Details of the newAudiA3 Sportbackhas been released. The new compact five-door A3 Sportback offers a spacious luggage compartment and weighs up to 90kg less than the outgoing model due its ultra lightweight construction technology. The new Audi A3 Sportback features a wide range of powerful and efficient engine options and its infotainment and driver assistance systems set new standards in the premium compact segment.

New Audi A3 Sportback on the road to success

?Engine Capability

The new Audi A3 Sportback comes with a choice of one TDI and two TFSI engines. Two diesel engines and one petrol engine will follow at a later stage. The engines feature direct injection, turbocharging, thermal management and a start/stop system. In addition, average fuel consumption has been reduced by 10% compared to the previous model.

The 1.6-litre TDI is the most efficient engine in the line-up consuming only 3.8-litres/100km in manual guise and exhibits a CO2 emissions rating of 99g/km. With this engine, 0-100km/h is achieved in 10.9 seconds with a top speed of 194km/h.

Available in two versions, the newly developed 2.0-litre TDI produces 110kW and 320Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is rated at 4.6-litres/100km with a corresponding CO2 emissions figure of 120g/km. 0-100km/h is achieved in 8.4 seconds with a top speed of 213km/h. The more powerful version of this engine develops 135kW and 380Nm. Fuel consumption is rated at 4.3-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 111g/km. 0-100km/h is completed in 7.4 seconds with a top speed of 232km/h.

The 1.2-litre TFSI which will be available later produces 77kW and 175Nm of torque. The new 1.4-litre TFSI produces 90kW and 200Nm of torque while accelerating to 100km/h in 9.3 seconds and reaching a top speed of 203km/h. Fuel consumption for this engine is rated at 5.3-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 123g/km. A second 103kW/250Nm version of this engine will become available at a later stage.

The most powerful engine in the line-up is the 1.8-litre TFSI petrol engine that produces 132kW and 250Nm of torque. With S tronic and front-wheel drive, this engine achieves 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds with a top speed of 232km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 5.6-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 130g/km.

Audi will expand its engine offering for the A3 Sportback with the S model and a TCNG engine that operates on Audi e-gas. The new Audi A3 Sportback e-tron with a plug-in hybrid drive is expected in 2014.

All Audi A3 Sportback models are paired with a 6-speed manual transmission and S tronic is available as an option.

Exterior Styling

The new Audi A3 Sportback is slightly longer, wider and taller than the outgoing model. The new A3 Sportback features a distinctive stone gray single-frame grille with angled upper corners and the lower edges of the flat headlights taper off at an angle. Xenon plus headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are available as an option and LED headlights will be available later. The front-end also features large air intakes.

The side profile features a tornado line that gives the A3 Sportback a powerful appearance. The rear-end features split rear lights that emphasise the car’s width and LED light conductors appear to form a continuous arch. An adaptive brake light is fitted as standard. Depending on the engine, the exhaust sytem terminates in one or two tailpipes on the left hand side of the car. The new Audi A3 Sportback is available in 13 colours with three solid finishes, eight metallic finishes and two pearl-effect finishes.

Interior Styling

The new Audi A3 Sportback interior is clean, elegant and luxurious, featuring the MMI operating system with a power retractable monitor which is available with the MMI radio. The steering wheel has either three or four spokes, depending on the model, and has a flat-bottom rim, multifunction buttons and shift paddles. With its increase in size, the new A3 Sportback offers more leg and head room than the outgoing model. Upholstery material options include cloth, synthetic leather, Milano leather, Pearl Nappa leather and Alcantara. ??A highlight of the new Audi A3 Sportback is its spacious luggage compartment that offers 380-litres of space in its basic configuration. With the 60/40 rear seats folded down, capacity increases to 1220-litres. ??The new Audi A3 Sportback can be expected in South Africa in 2013.