Audi has released photos and information on the A3 Sedan and its high-performance version, the 300hp S3 Sedan, both of which will go on sale in North America in 2014 (as 2015 models).
Based on the latest A3 architecture, the compact sedan is 4.46-meters (14.63 ft) long and has a 2.64-meter (8.66 ft) wheelbase. The car is 1.80-meters (5.91 ft) wide or 11mm (0.43 in) wider than the A3 Sportback, while its height (1.42 meters/4.66 ft) is 9mm (0.35 in) lower than that of the five-door model. Trunk capacity is 425 liters (15 cubic feet).
The design is typical Audi, with the signature headlights identical to those on the A3 and A3 Sportback, and a profile that the carmaker describes as “a cross between a classic three-box concept and the coupé philosophy.”
At launch in Europe, the A3 Sedan will be available with three four-cylinder engines – the 1.4 TFSI and 1.8 TFSI gasoline units and the 2.0 TDI diesel. The 1.4 TFSI develops 138hp (140PS) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) and is fitted with the COD (cylinder on demand) system that deactivates two cylinders. Combined fuel consumption is 4.7 liters/100 km (50.05 US mpg), with CO2 emissions being 109 g/km. 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 8.4 seconds, and top speed is 217 km/h (134.84 mph).
The 1.8 TFSI delivers 177hp (180PS) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) and offers the A3 Sedan an average fuel economy of 5.6 liters/100 km (42 US mpg), equivalent to 129 g CO2/km. 0 to 100 km/h takes 7.3 seconds, with top speed being 235 km/h (146 mph).
Finally, the 2.0 TDI produces 148hp (150PS) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque. It is the most economical engine in the A3 Sedan range, with only 4.1 liters/100 km (57.37 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of 107 g/km. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) takes 8.7 seconds, while top speed is 220 km/h (136.7 mph). Depending on the engine, either a manual six-speed gearbox or the dual-clutch S tronic is used.
The interior of the A3 Sedan (the same from the A3 Sportback) is available with an array of options and materials. There’s the new modular infotainment system (MIB), consisting of MMI Navigation plus, a 64 GB hard drive, DVD drive, whole-word voice control and a high-resolution 7-inch-screen.
The A3 Sedan will be available in Europe late this summer, for a base price of around €25,000 ($32,150) for the 1.4 TFSI model.
North American sales will begin in the first quarter of 2014, with the regular A3 to be offered with three engine choices, including two gasoline units, the 1.8-liter TFSI and 2.0-liter TFSI, and the 2.0-liter TDI clean diesel.
Audi S3 Sedan: 300 horsepower, 0-62 mph in 4.9 seconds
Just like the S3 and S3 Sportback, the high-performance all-wheel-drive S3 Sedan is powered by the 2.0-liter TFSI engine developing 296hp (300PS) and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 4.9 seconds with the S tronic and 5.3 seconds with the manual gearbox. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Combined fuel consumption is 6.9 liters/100 km (34.10 US mpg) with the S tronic or 7 liters (33.6 US mpg) with the manual.
The S3 Sedan will be offered in North America from mid-2014.
By Dan Mihalascu
2015 AUDI A3 SEDAN
2015 AUDI S3 SEDAN 
