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Audi is offering the Attraction, Ambition and Ambiente equipment lines as
selections on the new A3; they let the customer choose the specific vehicle
character they are looking for. Designers have developed attractive colors and
materials for each of the versions. Customers can choose from among many sporty
and convenient options that extend up to adaptive lighting, magnetic ride
suspension and a panoramic glass sunroof.
Another technical area in which the 2013 Audi A3 is trying to keep up with the
competition is in its new high-performance driver assistance systems. They range
from radar-assisted adaptive cruise control to Audi side assist, Audi active
lane assist, traffic sign detection, park assist and the Audi pre sense basic
safety system.
In the infotainment area too, the innovative modular architecture hosts a whole
array of components. It includes the sound system from Bang & Olufsen and MMI
navigation plus. They are ideally complemented by the Bluetooth online car phone
with WLAN hotspot. It gives passengers access to the Internet while traveling;
for the driver, there are customized online services that make up the Audi
connect package. The new Audi A3 will launch with three four-cylinder engines,
all of which are essentially new developments. The two TFSI engines and the TDI
work with 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0 liters of displacement. Their power levels are 90 kW
(122 hp), 132 kW (180 hp) and 110 kW (150 hp). Compared to the previous model,
fuel economy of the new A3 was improved by about 12 percent on average - with
some engines the savings are even greater.
The 1.8 TFSI operates together with a standard seven-speed S tronic; the 1.4
TFSI and 2.0 TDI are paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. In each case,
engine power is always transferred to the front wheels; quattro permanent
all-wheel drive - and other engines, including a 1.4 TFSI engine with innovative
cylinder on demand technology from Audi - will follow over the course of the
next few months.
The chassis of the new A3 combines sporty driving fun with good comfort and
impressive stability. The wheel suspensions form the foundation here, and the
finely tuned power steering system has a highly efficient electromechanical
drive. The ESC stabilization control integrates the electronic limited slip
differential - which makes handling even more fluid and safe at performance
limits when driving through curves.
The optional Audi drive select system (standard on the Ambition line) lets the
driver vary the operating modes of key components - such as steering, the
accelerator pedal and transmission characteristics (with S tronic) - for a
customizable driving experience. It also incorporates the optional adaptive
shock absorbers; they utilize magnetic ride technology from Audi. Wheels range
from 16 to 18 inches in diameter.
The new Audi A3 will go on sale in the spring, and first deliveries to customers
will be this summer. The base price of the A3 with the entry-level engine, which
will follow around the end of the year, will be 21,600 euros in Germany.
Audi A3 1.8 TFSI S line: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications
