A few days ago, Volkswagen showed a very impressive-looking Touran MPV, which they developed on the MQB platform and fitted with all the latest engines and tech. Compared to previous people-movers they made, it's an absolute stunner and it lead us to believe Audi is backing the project with the intent to also launch its own A3-based model.
For a relatively long time, Mercedes has been selling huge quantities of the B-Class in Western Europe, particularly in Germany where it's their best seller. BMW has just started challenging them with the 2 Series Active Tourer, leaving the four-ring brand as the only premium firm without a tourer.
For about two years, it's been speculated that an A3 Plus model is being developed and should be based on the MQB platform. Of course, Audi makes better use of the architecture than Skoda or SEAT, fabricating the bonnet and wings from aluminum and offering an interior that shares no buttons with sister brands.
This next rendering was created by Auto Projecoes and has been based on the 2016 Touran. At the front, the new design language first seen on the Q3 facelift is applied, resulting in a wide fascia with imposing grille structure.
Without a development prototype ever being spotted, the A3 Plus is unlikely to debut until 2016. But if it does, what kind of engine will it have? The same ones as the Touran, of course, which include 3 petrol units and 3 diesels. The TSI/TFSI units start with a 1.2 making 110 PS, followed by the 150 PS 1.4 and the 180 PS 1.8-liter. Available diesels are the 190 PS 2.0 TDI that's also available on the Passat. There's also a 150 PS model, but the most economical is the 1.6 TDI which returns an average of 4.1 l/100 km with the 7-speed DSG.
As for luggage space, it's kind of absurd at 1,040 liters (when loaded to roof height up to the second seat row). That's about two and a half times more space than in an A3 sedan. Wow!
For about two years, it's been speculated that an A3 Plus model is being developed and should be based on the MQB platform. Of course, Audi makes better use of the architecture than Skoda or SEAT, fabricating the bonnet and wings from aluminum and offering an interior that shares no buttons with sister brands.
This next rendering was created by Auto Projecoes and has been based on the 2016 Touran. At the front, the new design language first seen on the Q3 facelift is applied, resulting in a wide fascia with imposing grille structure.
Without a development prototype ever being spotted, the A3 Plus is unlikely to debut until 2016. But if it does, what kind of engine will it have? The same ones as the Touran, of course, which include 3 petrol units and 3 diesels. The TSI/TFSI units start with a 1.2 making 110 PS, followed by the 150 PS 1.4 and the 180 PS 1.8-liter. Available diesels are the 190 PS 2.0 TDI that's also available on the Passat. There's also a 150 PS model, but the most economical is the 1.6 TDI which returns an average of 4.1 l/100 km with the 7-speed DSG.
As for luggage space, it's kind of absurd at 1,040 liters (when loaded to roof height up to the second seat row). That's about two and a half times more space than in an A3 sedan. Wow!