2021 Audi A3 Sedan Breaks Cover As The More Elegant A3 Family Member

Audi has lifted the digital veils of the all-new A3 Sedan, now in its second generation.

We have already seen photos of China’s long-wheelbase version of the compact four-door model earlier this month, but now it’s time for the first official images and information. As expected, the new A3 Sedan is based on the latest A3 Sportback, adopting its fresh design, modern technology as well as new drives and chassis.

Underpinned by the updated MQB Evo platform, the new Audi A3 Sedan is 40-mm (1.6-in) longer than its predecessor, measuring 4,500 mm (14.8 ft) in total. The wheelbase remains unchanged, while the width has increased by 20 mm (0.8 in) to 1,820 mm (6.0 ft) and the height has increased by 10 mm (0.4 in) at 1,430 mm (4.7 ft).

Read Also: This Is The All-New 2021 Audi A3 Sedan In Long-Wheelbase Form

As a result of these changes and the lower position of the driver seat, the compact sedan is said to offer 20 mm (0.8 in) more headroom in the front and some more elbow room. The luggage capacity remains unchanged at 425 liters (15 cu ft), though.

There’s not much to comment when it comes to the styling, as the only change compared to the A3 Sportback is the sedan-style rear end – even the taillights are identical. The sedan is 150 mm (5.9 in) longer than the hatchback, which contributes to a more elegant profile and enhanced aerodynamics.

Thanks in part to a higher rear end than its predecessor, a large diffuser and active grille shutters, the 2021 Audi A3 Sedan achieves a Cd value of 0.25 – an improvement of 0.04 over the previous generation. For some customers, especially those in China and the United States, this will be the more desirable (or only) A3 body style to get.

Inside, the dashboard is identical to the A3 Sportback, featuring the same 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and central 10.1-inch MMI touch display inclined slightly towards the driver. The connectivity is improved significantly compared to the previous A3 Sedan, especially with the optional MMI Navigation plus system. As for available driver assist systems, they include Audi pre sense front, adaptive cruise assist, efficiency assist, exit warning, and cross-traffic assist, among other features.

At launch, the 2021 Audi A3 Sedan will offer one TFSI engine and one TDI engine. The entry-level unit is the 35 TFSI which is Audi code for a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine rated at 150 PS (148 HP). The engine is available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission.

When equipped with the DCT, the petrol unit also gets a 48-volt mild hybrid system as standard. The other choice is a 150 PS (148 HP) 2.0-liter TDI turbo diesel offered exclusively with a seven-speed S tronic.

Audi will start pre-sales of the new A3 Sedan at the end of April in Germany and other European markets, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the summer. Prices start at €29,800 ($32,250) for the 35 TFSI, though a lower-powered petrol model will become available later on from €27,700 ($29,980).

No official details have been released about the U.S.-spec 2021 Audi A3 Sedan but reports claim it will debut in late 2020 with a standard 2.0-liter TFSI turbo-four gasoline engine delivering around 240 HP. Later on, the S3 Sedan will arrive with more than 300 HP.