The all-new Audi A3 may be foremost on our minds as it was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. More intriguing, however, is the Audi A3 sedan concept that Audi had on display too.
The German luxury brand took the opportunity to confirm that it would expand the A3 range after showing an A3 sedan concept (pictured) at the same show last year. The sedan will be available in both left-hand- and right-hand drive, which means Audi South Africa will surely be considering the car for our local market.
The Audi A3 sedan concept measures 4.4 metres long, compared to the 4 237 mm length of the three-door A3. Both body styles share a wheelbase of about 2 600 mm. Both share the Volkswagen Group’s ‘MQB’ modular platform, which will eventually underpin more than 40 models by 2018. Volkswagen’s seventh-generation Golf, which will be unveiled at the 2012 Paris motor show in September, will sit on the same platform.
While the new Audi A3 hatchback will continue to compete with other premium offerings, such as the BMW 1-Series, Lexus CT200h and Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the Audi A3 Sedan will thrust the company into a new market segment that, with pricing below the A4, could see it take on smaller sedans like the Volkswagen Jetta and Honda Accord.
