Audi has just revealed the second generation of the Audi A3 and what can I say, it looks striking! It has grown 40mm longer, 20mm wider and 10mm taller compared to the previous generation. Let’s get a bit more in-depth on the subject.
Design
The very first thing one notices in a new car is the design – both inside-out. The car has gone from being sober to well not-so-sober. It looks like a child who has just hit his prime during puberty, undergoing dramatic changes whilst trying to blend in with his family members. The new A3 has got it just right, blending in with his father (A6) and grand-father (A8) in the Audi family. It has gone from being pushed around by the CLA earlier to bullying the new A-class limousine.
Upfront, the new A3 has a big hexagonal mouth and some fake air vents on the sides. The top model boasts of matrix LED technology and new DRLs (daytime running lights) consisting of 15 LED segments! The side profile is balanced for a short-saloon car. The cuts and lines running throughout the bodywork make it look sporty yet it manages to retain that Audi subtleness. The design theme – ‘sleekness’ continues to the arse of the car and oh bless me god for Audi not putting fake exhaust tips. Personally, I really like the car’s design language.
Interior
Audi has been a sneaky bugger and copied some stuff off some cars. Copying isn’t necessarily cheating if the end product looks something like this. It’s like they took inspiration from some cars. Audi said something about the surfacing on the doors being inspired by the Lamborghini Countach, I actually don’t get what they are trying to claim here but okay. Audi has also claimed that they took inspiration from another Lamborghini (Urus) for the interior. This can actually be seen clearly around the AC vents near the steering wheel. Lastly, the gear selector for the AT transmission is just like that of a Porsche 911.
Similar AC vents (near the steering wheel) to the Urus 
Lamborghini Urus 
Lamborghini Countach 
Porsche 911 gear selector
It is an up-market car with upmarket interiors. Quality is expected to be exceptional just like all other Audis. The S-line version is expected to get interior ambient lighting, Alcantara and of course S-line badging. The new interior is leaps ahead of the previous generation.
Talking Numbers
The car is to be offered with 2 TFSI and 1 TDI engine options. Power outputs for the following engine options are as follows-
1.0L 3-cyl (Petrol) = 110hp
1.5L 4-cyl (Petrol) = 150hp
2.0L (Diesel) = 116hp
2.0L (Diesel) = 150hp
A diesel would only be offered in Europe. The 1.5L petrol also gets a mild-hybrid system but only for the AT option. This would be capable of providing a short boost of 50Nm.
Oh! I almost forgot to tell you that you can get shifty too as the car would offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox (for the petrol). Can’t confirm the MT for the Indian market though. Also, the A3 has a luggage capacity of 425L (if you are interested in that).
The vehicle’s drag coefficient has also reduced from 0.29cd to 0.25cd (for all you wonder heads, this means that the car has become more slippery through the air). This has been achieved by – the slats in the grille being able to close when the engine doesn’t need cooling (like in the 3-series), special air vents feeding air into the wheel arches to reduce turbulence caused due to the spinning wheels and lastly, Audi has put some flat underfloor cladding to help airflow.
No pricing has been announced officially but you may expect it to be priced around $30,000 for the entry-level car and $43,000 for the top of the line. Prices may go up a bit for the Indian market, thanks to taxes and stuff. The car is expected to hit showrooms in Europe later this year. American and Indian markets would have to wait until 2021 for the car.
Features
Audi has always been known for its clever car tech. The A3 too packs a punch with some cool features like the connected car functionality, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple Car-Play and Android Auto, HUD, a fully digital cockpit, adaptive cruise control, frontal crash prevention, CAR2X (This feature enables your car to analyze the environment around it. E.g. Recognising traffic lights – it can inform you when it is about to go green or red), adaptive dampers, etc.
Simply, the A3 is as modern as anything else rolling on the streets.
Conclusion
The new A3 looks fresh, blends in with the Audi pack and sure does pack a punch with its cool gadgets. It could be a worthy rival to the BMW 2-series Gran Coupé and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. A strong package overall. Power figures could have been slightly better though. Let’s hope that it doesn’t venture into the 3-series price corner after entering the Indian market because that could turn the tables for Audis’ new product.
Previous A3 
Previous CLA 
2-Series Gran Coupé 
A-Class Limousine
Some people have already spied prototypes of the spicier S3 and RS3 versions but could there be a cabriolet version too?
What are your thoughts on this smoky new sedan and would you be interested to buy one over the competition? Let me know in the comments below.
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