The Audi A3 will continue to add high-design flavour to the premium small-car class with the announcement of pricing for the all-new fourth-generation model set to arrive here in early 2022.
The range starts at $46,300 (before on-road costs) for the A3 35 TFSI hatchback and tops out at $55,400 (before on-road costs) for the more powerful 40 TFSI quattro S-line sedan, positioned beneath the already-announced S3 quattro that kicks off at $69,900 (before on-road costs).
Biggest changes to the fourth-generation model range are an evolutionary “contemporary design” exterior with muscular new wheel arch bulges and Audi A1-inspired detailing.
Both the A3 Sedan and Sportback have been completely updated for 2022.
Larger front air intakes, bolder LED headlights and a sportier overall design makes the fourth-generation A3 look even more like its ballsier S3 sibling than ever before.
The new-gen A3 is slightly larger than the old circa-2013 model, having grown just over 30mm in height to provide greater headroom for all passengers.
Interior
A totally new interior transforms the A3’s look inside, with a tiny gear shifter (as per the Golf 8) and a pair of high-mounted rectangular air vents for the driver’s ‘cockpit’ – a stark contrast to the minimalist design of the previous model with its exquisite push-pull circular air vents.
The Audi Virtual cockpit is now standard across the entire range, along with a large 10.1-inch centre touchscreen angled towards the driver. The display itself now has 10 times the computing power of the outgoing model.
A driver focused central screen and new gear lever are two of the new interior additions.
Audi connect plus is available for the first time, which adds conveniences such as online traffic, weather conditions, fuel prices, parking information and google satellite navigation.
The system works in conjunction with the myAudi smartphone app that offers features such as remote lock/unlock, service request and emergency call.
A new gear shifter debuts shift-by-wire technology for the first time in the premium compact segment.
Engines
Two direct-injection, turbocharged engines will initially be available for the 2022 model range.
The 35 TFSI engine is a 1.5-litre ‘cylinder-on-demand’ turbocharged four-cylinder that features a mild-hybrid system.
The A3 Sportback is looking more like an S3 than ever.
Audi says the new 1.5-litre unit is more efficient than the outgoing 1.4-litre engine, even though it has a larger displacement, with a 48-volt electrical system and compact lithium-ion battery helping to improve economy.
Outputs for the 35 TFSI are 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque. Fuel economy is rated at 5.0L/100km for the Sportback and 4.9L/100km for the more aerodynamic Sedan (with a drag coefficient of 0.25).
The larger 40 TFSI engine is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit that produces 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque. Fuel economy isn’t quite so slick, with the Sportback using 6.7L/100km on the official combined cycle, and the Sedan 6.6L/100km.
Specification
The exterior highlights of the 35 TFSI include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with dynamic indicators, heated exterior mirrors and an electric boot lid (on the sedan only). Interior highlights include leather trim, three-spoke leather wheel, dual-zone climate control, 10.1-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch virtual cockpit, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless phone charging.
Safety features include AEB, blind-spot collision assist, lane-keep assist, cruise control with speed limiter, park assist, and tyre-pressure monitoring.
Audi has made the Virtual Cockpit display standard fitment on all models.
The 40 TFSI builds on the 35 TFSI with Audi Sport 18-inch alloy wheels, dynamic S-line exterior package, sports seats and an ambient lighting package.
Two extra equipment packages are available – one for each trim level.
The Comfort Package is available on the 35 TFSI and the Premium Package is available on the 40 TFSI.
The Comfort package includes four-way electric lumbar support, adaptive cruise control, adaptive driver assist, electric and heated front seats, auto dimming interior mirror and heated electric exterior mirrors.
The Premium Package includes aluminum look interior elements, Audi sound system, head up display, ambient colour lighting package and electric seats with memory for the driver.
Audi A3 2022: prices in Australia
All prices listed are before on-road costs.
- A3 Sportback 35 TFSI: $46,300
- A3 Sportback 40 TFSI quattro s: $52,900
- A3 Sedan 35 TFSI: $48,800
- A3 Sedan 40 TFSI quattro s line: $55,400