Audi A3 Pushed as Efficient, Entry-Level Luxury

Audi is launching its new, third generation Audi A3 at the Geneva Motor Show, and it is touting its weight loss and increased efficiency over the old model. 

Audi is launching the A3 with three, four-cylinder engines. The 1.4 TFSI with 122hp comes with a six-speed manual, and Audi says that it will offer a version of this engine later with cylinder deactivation. The 1.8 TFSI with 180hp comes with a standard seven-speed automatic. Finally, the one diesel in the initial lineup will be a 2.0 TDI with 150hp also with a standard six-speed manual. 

Soon after release Audi will offer a 1.6 TDI that uses 3.8l/100km and emits 99g/km of CO2. It is also planning hybrid, natural gas and Audi e-gas later on. 

All A3s at first will only be available with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive will come later. ESP and an electronic differential are standard. 

The new A3 drops 80kg over the old model, despite identical length. The wheelbase is up to 2.6m though - a 23mm increase. The base A3 1.4TFSI weighs 1,175kg. Much of the weight loss is due to the front fenders and hood being made of aluminum. 

The A3 will be available with two optional headlight systems. Bi-xenon headlights with LED running lights and LED tail lights and full LED headlights will be available. 

The interior sees a far cleaner Audi style than in the past. There are fewer buttons, which have been replaced by the pop-up MMI screen that is controlled with a wheel behind the gearshift. It makes the inside of the new A3 look much less cluttered than the old model. On the Ambition and Ambiente trim grades, this screen will be in 3D. 

Audi is also offering an array of drivers' aids including: radar-assisted adaptive cruise control, Audi side assist, Audi active lane assist, traffic sign detection, park assist and the Audi pre-sense basic safety system. It will also offer the ability to tether your phone to the car to make it a wireless Internet access point. 

The new A3 goes on sale in the Spring with a base price of €21,600 in Germany.