Photo: Audi
Audi has showcased the facelifted version of the A3 today, and it comes with much more than design changes.
Before we get into particulars, let’s take a look at how the facelifted A3 looks. The compact model from Audi has borrowed the appearance of the A4, its big brother, which received a new generation last year.
Thanks to the change, the A3 has a sharper look, but it also does follow the criticized “Matrioska” trend of the German carmaker which causes some models to look too much alike and appear as if they are just different sized versions of one another. While criticized, this tendency is applied by most carmakers because it brings brand recognition and awareness.
The rear of the car also comes with a design change, and the color palette has been enhanced and improved. Twelve paint options are available, five of which are new.
The S Line exterior package can be ordered with a “pearl effect paintwork” called Daytona gray.
For the first time, A3 customers will be able to buy an optional S line sport package, or a design selection equipment line for every version except the basic models. The other significant change to the A3 applied with the facelift concerns the technological side of the car, now available with modular designed equipment lines, offering a broad freedom of choice.
The German automaker has enhanced the range of driver assistance systems featured on the A3, raising the bar for its rivals.
They are now offering elements that used to be reserved for the upper-class models, like active lane assist, predictive pedestrian protection, and the Audi pre sense front assist system.
Another novelty in the compact segment is the traffic jam assist function, which operates with the help of the radars from the Adaptive Cruise Control and the Stop&Go feature. Thanks to this optional feature, the driver can set the car to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of it, and S-Tronic models can even stop and start again without operator intervention.
The absolute segment novelty is the system’s ability to control the steering at speeds of up to 65 km/h (40 MPH). The latter only works on “well-paved roads,” and still requires the driver to pay attention to the traffic. Still, this feature is impressive in this class.
Another technological feature borrowed by the A3 facelift from the upper-class models is the Emergency Assist system, which is capable of braking to a full stop if it does not detect any precautionary action from the driver in the case of an imminent collision. The latter is an optional system, and so is the rear cross-traffic assist, which can warn the driver when reversing onto oncoming traffic.
Audi also allows A3 facelift customers to purchase the optionally available “Virtual Cockpit,” also known as the 12.3-inch TFT digital gauge cluster. Just like on the TT and the A4, the system features an excellent resolution and ditches analog gauges altogether to provide a customizable driver interface.
Also in the infotainment department, the MMI system has been redesigned and has a new interface. Naturally, it supports the Android Auto and Apple Car Play functions, and comes with a seven-inch electrically retractable monitor as the standard for the multimedia display.
Optional features include navigation with Google Earth and Google Street View, traffic information in real time, 4G LTE connection (Audi connect SIM card included with the option for the European market), and other services. The interior of the A3 also comes with an optional heated steering wheel, and a massage function for the driver’s seat.
Audi claims that the A3 comes with the first Matrix LED headlights in the segment, but this applies only to the premium compact segment. The 2016 Opel Astra was the first C-Segment car to be offered with this optional feature since last fall, but the two models are positioned in different areas of the compact segment.
However, Audi’s A3 facelift does come with the lowest weight in the class, as it dropped some pounds with the restyling. The 1.0 TFSI engined A3 only weighs 1,150 kilograms (2,535 lbs), making it the lightest compact car on the market. Yes, you read that correctly, the A3 has a new 1.0-liter TFSI engine. Audi says they have enhanced the crash protection of the A3 to a great extent, and the windshield now comes with noise insulation as standard equipment.
Audi has lowered the weight of the A3 with the facelift, but the German automaker has not specified the average weight saved in the range. However, we do know that the A3 facelift comes with improved powertrains, such as the 1.0-liter TFSI and the 2.0-liter TFSI gasoline units.
The plug-in hybrid in Audi’s facelifted compact range, the A3 Sportback e-tron, has a 1.4-liter TFSI engine that delivers 150 HP and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft), mated to an electric motor that provides 75 kW and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft). Combined, the hybrid system provides a maximum output of 204 HP, and the 8.8 kWh battery can be fully charged from a 380-Volt three-phase plug in just two hours.
Audi did not forget about the g-tron variant of the A3, which uses the company’s e-gas as fuel. This version has a 1.4-liter TFSI engine which delivers 110 HP, and can work with natural gas as well.
For the performance enthusiasts, the Audi S3 comes with an extra 10 HP and 20 Nm (14 lb-Ft), but the latter only comes with the S Tronic versions. Furthermore, Audi has improved the Electronic Stability Control of the S3, and the multi-plate clutch of its S Tronic transmission.
