Audi has updated its A3 range with a facelift, a semi-autonomous assist and a brand-new 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine.
The updated range for the A3 - available in three-door hatchback, five-door Sportback, four-door saloon and two-door cabriolet guises - will be available to order in the UK this May, with first deliveries following during the summer.
Exterior and interior updates
The changes to the A3’s styling are mild overall but do include new headlights with integrated Matrix LEDs or Xenons. The Singleframe front grille is also new, as is the front bumper and the taillights.
Changes for the A3’s interior include the optional virtual cockpit technology already available with the latest A4. This consists of a 12.3-inch screen that lets drivers choose between two different digital layouts via a button on the multifunction steering wheel.
The layouts are called ‘classic’ and ‘infotainment’. In classic mode, the instruments appear as big as the usual analogue displays. In infotainment mode, a central window predominates, providing more space to the navigation map or for display lists for the telephone, radio and audio.
New engines and driving aids
Joining the facelifted A3’s range are two new petrol engines, one is the 1.0-litre three-cylinder TFSI turbo unit which produces 113bhp. This represents the new entry-level engine for the A3 range. Also freshly introduced is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TFSI with 187bhp.
The S3’s 2.0-litre petrol engine has also been updated to deliver an extra 10bhp, meaning it now boats 306bhp in total. When using the optional and newly developed S tronic seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox, the S3’s torque is also increased by 20Nm to 400Nm in total.
The new and improved S tronic ‘box can be used for other A3 specs that have a 2.0-litre TFSI engine, whereas other specifications use a six-speed manual transmission.
New driving safety features for the A3 include the semi-autonomous traffic jam assist, available for models with the S tronic gearbox and optional adaptive cruise control.
With this assist onboard, the A3 can maintain a safe distance to the car in front during stop-start traffic, automatically moving the car forward and stopping it when warranted. At speeds of up to 40mph, the traffic jam assist can even automatically steer the car to keep it in its current lane for short distances.
