Preview: Audi planning handful of new A3 variants

Posted Tue Apr 21 2009 7:57 PM by Kenneth Hall

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

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.

Gallery: Audi A3 hatchback rendering

Reader Comments

Thu Apr 3 2008 12:00 AM
mlevere1992 says

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'
Thu Apr 3 2008 9:39 AM
Michael says

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
Thu Apr 3 2008 11:40 AM
lexlife says

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.
Thu Apr 3 2008 12:55 PM
cj says

...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
Sat Apr 5 2008 5:47 PM
NaBUru38 says

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.
Fri Mar 20 2009 8:16 PM
NaBUru38 says

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.
Fri Mar 27 2009 10:24 AM
353s says

S3 already has the turbo 4cl. from the TTS... last gen. had the V6.
Tue Apr 21 2009 8:05 PM
NoNameDenton says

Heard a regular sedan was being considered
Wed Apr 22 2009 12:42 AM
Aiman says

It is nice to see small coupes from premium manufacturers which are well engineered at relatively affordable prices.
Wed Apr 22 2009 9:21 AM
rsteck says

S3 currently has a V6? I am pretty sure it is a 2.0L I-4 with ~270HP.
Wed Apr 22 2009 6:30 PM
Roy says

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...
Wed Apr 22 2009 9:05 PM
NoNameDenton says

I would prefer the diesel
Wed Apr 22 2009 11:45 PM
mburleigh8 says

OOO that little 3 door sport hatch looks pretty cool.

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