A3/S3/RS3 Next-generation (Mk.III) Audi A3 (Spy pics & info)

[Levi68]

By the way, any possiblity to see it released in March 2012 at Geneva? It could be very effective for Audi to take away some attraction from the new BMW 3 Series (F30) that will be shown there.

 

[donkeykong]

 

[donkeykong]

By the way, any possiblity to see it released in March 2012 at Geneva? It could be very effective for Audi to take away some attraction from the new BMW 3 Series (F30) that will be shown there.

Maybe later in the year,just a guess though.

 

[EnI]

The surfacing looks more like A4-ish, and not so much as the one seen on A3 Concept. The shoulder line is less pronounced (less 3D) on the prototype, and the lower character line seems to be different as well: opening towards front, not towards the rear like on the Concept. The rear light graphics also seem to be more conventional & less conceptish, and the shape is different as well obviously.

The silhouette looks evolutionary yet sharper, sportier, much more aggressive. The greenhouse looks quite POLO-ish (3dr Polo) on these LQ spy-pics though - but I guess it due to the LQ & weird angle. The rear looks A1-ish - when it comes to steep glass, and hatch door basic lines. It's shaping up to be a typical Audi.

 

[Shining Star]

 

[EnI]

It looks like A1 XXL.

Sharp yet conservative lines. Evolutionary. Predictable.
But the current A3 is VERY successful seller - so, no need changing the winning horse.

Personally I was hoping for a bit more design exercise on Mk3 A3 3dr - since A3 Sportback is expected to be even more conventional.

 

[donkeykong]

Some overhang,but I'm glad to see it's not another hatchet job like BM with their 1 series.

 

[Deckhook]

Too tricky to tell whether it's better looking than before, though it's easy to tell it's got the new look lights. The only certainty is that it will look better than the 1er.

Is this on a new platform or is it just a face lift because it's outline looks just like the old one.

 

[braaf]

Some overhang,but I'm glad to see it's not another hatchet job like BM with their 1 series.

Its a large A1, what's exciting about that. 1 series looks better than this and the camo is still on. Not a good start.

 

[martinbo]

1 Series doesn't look better than anything boet. That car has a face only a parent holding company could love.

 

[Human]

1 Series doesn't look better than anything boet. That car has a face only a parent holding company could love.

And in the end the 1er will be the better drive

 

[donkeykong]

Its a large A1, what's exciting about that. 1 series looks better than this and the camo is still on. Not a good start.

You're in the minority in thinking that. There is nothing thrilling about the 1 series, it's straight up ugly. Audi can do nothing to make it look as bad. Aguing that a car looks better than another car with camo on,is not much of an argument.

 

[braaf]

You're in the minority in thinking that. There is nothing thrilling about the 1 series, it's straight up ugly. Audi can do nothing to make it look as bad. Aguing that a car looks better than another car with camo on,is not much of an argument.

Very true, i probly am part of a minority who actually enjoy the look of the 1er. I'll tell you why. Cos it doesn't look like a Golf, A3, Astra, Megane and the host of other drab and dreary cars in this segment. Hell the only other car in this segment to offer visual stimulation is the Guilietta. This segment needs livening up and this new A3 aint gonna do it, so no matter how much you wanna preach about me judging this car with camo on it doesn't matter cos we all know what it's gonna look like. It'll probly have nice wheels though.

 

[donkeykong]

Very true, i probly am part of a minority who actually enjoy the look of the 1er. I'll tell you why. Cos it doesn't look like a Golf, A3, Astra, Megane and the host of other drab and dreary cars in this segment. Hell the only other car in this segment to offer visual stimulation is the Guilietta. This segment needs livening up and this new A3 aint gonna do it, so no matter how much you wanna preach about me judging this car with camo on it doesn't matter cos we all know what it's gonna look like. It'll probly have nice wheels though.

