Photo: CarPix
So far this winter, we've seen every type of A3 facelift model, including the sedan, hatchback and 3-door. Audi USA also leaked the RS3 performance sedan, so we know what changes will be made. However, this is the A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid, and it has different features.
Sure, the headlights are the same as what we've seen already, having a strong resemblance to the A4, but the e-tron model has distinctive trim. For instance, the grille is made up of more horizontal chrome bars.
The A3 e-tron's sister car is the Volkswagen Golf GTE. That model features distinctive C-shaped LED elements in the front bumper that let everybody know it's (partially) electric.
The facelift to the e-tron is bringing such features to the A3 as well. You may have already noticed that there are boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights on the sides of the bumper. Their design will be the trademark of the e-tron brand, having already been seen on the Chinese A6 e-tron and the Q7 e-tron.
While the GTE has two exhaust pipes at the back, pretending to be a hot hatchback, the A3 model has no such thing. Instead, the gasses coming from the 1.4-liter turbo engine are pointed straight down below the bumper. Speaking of which, the rear skirt has a new design that we believe will combine matte black and chromed surfaces. Just don't scratch it when parking.
This test prototype doesn't have a heads-up display, but since Audi offers that on the Q2, we believe it will be optional on the A3 as well. The e-tron model already has a bespoke instrument cluster that shows how well you are driving. However, a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit system should also be offered. Considering the e-tron is already an expensive car, a €500 option isn't going to hurt much.
On the powertrain front, we expect to see revisions of the current system. Newer GTE models have slightly more power. For example, the Passat offers 218 PS, thanks to a slight increase in output for the TSI engine. That doesn't sound mind-blowing, but that's what you used to get from a V6 engine in the early days of the A3.
The A3 e-tron's sister car is the Volkswagen Golf GTE. That model features distinctive C-shaped LED elements in the front bumper that let everybody know it's (partially) electric.
The facelift to the e-tron is bringing such features to the A3 as well. You may have already noticed that there are boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights on the sides of the bumper. Their design will be the trademark of the e-tron brand, having already been seen on the Chinese A6 e-tron and the Q7 e-tron.
While the GTE has two exhaust pipes at the back, pretending to be a hot hatchback, the A3 model has no such thing. Instead, the gasses coming from the 1.4-liter turbo engine are pointed straight down below the bumper. Speaking of which, the rear skirt has a new design that we believe will combine matte black and chromed surfaces. Just don't scratch it when parking.
This test prototype doesn't have a heads-up display, but since Audi offers that on the Q2, we believe it will be optional on the A3 as well. The e-tron model already has a bespoke instrument cluster that shows how well you are driving. However, a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit system should also be offered. Considering the e-tron is already an expensive car, a €500 option isn't going to hurt much.
On the powertrain front, we expect to see revisions of the current system. Newer GTE models have slightly more power. For example, the Passat offers 218 PS, thanks to a slight increase in output for the TSI engine. That doesn't sound mind-blowing, but that's what you used to get from a V6 engine in the early days of the A3.
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