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All you need to know about the new Audi A3

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

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.

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.

Make sure to follow me on my Instagram @revv_reviews (by clicking here).

Alfa Romeo has done it again: GTA and GTAm launched!

Let me summarise this article for you – ‘FLABBERGASTING MACHINE’. A true spectacle to behold. Now that’s that, moving on with the article.

With the Geneva motor show being canceled so did the launch of many new cars (canceled because of COVID-19). Alfa then decided to go for plan-B and launched the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA and GTAm online. Sorry to start this article off with some bad news but the rumored circa-600bhp version of the Giulia Quadrifoglio hasn’t been made. It is not all dark though as we see the new Giulia GTA and GTAm return as poster boys bringing back the GTA badge which stands for Gran Turismo Alleggerita or “Grand Touring Lightened” in English. Also, Alfa celebrated its 110^th birthday! (whoa that’s old)

Are you not a mainstream car kinda guy? Do you want a track toy? And most importantly do you have what it takes to maintain the character (of breaking down) of an Alfa? Finally, we have a car for you my friend. A car which will give you all the problems your wife would too but the thing is you will still love it as if it were new each day.

Let’s talk styling and I will use just one word to describe it – ‘Italian’. The Giulia in all eyes and angles is a beauty. Complete car p**n if I should say so.

Fuel consumption? Ahh! Who cares? If you do please click away right now lol.

What has changed?

The car has lost some weight not because it has been on a diet but due to the extensive use of carbon fiber. The Giulia GTA has carbon components for the hood, roof, front bumper, and fenders which helps it shed 221 pounds (100 kilograms) off in comparison to the existing Quadrifoglio. All this brings the curb weight to around 1,520 kg. If you’re looking for more (oh sorry I meant less), the company also has the GTAm with just two seats, six-point harnesses, and a roll bar, while remaining fully street legal. Hence, saving even more weight.

Alfa has also improved the GTA’s handling by widening the front and rear track by 50 millimeters. Broader fenders cover the additional width. New springs, shocks, and bushings update the suspension and add to an already sharp car.

On the exterior, the car features an active front splitter that comes from the brand’s relationship with Sauber Engineering. At the back, there is a large diffuser and a big wang *cough cough Civic owners. The combustion gases leave the vehicle through an Akrapovič titanium exhaust with a pair of circular outlets at the center of the revised rear bumper. The hood has also been raised slightly. The sedan rides on 20-inch wheels which bear resemblance to a clover. The GTAm gets a few special pieces (on the exterior) like a sizable front splitter and a carbon fiber rear wing.

The interior layout is the same as that of the Giulia but there is quite an addition over the regular to make you feel even more special driving around in a super sedan. Alfa has covered the GTA’s cabin in Alcantara, including the dashboard, door panels, pillars, and center of the seats. The GTAm takes things to the next level by using carbon fiber seats and covering the empty space in the back with Alcantara. It also has Lexan polycarbonate windows replacing the side and rear glass to reduce weight even further!

What about the heart and soul? (Engine and Performance)

The car is powered by an updated version of the Ferrari-derived 2.9 liter 90-degree twin-turbo V6 that now produces 533 horsepower! That’s a 28 hp gain over the Quadrifoglio which has 505 hp. That does not seem like a lot of gain but it is enough considering the fact that the car is 100 kilograms lighter than before. Both the cars will do a 0-100 kmph (0-62 mph) sprint in just 3.6 seconds! The car was already agile to begin with and this performance boost is all it needed for the extra icing on the top of the cake. BMW fanboys where ya at?

Bookings and other information

Alfa Romeo has already started advanced bookings and will close them as soon as the 500^th unit has been reserved. Yes, you heard me correct – Only 500 of these will be made – It won’t be long until the bookings close because the car seems to generate quite a lot of hype in the market. The first 500 people to place an order for the GTA or the GTAm will get a personalized experience package kit which will include a Bell helmet in a GTA livery, a full racing outfit from Alpinestars (gloves, shoes and race suit) and a personalized Goodwool car cover to keep your special Alfa away and safe from prying eyes when you are not there to protect it. The owners will get to use this gear at a course devised by the Alfa Romeo Driving Academy.

Alfa is yet to reveal a price for the new GTA and GTAm. Although, we can expect it to be BMW M3 CS levels and not as whacky as the Jaguar XE Project-8. This info about the GTA and GTAm only applies to the European market, currently. It’s not clear whether the company intends to offer these models elsewhere.

You can also check out their teaser video here-

Do you think that Alfa is all set to get back into the game? Also are you interested to book one? And how do you think it compares to the competition? Let me know in the comments.

Mercedes is AMG but Alfa is OMG. Get the joke. eh? (sorry I had to include it 😂)