Beautiful also from behind

With the number of lines being significantly reduced and the individual surfaces split up graphically, the entire rear end is very clear and consistent in its look from every angle. Indeed, this evolution of the car's design language bears out a clear resemblance to the former model winning so many awards and prizes for its design. A striking feature clearly representing the dynamic character of the car is the visible tailpipes extending out of the single- or double-chamber exhaust system, depending on the car's engine.

Another striking feature not only versus the former model is the shoulder line connecting the side and the rear of the car. Running parallel to the lower sill of the windows and next to the lower rear lid joint, this line subdivides the side areas horizontally, the dynamic line continuing along the lower end of the bumper and again creating a formal link to the side of the car.

Extra-large and literally pushing to the outside, the rear-light covers are again an outstanding feature of the A3. Indeed, in their proportions they follow the overall design of the new car versus its predecessor: wider, lower, rising up from the side to the rear in a gentle, curved line. By comparison, the side lines extend down almost vertically, forming a clear division at exactly the right points. And the rear lights high up at the back of the car accentuate the trapezoidal design of the rear section particularly at night, giving the new Audi A3 its powerful, bullish appearance from behind.

The result is a rear end particularly calm in design, characterised by gentle curves and only a few lines. Especially from a lower angle, the rear of the A3 is very muscular and powerful in its looks, again accentuating the width of the car. And the clearly contoured C-pillars smoothly inclined without any steps or inserts again serve to underline this superior impression of power and strength.

Interior design

Two features characterise the interior design of the new Audi A3 most appropriately: sportiness and elegance. Typical examples in this context are the lower seat position, the high and wide centre console, and the clear, generous subdivision of the dashboard. The outstanding flair and appeal of the interior surfaces and each individual detail, in turn, is the result of materials in supreme quality and a perfect finish at the highest level of craftsmanship.

The flush transition from the dashboard to the door-sills is also typical of the brand, slowly tapering out in a discreetly rising line from front to rear, again forming a dynamic arrow look in the process. The instrument cluster is housed within an almost round cover, an element consciously taking up the design of other sporting Audi models such as the TT and A4 Cabriolet.

Once again, numerous details help to make the new A3 a genuine Audi in every respect. To begin with, this starts with the car's ergonomics, that is the perfect position of the gearshift lever as well as the accelerator pedal in upright position like on a sports car and the clear contours of the instruments and controls bearing out the precise architecture of a chronometric watch.

Superior ergonomic design is combined with equally outstanding aesthetic qualities throughout the car's interior: Typical examples are the round air vents with aluminium surrounds, the rotary knobs on the automatic air conditioning also boasting metal rings round the edge, as well as the generous aluminium trim on the door and glove compartment handles.

Shaped like a boomerang, the trim panel inside the doors adds a particular touch of dynamism. This design element is then taken up again in the rear, serving furthermore to combine all functions - door handle, armrest, window lift and door opener - within one single unit.

Connecting the centre tunnel with the vertical plane on the console, two slender beams create an impression of particular lightness. And it is no coincidence that this feature is reminiscent of a genuine icon in modern automotive design, the Audi TT.

Three equipment lines

The new Audi A3 is continuing the successful equipment line concept already featured by its predecessor, offering the customer a choice of three lines with attractive elements perfectly matched with one another:

  • the Attraction line full of character,
  • the particularly sporting Ambition line, and
  • the highly exclusive Ambiente line.

    Apart from the wheels and functional signs of distinction, these lines also come in different colours, with different types of upholstery, steering wheels and trim features. Just one example: Whilst the trim in the Attraction models comes in grained, matt-painted plastic, the interior trim on the sporting Ambition models is finished in black or blue piano paint finish and comes in a choice of either amber Vavona wood on the Ambiente versions, with burr walnut available as an option on all models.

    Lots of extra spaceA significant increase in space for all occupants bears clear testimony to the substantial progress offered by the new generation of the A3.

    Wheelbase extended by 65 millimetres or 2.56" serves to increase interior length by almost the same figure (+ 55 millimetres or 2.17"). And the greater width of the car (+30 millimetres or 1.18") ensures a significant improvement of interior comfort.

    Compared with the former model, the rear-seat passengers in particular benefit from much more kneeroom (+29 millimetres or 1.14") and both rows of seats offer significantly more shoulder room (up by 30 millimetres or 1.18" at the rear and 42 millimetres or 1.65" at the front).

    Thanks to the low position of the seats reminiscent of a sports car, headroom remains virtually the same as before despite the reduction in overall height.

