Posted on Wednesday 2 April 2008
Audi has pushed back the arrival of its next-gen A3 by one year as it tackles the development of several other all-new models such as the new Q5 SUV and A1 minicar. Originally slated to arrive next year, the next A3 will now hit the market in early 2010, initially in its regular three-door hatch bodystyle and then in cabrio and performance S3 guises. According to a new report Audi is prepping even more A3 models including a compact sedan, A3 Allroad and a sportback hatch.
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 B-Class. The 2011 A3’s underpinnings will once again be shared with VW’s Golf, which means Audi’s latest modular platform design has been ruled out. However, compared with the current model, 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 mag Autobild reports will stretch 4.2m in length.
A new cabrio model will once again be offered, featuring an automatic folding soft-top, optional AWD and a roomier cabin than the current car.
Engine options 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. 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.
2011 Audi A3 renderings
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’
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
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.
…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
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.