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

[Deckhook]

It does look very predictable and safe but at least that way you won't alienate previous owners like the reactions the 1 series has got but the new nose and lights are enough to lift the design and make it modern looking. I bet it will be a huge success.

 

[Tumbo]

It does look very predictable and safe but at least that way you won't alienate previous owners like the reactions the 1 series has got but the new nose and lights are enough to lift the design and make it modern looking. I bet it will be a huge success.

Dont understand why we even talk about the new 1er, since its so ugly, I cant look at it even.

When it comes to the new A3, I was really pissed when I saw the spypics some month ago. But now I see that they really naile the side/rear profile. The front could differ a little more from the others, but overall, simplicity is the thing here. It looks really good on the CGI pics, so hopefully it will look even better IRL. Can't wait? And yeah, it will be a seller for sure.

 

[Deckhook]

Can't wait to hear the details of the future S3 and RS3, probably 300hp and 360hp respectively whilst weighing less to begin with. Never imagined myself downsizing the an A3 before but the notion of either an S3 or better still RS3 is something I can really see myself driving soon.

P.S.
Discussion rivals keeps the debate relevant even the ugly ones.

 

[Zafiro]

I'm not a fan of current A3 and the CGI looks more like a facelift rather than a new car. I hope the real life photos are changing my mind.

 

[KIII3R 7]

Autocar UK : All-new Audi A3 images 'revealed'

All-new Audi A3 images 'revealed' - Autocar.co.uk

 

[donkeykong]

[h=2]Headed for a Geneva unveiling[/h]

 

[mini_cooper4]

WOOOOOOW it has the same profile as the current generation Impressive

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Is that sarcasm?

Honestly If all they've done is slap on new lights and grill after 8 looooong years, then that's a disappointment. Even if it is 'nice'.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Is that sarcasm?

Honestly If all they've done is slap on new lights and grill after 8 looooong years, then that's a disappointment. Even if it is 'nice'.

Yes sir it was sarcasm

 

[AudiQuattro]

This is a dissappointment. I should wait until this is revelaed properly but after such a long duration of the current A3 and arguably two facelifts I was expecting a lot more from Audi. From these pics I hope most of the money has gone under the skin and in to the interior becasue I'm not that impressed.

 

[eryk03]

But still it looks ten times better than fugly BMW F20.

 

[Giannis]

I am of the opinion that the politically correct design of the A3 is one of the reasons for its success. No doubt it looks good and it's perfect for those who want a quality vehicle to do their job. Not a polarizing design.

I like it that they stick to that idea!

 

[Deckhook]

This is the new VW Golf – and the new Audi A3 and new Skoda Octavia. In fact, this chassis will pretty much underpin the majority of VW Group models, from Polo-sized superminis to those as big as the next Passat.

Called MQB, the new platform represents much more than a chassis that can be adapted for use in a wide variety of models. VW calls it "the backbone of light and safe cars" as it also encapsulates new lightweight drivetrains, hi-tech safety equipment and even iPad-style infotainment systems.

It moves the game on from simply offering a chassis that can be stretched or shortened to fit different cars, to one that shares its electrical wiring, engines, transmissions, air-conditioning systems, seat backs and infotainment systems. It even includes the factories the cars will be built in – for the first time allowing VW, Audi and Skoda models to be built on the same production line.

But the most important car of the lot is the new Golf. And the Mk7 will represent a huge leap forward. Thanks to hot formed steel that's six-times stronger than conventional steel, more aluminium in the suspension, together with lightweight air-con, it will weigh up to 60kg less than the Mk6. VW says it will weigh as much as the Mk4.

Under the bonnet will be a range of new engines, all of which will have the same angle of tilt – whether petrol or diesel – in the engine bay. This will speed up the production line and allow the same transmissions to be used throughout. In fact, engine and gearbox variants have been reduced by 88 per cent.

The petrol line-up consists of a new 1.2 TSI turbo four-cylinder with 84bhp or 104bhp, and a 1.4 TSI with 120bhp or 138bhp. The latter has already appeared in the Audi A1 Sportback, and features cylinder deactivation, so it can run on two cylinders under a light throttle, saving fuel. Thanks to lightweight aluminium, the engine weighs 16kg less than the 1.4 TSi in the current Golf.

The new Golf will also be available as a hybrid, with the 1.4 TSI boosted by a 20kW electric motor. It produces 145bhp and 250Nm of torque. This will also be available as a plug-in hybrid, this time with an 80kW electric motor. This can return up to 141mpg and emit less than 46g/km of CO2.

As for diesels, there will be a new line-up of 1.6 and 2.0-litre TDI diesels with power ranging from 89bhp to 187bhp. There is no word on a BlueMotion variant, but VW says even the basic engines reduce CO2 emissions by 7g/km, so expect a new Golf BlueMotion to emit less than 90g/km of CO2 and achieve more than 80mpg. There will also be a low-capacity 800cc diesel appearing in the future. Seven-speed DSG automatic and six-speed manual gearboxes will feature, too.

The new Golf will also be far safer. Thanks to a camera mounted above the rear-view mirror, it will have road sign recognition, lane keep assistance, light assist – which automatically dims the lights to prevent dazzling oncoming traffic – and adaptive cruise control. It will also have a Mercedes-style fatigue assist system, which warns the driver if he or she is about to fall asleep at the wheel.

Other Mercedes-style safety equipment includes pre-crash – which shuts the windows and pre-tensions the seatbelts if it senses a crash is imminent – as well as a system that can help avoid multiple crashes. In other words, it will automatically apply the brakes after the first collision if the car senses it is at risk of a secondary collision – a typical motorway crash situation. This is in addition to low-speed crash mitigation for use in towns.

VW will also launch its next-generation automatic parking system, which not only steers the car into a parellel parking space, but reverses it into a multi-storey car parking space, too.

To aid handling, the Golf will get a development of a new electronically-controlled differential which was significantly tested in a VW Scirocco race car at the Nurburgring 24 Hours. In addition to traction control and the XDS electronic differential, it offers torque vectoring, and is said to help turn-in and allow the Golf to hold on to its line better when cornering. There is also a new electric steering system.

Inside, the MK7 Golf will get a new touchscreen interface on the centre console which works in a similar way to an iPad, allowing the driver to use a ‘sweep’ gesture to access different information. It will be available with five and eight-inch screens.

The MQB platform will also allow the next Golf to be better looking: “Because of the position of the engine, MQB means shorter front overhangs, which in turn allows us to lengthen the look of the car and make it more sporty with a lower centre of gravity,” said head of exterior design Andreas Mindt. Better packaging will allow larger wheels and a longer wheelbase. Mindt also said that the Cross Coupe concept’s wider ‘face’, with its radiator grille integrated with the headlights and daytime running lights, would be a big feature of upcoming models.

The first VW Group model to get MQB will be the new Audi A3, which debuts in the summer – we’ll then see it in the new Mk7 Golf, which is set to arrive at the Paris Motor Show in September, before going on sale in 2013

I think you will see that quite a bit of money has went into under the skin.

 

[AudiQuattro]

A lot of money in deed. Not only that a bigger prospect for profit margins with each unit sold using the MQB platform

 

[Levi68]

Production costs are reduced and thus permit larger profits, but plus to that prices grow higher though worse materials that decrease lifespan are used.

 

[MarcinM]

Maybe with modern cars having perfected the art of aerodynamics will now on, from the visual perspective, evolve as slowly, as for instance passenger aircraft. After all Boeing 737 is now more than 40 year old and still looks fresh.

Actually I prefer Audi's route rather than BMW's, which seems to be running circles and changing their design language every decade or so for seemingly no good reason at all (In the process such monstrosities such as new 1 series are created).

Audi's design language for the last 20 years or so have not changed much.

 

[Centurion]

Audi's design language for the last 20 years or so have not changed much.

Indeed it hasn't changed. It has evolved and now reached the level of maturity. You can't look at any of Audi's current cars and say that they are designed by an aspiring company or one that doesn't know what they are doing. The A6 which used to be the weakest link is not a very self assured design. At first sight it doesn't strike a nerve but after a few times of exposure you come to realise how wholesome it is.

 

[Deckhook]

I think Audi have reached a level of maturity with its designs that Porsche have done for years. Both brands are instantly recognisable from side and rear profiles as much as they are from the front. We call it boring designs but their continued success year on year shows they must be doing something right.

 

[Gianclaudio]

20 years? Do you realize the inmense leap Audi made with the "single frame grill" introduced with the A6 in 2004? Cars before them used to look like Merc wannabes. (excluding the TT ,where Audi started their current sex appeal)
To me, is nothing short of amazing what Audi has done in very little time.

So far, I like this new A3 a lot, IMO looks way better than both 1er and new A-class (what I've see yet) My only concern is fact it looks very close (in details) to the A6, making that car to look a bit less special.

Regars!

 

[donkeykong]