Audi may have found an ace up its sleeve in the quest to unseat BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the North American market. According to the UK's Autocar, the German automaker will introduce the new A3 in the US in 2011. In addition to the hatchback, the cabriolet and Sportback, a new sedan model will be sold for the first time.
Autocar's source claimed that Americans are very much into the four-door format and Audi is making plans to accommodate these needs. The A3 sedan would be about as long as a Jetta and be shaped like a coupe. It would have a larger boot space than the Sportback.
The car's design will be slightly edgier than the current look in accordance to Audi design trends. It will still look like an A3 though.
A new generation platform will underpin the car whose suspension system will feature a four-link arrangement at the rear and a McPherson layout at the front.
Engines expected should include a new entry level 1.2-litre TSI with 105bhp (78kW). It is to replace the current 1.6-litre naturally aspirated motor. Other engines will include a 1.4 TSI with 140bhp (104kW) and a 1.8 TSI making 170bhp (127kW).
The S3 quattro will get a power hike of up to 280bhp (209kW). Also expected is the 335bhp (250kW) RS 3 which has been spied doing testing a couple of times before. Audi is also set to take on BMW's 400Nm 123D with a new 2.0-litre TDI that produces 204bhp (152kW).
Coupled with the cars will be the standard 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed DSG.