Maybe not the Golf or any of the others you mentioned,but the back is a complete rip off of the Polo. The A3 may turn out to be as predictable as you think it will,but still end up being more visually attractive than the 1 series in any guise. In terms of design the 1er is neither stimulating,innovative,or provocative it's just ugly,and will remain so for seven long years.

 

[Zafiro]

Current A3 never impressed me and if the new A3 is going to look similar as current A3 then Im afraid I wont like it this time either. Next Golf seem to be the winner which is good since they dont cost as much.

 

[martinbo]

What are the numbers of current generation A3 sales vs E87 over the last 3 years? Point is, for many, many people the A3 is just the right combo of affordability and prestige and on the whole the product is so much better than people on this forum give it credit for.

 

[Zafiro]

What are the numbers of current generation A3 sales vs E87 over the last 3 years? Point is, for many, many people the A3 is just the right combo of affordability and prestige and on the whole the product is so much better than people on this forum give it credit for.

Design and how the car was to drive was important to me when I bought a babybimmer. I drove various of A3's but the car didnt satisfy me. A Golf did the job just as good as the A3. The new 1er seem to be a good drive but I'm not sold on the design. Pictures I've seen so far of the new Golf does look promising.

 

[Deckhook]

What are the numbers of current generation A3 sales vs E87 over the last 3 years? Point is, for many, many people the A3 is just the right combo of affordability and prestige and on the whole the product is so much better than people on this forum give it credit for.

Are you saying people vote with their wallets as to what makes a good car great?

I don't know the figures for either but I guess by you remarks you believe the A3 is the better seller, is it possible that people in this category place things other than driving dynamics as priority, though even here I feel you actually rate the A3 quite high at this too.

@Just_me, you seem to rate the Golf GTI quite high as do I but I don't see that great a difference between it and the A3S/Line2.0T, what do you see different?

 

[martinbo]

Are you saying people vote with their wallets as to what makes a good car great?

To an extent, yes. What I am saying is that the A3 has been a terrific success for Audi and therefore the end justifies the means. The Audi A3's driving dynamics may not be the most electrifying but they're solid all the same. I am certain that it also has the most premium feel in its class and such an attribute is far easier for the majority of consumers to identify with compared to the obscure concept of "driving dynamics".

The A3 has the best range of small capacity petrol engines in the segment too; its 1.4T, 1.8T and 2.0T engines coupled with DSG transmission options make for a formidable technical package too.

So unless someone turns around and expresses specific disappointment with the rear end of the A3 lacking mobility on a trailing throttle under severe cornering (or something else equally geeky) then all the other ticked boxes in the A3's repertoire add up to make for a class leading product.

 

[braaf]

To an extent, yes. What I am saying is that the A3 has been a terrific success for Audi and therefore the end justifies the means. The Audi A3's driving dynamics may not be the most electrifying but they're solid all the same. I am certain that it also has the most premium feel in its class and such an attribute is far easier for the majority of consumers to identify with compared to the obscure concept of "driving dynamics".

The A3 has the best range of small capacity petrol engines in the segment too; its 1.4T, 1.8T and 2.0T engines coupled with DSG transmission options make for a formidable technical package too.

So unless someone turns around and expresses specific disappointment with the rear end of the A3 lacking mobility on a trailing throttle under severe cornering (or something else equally geeky) then all the other ticked boxes in the A3's repertoire add up to make for a class leading product.

I agree with you 100% Martin, however, and it all boils down to personal opinion, the A3 is just a glorified golf with a better interior. That alone is a no no for me. I might as well save the xtra bucks and get a golf. I can't see Audi justifying a better interior as a reason for me to buy their product cos all those technical details you mentioned I can get in a Golf too at a lower cost.

Therefore the BMW makes much more sense to me. The 1er now comes with small capacity turbo engines too and the new gen autos are IMO just as good as DSG. It might be ugly to some, but it's definitely not boring. if there is a negative to the 1er then it's the pricing which is stupediously expensive.