Audi A3 Sportback priced from $35,600

The new third-generation Audi A3 Sportback has landed in Australia, starting at $35,600, plus on road costs. Audi’s new small car is lighter and more advanced, but also more affordable, costing $5,600 less compared to the previous model.

“We are immensely proud of the extraordinary new Audi A3 Sportback. It demonstrates the very best of what Audi is capable of,” said Andrew Doyle, Audi Australia’s Managing Director.

“The new A3 Sportback offers the luxury, features and quality of a much larger car in a concentrated package. We created the premium compact segment in 1996 with the very first A3, and since then, almost 18,000 Australian customers have chosen to own one. With the all-new Audi A3, we will lead the segment once again.”

“The all-new A3 range will be a key sales driver for Audi as we head toward our goal of becoming the number one premium brand in Australia. But the Sportback is just the starting point: over the next few years we will see the much-anticipated A3 sedan, the S3 models, the all-new A3 Cabriolet and of course our first plug-in hybrid, the A3 e-tron.”

Consisting of four models, the $35,600 entry price buys the 1.4 TFSI turbocharged petrol in Attraction trim that generates 90kW of power and 200Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0-100km/h in 9.3 seconds and sips just 5.0L/100km of fuel.

Priced from $42,500, the top petrol engine in the range is the 1.8 TFSI Ambition which produces 132kW and 250Nm. Maximum torque is available from just 1,250rpm and remains constant up to 5,000rpm. It shaves 2 seconds off the 0-100km/h sprint, requiring only 7.3 seconds while returning 5.6L/100km.

On the diesel engine side, the $36,500 1.6 TDI Attraction brings 77kW of power and 250Nm of torque @ 1,500-2,750rpm. It takes a leisurely 10.7 seconds to reach 100km/h from a standstill and consumes 3.9L/100km of diesel.

The A3 Sportback range rounds out with the 2.0 TDI Ambition priced similarly to its petrol counterpart. It generates 110kW of power and 320Nm @ 1,750-3,000rpm, propelling the hatchback from 0-100km/h in 8.4 seconds. It returns 4.5L/100km of diesel.

All four models are paired with Audi’s S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

Audi has also reversed the weight spiral with the new A3 Sportback, reducing weight by as much as 90kg compared with the previous model, thanks to high-tensile steel construction as well as bonnet and front guards made of aluminium. The complete occupant cell is 37kg lighter overall than the previous model.

The new Audi A3 Sportback has been awarded a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, and the entry-level 1.4 TFSI model has also been awarded a five-star rating in the Australian Government’s Green Vehicle Guide ratings.

Audi is targeting young singles as well as couples for the latest A3.

Audi A3 Sportback equipment highlights:

Attraction trim level (1.4 TFSI and 1.6 TDI):

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Audi parking system: rear
• Leather-appointed upholstery
• Dual-zone automatic climate control with digital display and rear-seat vents
• Audi Music Interface
• Bluetooth interface with audio streaming
• MMI radio system – electrically retractable, slimline 5.8-inch colour display monitor with 8 passive speakers
• Cruise control
• Driver information system
• Dynamic suspension
• Exterior electric mirrors
• Light and rain sensor
• Multi-function leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel with paddle-shift

Ambition trim level (1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TDI):
Additional standard equipment on top of Attraction trim level:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Front leather-appointed sports seats with height, depth and seat rake adjustment
• High-gloss package; aluminium window surrounds
• Aluminium-look interior styling with aluminium sill trims
• Front fog lights
• Full colour driver information system
• Audi Drive Select
• Multi-function leather-wrapped three-spoke sports steering wheel with paddle-shift

Options:

Style package (Attraction models only) – $2,000

• Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights
• 17” alloy wheels, 5-arm ‘kinetic’ design

Style package (Ambition models only) – $2,000

• Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights
• 18” alloy wheels, 5-arm ‘dynamic’ design
• Sports suspension with a lowered ride height of 15mm

Technik package (Attraction and Ambition models) – $2,990

• MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, including 7.0-inch colour display monitor
• Audi parking assist with rear view camera

Comfort package (Attraction and Ambition models) – $2,200

• Electrically adjustable front seats with electric lumbar support
• Heated front seats
• Convenience key
• Auto dimming interior mirror
• Exterior mirrors electric fold, heated with kerb view

Assistance package (Attraction and Ambition models only) – $1,800

• Adaptive cruise control including pre-sense basic
• Lane departure warning
• High beam assist

S line sports package (Ambition models only) – $4,200

• S line exterior package
• S line sports package
• 18-inch aluminium wheels
• Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights