Initially, its premiere was planned at the Geneva Motor Show along with a hatchback, but the coronavirus epidemic prevented these intentions, according to Automedia.
The four-door Audi A3 turned out to be only half a copy of the A3 Sportback — up to the B-pillars. The sedan received a completely new rear design, which is made in the style of the brand’s larger 4-door models. The drag coefficient is 0.25, which is 0.04 better than its predecessor.
The dimensions have also changed a bit. The sedan is 15 cm longer than the new hatchback and 4 cm longer than the previous 4-door generation. However, the trunk volume remained the same — 425 liters (380 liters for a hatchback). The increase in height is only 1 cm, and in width — 2 cm. Audi specifies that the headroom of the front passengers is 2 cm, since the seats are placed lower.
The interior of the four-door model is similar to the Audi A3 Sportback and focused on the driver. The basic equipment includes a 10.1-inch multimedia system display and a 10.25-inch virtual instrument panel. A 12.3-inch instrument panel and optional head-up display are available at an additional cost.
The multimedia itself provides access to a large number of online services, connecting to the Internet via a Wi-Fi hotspot, interacting with smartphones that work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, and much more. An Audi connect key is also available — the possibility of replacing the ignition key with a smartphone. The number of driver assistants has also been increased, which together provide a second-level autopilot.
At the start of sales, the Audi A3 sedan will receive a choice of 3 engines. The base version of the 35 TFSI gets a 1.5-liter engine with 150 hp. and a 6-speed manual transmission. There will also be an option with a robotic transmission, which will receive a starter-generator powered by a 48-volt network and giving an additional 50 Nm.
A similar system will also be offered for the 2.0-litre diesel. At the moment, its power is 116 hp. There will also be another petrol turbo engine with 3 cylinders and 110 hp. (will also be available as a mild hybrid, but with a 7-speed robotic transmission). At a later stage, versions with an all-wheel drive system, full-fledged hybrids, as well as “hot” modifications — S3 and RS3, which will develop 310 and 400 hp, should be released. respectively.
Audi also offers a choice of suspension at launch. The sedan will be available with standard springs, a sporty variant and adaptive dampers. There will also be an Audi Drive Select system, allowing you to choose between several stiffness modes. Their change will take place from the salon.
Audi dealers start accepting orders for the new A3 sedan (manual) at the end of April. The A3 35 TFSI version starts at €29,800, while the hatchback with the same engine and equipment costs a minimum of €27,700.
