We already knew that Audi has plans to build the first ever sedan version of its A3 series and that it would come to North America. What we weren’t sure about was the timing.
In a posting on its Facebook page today, the German automaker revealed that the A3 Sedan “is confirmed for U.S. release late this year”.
What this means is that we will likely see the four-door version of the new A3 making its debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September, and/or at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show in November, with sales to start around December.
The A3 Sedan will be based on a stretched version of the latest A3 hatchback’s new MQB modular platform architecture, with the two models also sharing the same interior design and engine lineup.
Audi has previewed the looks of the A3 sedan twice in the past year; the first time at the 2011 Geneva Salon with the sporty looking and very near production A3 Concept sporting a 402bhp (408PS) 2.5-liter turbo’d inline-five, and the second time with the A3 e-Tron gasoline-electric hybrid study at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show.
The production model will adopt the more toned down face of the hatchback, along with a series of more conventional and practical details like the exterior door handles and mirrors.
We still don’t know which engines will be offered in the States and Canada, but a 2.0-liter TFSI petrol and a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter TDI should make it on the launch model, with more options, possibly including a hybrid, to arrive down the line.
On its Facebook posting, Audi also asked whether it should bring the A3 hatchback (evidently, the new 3-door and/or the future 5-door Sportback models) and the next generation of the A3 Convertible in the States as well.
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AUDI A3 SEDAN E-TRON STUDY 
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