    Not only the increase in dimensions helps to provide more space inside, but also many improvements in the car's design economy: Space-saving design and configuration of the handbrake lever with its Z-shaped mechanism provides adequate space on the centre console for two additional cupholders also easily accessible from the rear seats.

    All occupants benefit from easily accessible storage options, the driver and front passenger being able to use extra-large pockets in the front doors and in the glove compartment, as well as numerous storage options on the centre console and the large storage area in front of the gear lever. And at the rear there are additional storage boxes in the side panels.

    The storage package available as an option comprises, inter alia, nets in the front-seat backrests, a storage compartment beneath the driver's seat, a net in the front passenger's footwell, and bag hooks with an additional net beneath the luggage compartment cover. A sunblind extending over the rear window (standard in the Ambition models) keeps out prying eyes and excessive heat - another innovative feature in the compact range integrated in the luggage compartment cover as an option.

    The optional, folding centre armrest at the rear housing two cupholders and a storage box offers particular versatility and practical benefits. When folded down, it provides through-loading complete with a removable transport bag for up to four pairs of skis or two snowboards.

    The luggage compartment of the new Audi A3 is quite sufficient even for substantial transport requirements, providing a capacity of 350 litres with the rear-seat backrest in place and up to 1100 litres with the backrest tilted down.

         

    Superior seating comfort

    The steering column adjustable for reach and height as well as the driver's seat also adjustable for reach and height ensure an optimum seating position for drivers of virtually any size. Compared with the former model, height adjustment has been increased by 20, lengthwise adjustment by 5 per cent.

    Upholstered kneepads on the centre console ensure a comfortable leg position.

    The standard front seats in the new Audi A3 come with two separate seat shells around the backrest and beneath the seat squab, each padded for perfect body contour with cold foam materials. As a result, the seats offer both comfortable upholstery as well as the right kind of strength and support for long distances. The weight of the driver is spread out evenly over the seats in order to avoid any local pressure points, and at the same time the seats seal off the occupants perfectly from vibrations and bumps on the road.

    These qualities are also to be felt at the rear, the easy-entry front-seat function featured as standard serving furthermore to facilitate access to the rear seats and optional seat heating at the rear providing the final touch. Clearly, features of this kind confirm the particular standard and superiority of this trendsetter in the premium compact segment.

    The front seats are also available as an option with an electrically adjustable four-way lumbar support for particular comfort around the occupant's back and effective prevention of any painful back distortion.

    Drivetrain

    Offering a wide range of choice but dedicated throughout to sporting performance - this philosophy characterises the broad line-up of engines and transmissions featured by the new Audi A3 right from the start. And no less than three important innovations are entering the market in this process: Audi's engineers have enlarged the capacity of the highly successful four-cylinder TDI to a full two litres, also giving this engine a four-valve cylinder head. The 2.0 FSI and 3.2 V6, in turn, are making their debut in the A3 for the first time.

    A further quality shared by all engines of the A3 right from the start is their full compliance with the EU4 standard, giving owners of these cars in Germany, for example, a tax benefit of up to EUR 613 (diesel models) and EUR 306 (petrol models).

    The wide range of engines is as follows:

  • 3.2-litre V6 developing 184 kW (250 bhp) and 320 Nm /236 lb-ft (from mid-2003)
  • 2.0-litre FSI developing 110 kW (150 bhp) and 200 Nm (147 lb-ft)
  • 1.6-litre developing 75 kW (102 bhp) and 148 Nm (109 lb-ft)
  • 2.0-litre TDI developing 103 kW (140 bhp) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft)
  • 1.9-litre TDI developing 77 kW (105 bhp) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft).

    Depending on the engine, the new A3 comes with a manual five- or six-speed gearbox or with tiptronic. Now incorporating six speeds, this automatic transmission is absolutely unique in the compact segment.

    As an alternative to the manual gearbox, the most powerful spark ignition and TDI versions may also be equipped with the new DSG Direct Shift Gearbox. This innovative power transmission inspired by motorsport technology uses an electrohydraulic double clutch to provide an instantaneous gearshift without interrupting the drive power of the engine and thus offering sporting pleasure of the highest calibre.

    quattro permanent four-wheel drive remains unparalleled in the premium compact class, serving to translate the performance of the most powerful versions of the A3 into supreme driving force on the road. Audi quattro drive therefore provides the foundation for outstanding driving dynamics combined with equally outstanding active driving safety.

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