The first-ever Audi A3 Sedan has arrived in Australia. With a sharp pricing of just $39,800 excluding on roads, the new entry level sedan is set to offer enormous growth opportunities for Audi in the compact premium segment.
“The all-new A3 Sedan is very impressive. It looks powerful on the road, yet sips fuel frugally. It offers luxury appointments inside and out, yet it has the sharpest pricing in its segment. Judging by early interest in this new model, we are very confident of its success,” said Mr Doyle.
“We are thrilled with the price positioning of our A3 model range in general. It’s a highly competitive segment of the market and with a sales increase of 93 percent (compared with 2012) the new A3 Sportback has been very well-accepted since its May 2013 launch. We are now looking forward to even more customer interest with the arrival of this all new body style to the range,” he added.
At launch Audi is offering three engines for the A3 Sedan, including the 1.4 TFSI Attraction model with advanced Cylinder-on-Demand technology. In the Ambition model specification, the 2.0 TDI will be offered, while the 1.8 TFSI will be offered both as a front-wheel drive and quattro model. The efficient and sporty S tronic dual-clutch transmission is fitted as standard to all models.
Despite sharing its underpinnings with the Sportback, the A3 Sedan has completely different body panels. Like the Sportback though, the sedan maintains the same attention to weight reduction with a kerb weight of just 1,250 kg for the 1.4 TFSI S tronic.
Many of the components in the occupant cell are made of high-end hot-formed steel and the bonnet is aluminium. The low weight of the chassis and engines also sets new standards in its class.
The all-new A3 Sedan has a 5 star ANCAP rating. This is accompanied by a generous list of standard safety equipment including seven airbags, Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC), along with new features like Emergency City Braking which is part of the Assistance Package (below). This technology automatically brakes the car to a full stop (if travelling below 30km/h) if it detects an obstacle ahead, like another car stopping suddenly.
Attraction trim level (1.4 TFSI)
- 17-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
Price (excluding on-roads)
Attraction specification level
A3 sedan 1.4 TFSI COD S tronic 103kW 250Nm $39,800
Ambition specification level
A3 sedan 1.8 TFSI S tronic 132kW 250Nm $44,800
A3 sedan 2.0 TDI S tronic 110kW 320Nm $44,800
A3 sedan 1.8 TFSI quattro S tronic 132kW 280Nm $47,800
Option packages
Style package – $2,000
- Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights
- Choice of 18-inch alloy wheel in 10-spoke design, 5-arm structured design, 5-arm rotor design or 10-spoke design in titanium look.
- Sports suspension with a lowered ride height of 15mm
Technik package – $2,990
- MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, including 7.0-inch colour display monitor
- Audi parking assist with rear view camera
- Audi sound system
Comfort package– $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 – $1,800
- Adaptive cruise control including pre-sense front
- Lane departure warning
- High beam assist
S line sports package – $4,200
- S line exterior package
- S line sports package
- 18-inch alloy wheels (optional 19-inch alloy wheels)
- Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights