Audi New A3

Audi has taken the wraps off the new second-generation A3 sedan. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan rival has grown in dimension, is better looking than before, and gets new-age connected technology while also debuting hybrid powertrain for the first time. It is expected to go on sale in April 2020 in the European markets. Meanwhile, Indian debut is likely to happen next year.

Adopting Audi’s new design language, the A3 sedan is now longer, wider and taller than the older model. However, the wheelbase remains the same. But the roof line is now more coupe-like. Upfront, the single-mesh honeycomb grille is flanked by Audi’s latest headlamp design which first debuted with the Q8. These headlamps consist of pixel array made up of 15 LED segments. In profile, the three-box design has sharp and well-pronounced creases running along the side. At the back, the downsized A6 aesthetics is apparent with similar taillamp design, well-defined boot and simple bumper design. And the boot size remains unchanged over the older model.

The thoroughly new cabin of the A3 comes with Audi’s latest Virtual Cockpit and a heads-up display. The 10.25-inch MMI touchscreen features latest MMI user interface. The compact sedan also gets all the connectivity features Audi has on offer. Even the steering wheel is new, and air-vents are repositioned while the centre console is connected with the dashboard like the ones seen on sports cars. The gear lever is replaced by a small joystick which is shift-by-wire scrounged from Mk8 Golf. Overall, the new A3 sedan’s cabin looks more upmarket and expensive than before.

The new A3 sedan is available with a choice of two TFSI petrol engines and one TDI diesel engine. One of the TFSI motors is a 150bhp 1.5-litre unit with 48V mild-hybrid system. It’s mated to a seven-speed DCT and can recover over 16bhp on regenerative braking. An improvement of 10 per cent in fuel consumption and reduction in CO2 is claimed by the German carmaker. The other two engines are – 148bhp 35 TFSI and a 2.0-litre TDI making similar power. The former gets a six-speed manual while the oil burner can be had with a seven-speed S tronic.