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Preview: Audi planning handful of new A3 variants

Preview: Audi planning handful of new A3 variants

Kenneth Hall April 21st, 2009 Kenneth Hall By Kenneth Hall Author April 21st, 2009
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December 31st, 1969 Audi has pushed back the arrival of its next-generation A3 by one year as it tackles the development of several other all-new models such as the A1 hatch and Q3 soft-roader. Originally slated to arrive at the end of the year, the next A3 will now hit the market in the first half of 2010 in the basic three and five-door hatchback models. Further down the track Audi will add a new Cabrio model and Sportback wagon, and according to a new report there could even be a four-door coupe as well as an Allroad soft-roader. The move is designed to help the new A3 compete with BMW’s 1-series range as well as a family of sporty models based on the next-generation Mercedes A and B-Class. The new A3’s underpinnings will once again be shared with VW’s Golf, which means Audi’s latest modular platform design has been ruled out. Compared with the current model, however, the new A3’s footprint will grow in size and its profile is expected to be sleeker. Audi’s latest-generation B8 A4 grew in length by 14cm over its predecessor, positioning it closer to the 5-series and E-Class in terms of size. The gap left behind will be filled by a new A3-based sedan, which German magazine Autobild reports will stretch 4.2m in length and feature coupe-like styling. Likely engine options for the A3 range of cars include a series of four-cylinder powerplants ranging from 1.2 to 2.0L in displacement. The base engine will be a 1.2L TFSI with 105hp and 175Nm of torque and this will be followed by a 1.4L TFSI with 125hp and 200Nm of torque and a 1.8L TFSI with 160hp and 250Nm of torque. Rounding out the four-cylinder family will be a 2.0L TFSI with 211hp and 350Nm of torque. For the performance S3 model, expect to see a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine as opposed to the naturally-aspirated V6 found in the current model.Audi A3 hatchback rendering
The next A3 will spawn several variants including a new four-door coupe and possibly an Allroad soft-roader

The next A3 will spawn several variants including a new four-door coupe and possibly an Allroad soft-roader

Enlarge Photo

Audi has pushed back the arrival of its next-generation A3 by one year as it tackles the development of several other all-new models such as the A1 hatch and Q3 soft-roader. Originally slated to arrive at the end of the year, the next A3 will now hit the market in the first half of 2010 in the basic three and five-door hatchback models. Further down the track Audi will add a new Cabrio model and Sportback wagon, and according to a new report there could even be a four-door coupe as well as an Allroad soft-roader.

The move is designed to help the new A3 compete with BMW’s 1-series range as well as a family of sporty models based on the next-generation Mercedes A and B-Class. The new A3’s underpinnings will once again be shared with VW’s Golf, which means Audi’s latest modular platform design has been ruled out. Compared with the current model, however, the new A3’s footprint will grow in size and its profile is expected to be sleeker.

Audi’s latest-generation B8 A4 grew in length by 14cm over its predecessor, positioning it closer to the 5-series and E-Class in terms of size. The gap left behind will be filled by a new A3-based sedan, which German magazine Autobild reports will stretch 4.2m in length and feature coupe-like styling.

Likely engine options for the A3 range of cars include a series of four-cylinder powerplants ranging from 1.2 to 2.0L in displacement. The base engine will be a 1.2L TFSI with 105hp and 175Nm of torque and this will be followed by a 1.4L TFSI with 125hp and 200Nm of torque and a 1.8L TFSI with 160hp and 250Nm of torque. Rounding out the four-cylinder family will be a 2.0L TFSI with 211hp and 350Nm of torque. For the performance S3 model, expect to see a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine as opposed to the naturally-aspirated V6 found in the current model.
Audi A3 hatchback rendering
Gallery
  • 2011 audi a3 sportback preview rendering 001
  • 2011 audi a3 3 door preview rendering 001

Tags: Spy Shots, Hatchbacks

Posted in: Audi, Spy Shots


Comments (13 total)

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  1. By mlevere1992 #1, Posted: 4/2/2008

    Sounds exactly like what BMW is doing with their 1 series but they get to it first. I have always wanted to see an A3 coupe\ '3-door sports hatch'

  2. By Michael #2, Posted: 4/3/2008

    I love the current A3 model but I do not like at all the new style shown in the 2011 Audi A3 rendering photos, (Personal opinion here so don't shoot me) I would prefer to buy the BMW 1-series instead of this one

  3. By lexlife #3, Posted: 4/3/2008

    Its nice that the S3 will finally be available in the US....in 2011.
    BMW has stated (for now) not to expect an M version of the 1 series
    however the tii version is a go. Something even more powerful from
    them will need to arise to batttle the very fast awd S3. With gas prices
    continuing to rise, I can envision these pocket rockets becoming very
    popular for the forseeable future.

  4. By cj #4, Posted: 4/3/2008

    ...or...the new B class hatch back thats a seriously good looking cqr, the S3 is tame btw I'd have the 170bhp 2.0tdi over the 2.0tfsi they have in the S3...why not put the 3.2 V6 they already have in the top of the range A3 as the S3 and make the 2.0tfsi the top of the range A3

  5. By NaBUru38 #5, Posted: 4/5/2008

    If the A3 gets a sedan body style, it should measure at least 4.40 meters long, like the Ford C1 trio (Focus, S40, Mazda 3). 4.20 meters is less than the Logan, and about the same as the current A3 hatch and most C-segment hatchbacks.

  6. ma_NaBUru38 avatar by NaBUru38 #6, Posted: 3/20/2009

    It'd be so cool that Audi stuck a 1.2L engine to an A3. One gets shocked by such a low displacement, but later one remembers that the current model's natually-aspirated 1.6L gasoline engine is less torquey than the expected 1.2 TSI.

    The current A3 Sportback is much better than the three-door version, but all these A1 and Cross Quattro concept cars make the current car's rear end look a bit old. The renderd car's tail is simply great: a small third box, a faster rear window and Q5-like taillights. It looks astoundingly identical to my video game's Donauer hot hatch.

  7. ma_353s avatar by 353s #7, Posted: 3/27/2009

    S3 already has the turbo 4cl. from the TTS... last gen. had the V6.

  8. ma_NoNameDenton avatar by NoNameDenton #8, Posted: 4/21/2009

    Heard a regular sedan was being considered

  9. ma_Aiman avatar by Aiman #9, Posted: 4/21/2009

    It is nice to see small coupes from premium manufacturers which are well engineered at relatively affordable prices.

  10. ma_rsteck avatar by rsteck #10, Posted: 4/22/2009

    S3 currently has a V6? I am pretty sure it is a 2.0L I-4 with ~270HP.

  11. ma_Roy avatar by Roy #11, Posted: 4/22/2009

    The A3 is available with a 3.2 litre V-6 but the S3 variant has a 2 litre turbocharged four cylinder engine that develops a little more power. I'd happily drive either!
    I'm sad that the next generation will grow in size. At least Audi has room for an A1 (a new baby) beneath the A3. If the BMW 1-series continues to grow, they're going to be out of luck naming the new small BMW...

  12. ma_NoNameDenton avatar by NoNameDenton #12, Posted: 4/22/2009

    I would prefer the diesel

  13. ma_mburleigh8 avatar by mburleigh8 #13, Posted: 4/22/2009

    OOO that little 3 door sport hatch looks pretty cool.

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