Audi
After weeks of enjoying the forbidden fruit, that’s the next generation Audi A3 SportbackFinally we get a look at the variant that will come to America at some point. Get to know the Audi A3 Sedan 2021 with its dramatically updated technology and its muscular new design.
The new sedan is not much bigger than before. With an expansion of 128 inches, the new A3 is only about 1.6 inches longer than the current four-door and 5.9 inches longer than the updated Sportback that was introduced last month. The 103.8-inch wheelbase remains unchanged for this model year 2021. The elbow and shoulder room increases by less than an inch and the trunk capacity remains unchanged at 15 cubic feet, with the remaining dimensions closely adhering to the established font.
With its compact footprint, the new A3 offers a much more aggressive design. A deep undercut in the flank of the sedan emphasizes the continuous shoulder fold, which extends from the headlights to the rear, but also throws the meaty fender “quattro blister” around the wheel arches and the sporty lower sills in a sharp relief. Although the new A3 sedan is only 0.8 inches wider than before looks like rocking a widebody kit. I just imagine how much meaner an RS3 variant would look, send chills in my back.
If you keep your eyes off your hips long enough, you may find that the rear of the roofline has a gentler, “coupe-like” slope. The effect is subtle – not quite as good as the Mercedes-Benz CLA class, for example, but significantly less upright than before.
At the front you will find an enlarged “single frame” grille with honeycomb pattern as well as larger and sharper LED headlights. Like many new Audi models, including the upcoming E-Tron Sportback, the next A3 will be available with the automaker’s light-shaping matrix LED hardware that US drivers can use if it becomes legal on our highways. The new design is rounded off by a slightly higher rear with a new LED rear light design and an enlarged rear diffuser, which improves aerodynamic efficiency at high speeds.
Tech updated
The interior is redesigned with a completely new dashboard design and the latest generation of Audi tech. The new cockpit is much more angular and more driver-oriented and its infotainment stack tilts slightly towards the pilot’s seat. In front of the steering wheel is a new standard digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster or, with the Virtual Cockpit Plus upgrade, a customizable 12.3-inch display. On the left is the main infotainment display, a 10.1-inch touchscreen that looks much better than the “Toaster” pop-up display the last A3 that I drove.
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Based on the modular third-generation infotainment platform from Audi, also known as MIB3, the MMI touch infotainment suite of the new A3 offers ten times more processing power than its predecessor, with powerful handwriting recognition, a voice command in natural language and one with 4G LTE connected target uses search and a variety of new functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity return as standard functions. On the wide center console, I see two Type C USB ports for charging and connecting smartphones, a small physical control button and a new electronic shift lever. In Europe, the new A3 can also use an NFC-compatible Android phone as a key to unlock the doors, start the engine and drive away without fob. However, it is unclear whether this feature will be used in the United States.
Safety technology is enhanced by the latest generation of Audi collision mitigation technology and improved adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning technology. In addition to the on-board hardware, the new A3 will be the latest Audi to be equipped with “car-to-x” connectivity functions, such as: Traffic light assistantEfficiency Assist, a fuel consumption coach that makes suggestions based on traffic and navigation data. This is a countdown for changing the traffic lights in the dashboard. Car-to-X enables swarm reports for things like road hazards or dangerous weather, finding a parking space and more, depending on the availability and infrastructure in your Waldhals.
Mild hybrid assist
So far, Audi has only published information on European powertrain options. Everywhere, buyers can choose from four different configurations – from a 30-TFSI three-cylinder to a pair of 2.0-liter diesel engines – the most interesting of the gasoline engines being 35 TFSI. This 1.5-liter four-cylinder with turbocharger delivers 148 hp when combined with a six-speed manual transmission. However, if you choose the seven-speed dual clutch transmission, an additional 48-volt mild hybrid system and an additional 37 pound-feet are added on-demand torque for the party. The electrical support helps accelerate and improves the stop-start system so that the engine can stop more generously when coasting or idling. In combination with the cylinder-on-demand technology, Audi expects the mild hybrid to average between 47 and 50 mpg in the new European driving cycle.
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Although this 35-TFSI is certainly interesting, I expect North Americans will likely get a version of the 2.0-liter turbo four that uses the current A3 40 and 45 TFSI and at least the current range of 184 up to 228 HP. It is also unknown whether the new 48-volt electric assistant will be available or not.
Expect a little more about pricing and specs in the U.S. as Audi continues to work out the details for its launch in North America later this year. In the meantime, German pre-orders for the Audi A3 2021 will be opened at the end of this month. Delivery begins in summer. Starting prices start at $ 32,400 (converted from the euro price) for the 35 TFSI and drop to $ 30,120 when the 30 TFSI is included in the lineup after launch.