Audi will open order books for the new A3 facelift in May, and the first customers will get their cars this summer. The cheapest Audi A3 with the 1.0-liter TFSI engine will cost 23,300 euros in Germany.
Thanks to the change, the A3 has a sharper look, but it also does follow the criticized “Matrioska” trend of the German carmaker which causes some models to look too much alike and appear as if they are just different sized versions of one another. While criticized, this tendency is applied by most carmakers because it brings brand recognition and awareness.
The rear of the car also comes with a design change, and the color palette has been enhanced and improved. Twelve paint options are available, five of which are new.
The S Line exterior package can be ordered with a “pearl effect paintwork” called Daytona gray.
For the first time, A3 customers will be able to buy an optional S line sport package, or a design selection equipment line for every version except the basic models. The other significant change to the A3 applied with the facelift concerns the technological side of the car, now available with modular designed equipment lines, offering a broad freedom of choice.
The German automaker has enhanced the range of driver assistance systems featured on the A3, raising the bar for its rivals.
They are now offering elements that used to be reserved for the upper-class models, like active lane assist, predictive pedestrian protection, and the Audi pre sense front assist system.
Another novelty in the compact segment is the traffic jam assist function, which operates with the help of the radars from the Adaptive Cruise Control and the Stop&Go feature. Thanks to this optional feature, the driver can set the car to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of it, and S-Tronic models can even stop and start again without operator intervention.
The absolute segment novelty is the system’s ability to control the steering at speeds of up to 65 km/h (40 MPH). The latter only works on “well-paved roads,” and still requires the driver to pay attention to the traffic. Still, this feature is impressive in this class.
Another technological feature borrowed by the A3 facelift from the upper-class models is the Emergency Assist system, which is capable of braking to a full stop if it does not detect any precautionary action from the driver in the case of an imminent collision. The latter is an optional system, and so is the rear cross-traffic assist, which can warn the driver when reversing onto oncoming traffic.
Audi also allows A3 facelift customers to purchase the optionally available “Virtual Cockpit,” also known as the 12.3-inch TFT digital gauge cluster. Just like on the TT and the A4, the system features an excellent resolution and ditches analog gauges altogether to provide a customizable driver interface.
Also in the infotainment department, the MMI system has been redesigned and has a new interface. Naturally, it supports the Android Auto and Apple Car Play functions, and comes with a seven-inch electrically retractable monitor as the standard for the multimedia display.
Optional features include navigation with Google Earth and Google Street View, traffic information in real time, 4G LTE connection (Audi connect SIM card included with the option for the European market), and other services. The interior of the A3 also comes with an optional heated steering wheel, and a massage function for the driver’s seat.
Audi claims that the A3 comes with the first Matrix LED headlights in the segment, but this applies only to the premium compact segment. The 2016 Opel Astra was the first C-Segment car to be offered with this optional feature since last fall, but the two models are positioned in different areas of the compact segment.
However, Audi’s A3 facelift does come with the lowest weight in the class, as it dropped some pounds with the restyling. The 1.0 TFSI engined A3 only weighs 1,150 kilograms (2,535 lbs), making it the lightest compact car on the market. Yes, you read that correctly, the A3 has a new 1.0-liter TFSI engine. Audi says they have enhanced the crash protection of the A3 to a great extent, and the windshield now comes with noise insulation as standard equipment.
Audi has lowered the weight of the A3 with the facelift, but the German automaker has not specified the average weight saved in the range. However, we do know that the A3 facelift comes with improved powertrains, such as the 1.0-liter TFSI and the 2.0-liter TFSI gasoline units.
The plug-in hybrid in Audi’s facelifted compact range, the A3 Sportback e-tron, has a 1.4-liter TFSI engine that delivers 150 HP and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft), mated to an electric motor that provides 75 kW and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft). Combined, the hybrid system provides a maximum output of 204 HP, and the 8.8 kWh battery can be fully charged from a 380-Volt three-phase plug in just two hours.
Audi did not forget about the g-tron variant of the A3, which uses the company’s e-gas as fuel. This version has a 1.4-liter TFSI engine which delivers 110 HP, and can work with natural gas as well.
For the performance enthusiasts, the Audi S3 comes with an extra 10 HP and 20 Nm (14 lb-Ft), but the latter only comes with the S Tronic versions. Furthermore, Audi has improved the Electronic Stability Control of the S3, and the multi-plate clutch of its S Tronic transmission.
Audi will open order books for the new A3 facelift in May, and the first customers will get their cars this summer. The cheapest Audi A3 with the 1.0-liter TFSI engine will cost 23,300 euros in Germany.
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