Our team of dedicated sly photographers has once again caught up to the all new A3. This all important compact model is the backbone of their sales, and it was supposed to see a new generation making its debut this year. However, Audi realized they needed an answer to Mercedes and BMW faster, and development of the A4 facelift and A6 sedan and Avant were given priority.
Now, the A3 is once again on top of the development totem poll. These photos show the third generation of the hatch, based on the same flexible and scalable MQB platform that also underpins the seventh iteration of the Golf.
The engine range will of course be completely turbocharged, and will also include the fresh 1.4-liter TFSI with 140 hp. Expect to see start-stop tech and even cylinder deactivation across the range. It’s also likely that the A3 will debut at the same time as the sporty S3 model. Rumor has it that this will be sold for the first time as a sedan version, and will be powered by a 280 horsepower 2.0-liter four-pot.
A recent venture with a Chinese partner has been announce, which is believed to result in the sedan version of the A3 being built there. As a result, we believe the four-door will arrive sooner than 2013.
As for the three- and five-door hatches, we’d say they are bound for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.
The engine range will of course be completely turbocharged, and will also include the fresh 1.4-liter TFSI with 140 hp. Expect to see start-stop tech and even cylinder deactivation across the range. It’s also likely that the A3 will debut at the same time as the sporty S3 model. Rumor has it that this will be sold for the first time as a sedan version, and will be powered by a 280 horsepower 2.0-liter four-pot.
A recent venture with a Chinese partner has been announce, which is believed to result in the sedan version of the A3 being built there. As a result, we believe the four-door will arrive sooner than 2013.
As for the three- and five-door hatches, we’d say they are bound for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.
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