Audi’s Chairman of the Board Rupert Stadler formally unveiled the new three-door A3 on the opening day of the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Of course, we already know everything there is to know about the third generation of the A3 thanks to Audi revealing full details of its brand-new premium C-segment model yesterday.
To refresh your memory, the new A3 is the first model to be based on the modular (and cost-saving) MQB platform. It sports the same length and height as the car it replaces, but is 12mm wider and has a 23mm longer wheelbase.
The design is an evolution of the outgoing A3’s shape with some new styling cues, like the front and rear lights and the hexagonal single-frame grille.
The interior is designed from scratch sporting a new dashboard, round air vents, a center console angled towards the driver, new instruments and a vast list of safety and infotainment equipment.
At launch, the engine range comprises three units: the gasoline 120HP 1.4-liter TFSI and a 178HP 1.8-liter TFSI and the extra-frugal (4.1 lt/100 km, 57.37 US mpg) 2.0 TDI diesel. The latter and the 1.4 TFSI will be available with a six-speed manual transmission while the 1.8 TFSI with a seven-speed dual-clutch.
All of them transmit their power to the front wheels, though Audi announced that four-wheel drive and more engines would be added to the range down the line.
You can watch four videos of the new three-door A3 right after the break.
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