.0 L/100km on the combined cycle. A more efficient 1.6 TDI will debut later in 2012, with consumption of just 3.8 L/100km.
The entry-level petrol is the 90 kW and 200 Nm 1.4 TFSI. It completes the benchmark 0 – 100 km/h sprint in 9.3 seconds and uses 5.2 L/100km according to European standards.
The more powerful 132 kW and 250 Nm 1.8 TFSI manages a 0 – 100 km/h time of 7.1 seconds, yet its average fuel consumption is just slightly more at 5.6 L/100km.
The 1.4- and 2.0-litre engines are mated to a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, with a 7-speed S-tronic being fitted to the 1.8-litre TFSI.
Inside, the Audi A3 is brought up-to-date with the company’s latest MMI system. Depending on the specification level, the display screens come in 5.8- or 7.0-inch sizes, both of which are just 11 mm thick and rise up automatically from the dashboard. Customisation is said to be a major focus of the new Audi A3, with an wide range of interior surfaces, colours and materials to choose from.
Expect the Audi A3 hatch to arrive in South Africa in early 2013, when it will continue to battle with the BMW 1-Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
