New 2012 Audi A3 Details Emerge - Sedan Variant Planned

Audi A3 Facelift

By Thami Masemola
May 4, 2009 3:02 PM
Filed Under: Audi, German, Rumours

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.

Source: autocar

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Tags: Audi A3, 2012 Audi A3

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Comments

sideskraper

May 4, 2009 3:15 PM

if it's a jetta with four rings and leather no thanks.

but if they take the lead from vw with their passat CC then it could be interesting/cool/fun. especially for people who want the S3 but don't want a hot hatch.

N20_Purge

May 4, 2009 3:26 PM

This seems good, I'm hoping it would be less bland than this model. And the new S3/RS3 is definately worth looking at!

sub39h

May 4, 2009 4:07 PM

MacPherson strut and 4 link rear? that's the same as the current setup, and coincidentally (he says sarcastically) the Mk6 Golf... please don't call it a "new generation" platform WCF. it's the current platform, it's just going to have been warmed over a bit.

politz

May 4, 2009 5:01 PM

hope they fiz the pricing issue too. both in brazil and in the us the a3 is priced too high, especially in the top spec versions. the lofty priced and now defunct 3,2 version, for example, was a big mistake in the us. giving the 2,0t a pricetag identical to that of the mb c200 in brazil is not a smart move either. you see, 5 years ago, audi was the top selling premium brand in brazil. now it's been surpassed by mb, bmw and even volvo.

nederina

May 4, 2009 5:57 PM

i suppose bmw is working on its next generation four door sedan rear wheel drive 1-series with laughable rear space.

lucifa

May 5, 2009 11:22 AM

Just a message from someone who's 6"3 actually buying a 1-Series, it has plenty of rear space. Coupe's a bit tighter than the hatch, but still enough room to be comfortable. Don't just listen to Jeremy Clarkson -- he likes to dramatise. ;)

nederina

May 5, 2009 1:40 PM

i totally agree with you. i've rented the 1-Series, looks great and i just love its compact size. The rear space isn't bad but the problem is the rear seats are low and could hurt your ankle over long distance - leather is pretty hard too. i am not really a fan of jeremy either. =D

Schizo0223

May 4, 2009 8:07 PM

There is demand for these lower priced premium cars. When the A3 was launched here in Korea the sporty spec "Dynamic" model sold out and was placed on back order. But then again...most people that bought them were the same demographic that would have bought a fully loaded GTI...(the price tag is not too much different)

joshg_5

May 4, 2009 11:10 PM

I agree that "jetta with four rings and leather" is stupid.

BUT... The new A3 sedan will fill the market that the A4 left when the '09 model came out, because it's more like an A6 now...HUGE!!!

An S3 Sedan would be great. Cars are just getting way too bloated for my liking.

dbehmoaras

May 5, 2009 1:52 AM

An A3 sedan would fly in the US. If the price is right, people will be all over the A3.

sugar-ray

May 5, 2009 2:36 AM

AUDI= Cheap....All models look the same.., lame and neglecting design

James2911

May 5, 2009 1:18 PM

The cheap shots at Audi are beginning to wear thin. If you hate them so much why do you continue to read the articles and then repeat the same comments time after time?

Edited by user on May 5, 2009 at 1:20 PM

TheKing

May 5, 2009 5:37 PM

Well, because Audi is the only brand that is trying to be BMW even though they are way off the mark. Back to the story: what's the point of bring this Audi disguised VW Golf to the US? They are the same car anyway, just different badges with leather interior! the 1 Series is so much more premium than this junk!

fusion01

May 6, 2009 1:11 AM

That's just rediculous. The Audi's interior is more upmarket than a VW's. How much I can't say but in every review that's been stated. I reckon very much on a par with the 1 series. Whether you'd WANT to spend so much more on a these vs a Golf is up to you, but I've no doubt there's a difference. You driven a 1 series Beemer and Audi A3? If not, why comment with no hint of doubt?

fusion01

May 6, 2009 1:07 AM

'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.' - this is absurd. The A3 at present is one of the most boring cars on the road. Audi need to do with the next iteration what VW did with the Golf from the MK4 to MK5: a radical overhaul. 'Slighly edgier'? It'll need a lot more than that. They probably reckon some LED's in the light housings will do the trick! If so, FAIL.

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