Audi has revealed the second-generation Audi A3 sedan with a new coupe-like roof design, subtle changes to its exteriors and new interiors updated with the latest generation equipment. The Audi A3 is based on the same updated MQB platform but as compared to its predecessor, the all-new Audi A3 sedan is 40mm longer, 20mm wider, 10mm taller with 20mm more headroom on the interior but retains the same wheelbase and 425 litres luggage carrying capacity.
The all-new Audi A3 sedan on the design and styling features a large single-frame honeycomb grille with Audi branding and chrome bezel, angular downward drawn trapezoidal headlamp units with Audi Matrix LED technology with 15 LED segments on the top-spec trim, LED daytime running lights.
When viewed from the profile the new Audi A3 comes with flared rounded wheel arches, with a concave dip on the lower parts of the doors accentuating the shoulder line. The sedan also features chrome window sills and a sloping roofline that slopes from the B-pillar to the tailgate with an integrated spoiler on the tailgate lip optionally available in carbon fibre finish. The sloping roofline gives the four-door sedan a coupé-like appearance and features wraparound LED tail lamps with aero ducts on the rear bumper and chrome treated embellishments.
The Audi A3 sedan also claims to be more aerodynamically efficient than the predecessor with two electrically actuated louver modules behind the single-frame grille that control the cooling-air inlet, a large diffuser, panelled underbody, aerodynamically improved wing mirrors (ORVMs) and active brake cooling that reduces air resistance. The new A3 sedan with the 2.0 TDI 150 ps engine achieves a Cd value of 0.25 and is therefore 0.04 Cd points better than the predecessor.
In the engine department, the Audi A3 is powered by the 35 TFSI 1.5-litre petrol engine with 150 hp of output and comes with a 6-speed manual transmission and a 7-speed S Tronic automatic. The S Tronic variant comes with a 48V mild-hybrid system that supports the engine with an additional 50 Nm of torque, cylinder on-demand and coasting with the engine turned off, depending on the situation. The Audi A3 also comes with a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine with 150 ps of output matched to a shift-by-wire 7-Speed S Tronic transmission.
Pre-sales on the Audi A3 begin from the end of April 2020 in the European market and the new-generation Audi A3 sedan is expected to arrive in the Indian market by the second half of 2021. As of now, the brand sells the A6, A8 L and the Q8 in the Indian market with other models temporarily suspended and expected to return with new updates soon.