Rendered Speculation: 2011 Audi A3 grows, sedan version planned for U.S.
Audi is reportedly planning to release a new version of the A3 early in 2011, and, for the first time ever, the German automaker's entry-level model is slated to get a four-door sedan variant tailored specifically for the U.S. market. While we're big fans of the current A3's mini-wagon hatchback shape, our fellow American buyers have consistently shown a propensity to choose a trunk over an arguably more useful rear hatch when given the choice.According to Autocar, the 2011 A3 will use a version of parent-company Volkswagen's next-gen Golf architecture. Not surprisingly, then, the A3 is likely to be similar in size to the VW Jetta – itself a sedan variant of the popular hatchback. Suspension bits will consist of struts up front and a multilink arrangement out back.
Expect the next A3 to wear sheet metal with "clear links to the existing A3." Unlike the staid profile of the current Jetta, the A3 sedan is poised to get the currently en-vogue "four-door coupe" roofline. In Europe, the next A3 will sport a range of four-cylinder gas and diesel engines, but we'd be surprised if Audi sees fit to offer an oil-burner in the U.S. market. In any case, we'll surely see quattro all-wheel drive and a choice of manual, automatic or DSG transmission options.
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
arhimede06 2:12PM (5/04/2009)
They miss something in those renderings. The front picture of the 5 dorr version has the number plate IN A 3000.The rear picture of the same version has different numberplate IN A 3002.But the 3-door version has also In A 3002.Greate rendering stupid numberplate.
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Dondonel 3:56PM (5/04/2009)
Here's a tip for Audi on the American market.
Compact car means cheap car in US and expensive hatchbacks do not sell well unless they come with a heritage.
So instead of bringing a compact sedan, make a compact coupe out of A3, a downsized A5. In the premium price range a compact coupe will sell much more than a hatch or a compact sedan.
Alex 2:27PM (5/04/2009)
I just don't get my fellow Americans' love for the sedan. The last time I was at the auto show i was telling the little lady that i plan to get the Mazda 3 5-door as my next car. She pointed to the 4 door and said "why? that one is so much nicer". My knee-jerk reaction kicked in and i punched her in the face. She doesn't make that mistake anymore.
/settle down Nancy, i would never hit my wife.
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hoosker_doo 3:00PM (5/04/2009)
I absolutely prefer sedans over wagons any day of the week. Wagons look far less sporty and they have that "family car" reputation. They look awkward and bloated. A compact/mid-size sedan can be sporty, practical AND good looking. In my opinion, making a sport-wagon is like making a sporty SUV. I'm not against 2-door hatch backs though. However, once you stick on those two extra doors it's game over.
Turall 5:28PM (5/04/2009)
I don't have a family. Or kids. And I love wagons.
They look better to me. In fact, I think Audi's wagons look sleeker than their sedans.
I can carry a plasma TV in my A4 Avant. Or a chest of drawers. Or another set of tires. Or go camping, or skiing, with 3 friends and all of our gear. While getting 30mpg highway and sports sedan handling.
Some of my favorite cars of all time are Audi's superwagons (RS2, RS4 biturbo, RS6 biturbo). But they've never made it to the states because superficial people think that wagon = child seat in the back. But driving a fat, overweight, ugly, ill-handling SUV is cool!
America's car tastes truly favor 'style' and 'image' over substance. Maybe I should move to Europe.
BoxerFanatic 2:30PM (5/04/2009)
The rendering isn't too bad looking...
But why no 3-door? especially with a sleeker profile, somewhere between current euro-3-door and TT 3 door. Not quite as boxy as the A3, not quite as impractical as TT, and pricing just above Genesis Coupe, and right at, or slightly below comparably equipped G37x, or BMW 1-series... DSG with AWD, and the turbo 4 engine... Basically a sleek, premium audi alternative to the R32...
Truth be told, though, for 4-doors, I would probably go with the longitudinal drivetrain A4, rather than an A3 sedan.
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EU_reader 2:37PM (5/04/2009)
Except for the AWD, it's called a scirocco.
Why would VAG do that? Platform sharing works, but don't let them fish in the same pond.
BoxerFanatic 3:14PM (5/04/2009)
Doesn't audi still sell the A3 3-door in the european market?
Scirocco might be the equivalent of that, but Scirocco is not going to be sold in the US...
And Scirocco is almost as boxy as the Golf/Rabbit. Other than a slightly lower roof, why exactly is a Scirocco so much different than a GTI or R32, anyway?
I was thinking that a new A3 sleek 3 door could have hints of the A5 in it's profile, and really be a new FWD/AWD DSG-equipped Corrado-like car, sold under more premium Audi dealers, rather than VW.
Corrado was certainly less boxy in the back than the new Scirocco, or Golf/Rabbit bodies. Corrado was a bit premium, and slightly more niche than VW usually gets, but would probably befit Audi's premium sport image, especially offered with AWD.
It would be smaller and lighter than the A5, and more affordable, and slightly more practical than the TT. The TT should go mid-engined-transverse with the rumored VW roadster, anyway.
David 2:37PM (5/04/2009)
Further examples of VW's idiocy, and one more reason reason why I am personally boycotting VW/Audi. I'm tired of being denied that which they seem to believe I do not want, or being told I'm too fat for their cars, etc... Basically, I'm sick of them treating me like a child who isn't worthy of their offerings. F-em!
The A3 will be a huge fail if they don't continue to offer it in hatch.
I have MINI. I know ALL about how useful and practical a hatch is. I will never, ever get a car with a trunk again. Hear that, VW? If you don't offer hatches, then I'm not looking your way!!
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smythe 3:00PM (5/04/2009)
what r you bitching at "the German automaker's entry-level model is slated to get a four-door sedan variant tailored specifically for the U.S" ----- KEY WORD "VARIANT" their is no mention in this article that they are just going to be offering the sedan in the US. they are simply speculating that the sedan variant will only be available in the US.
ChopperDave 3:12PM (5/04/2009)
"Hear that, VW? If you don't offer hatches, then I'm not looking your way!!"
Dude, chill. The Golf isn't going anywhere. I also don't see the GTI turning tail out of the US because we're fat-arsed trunk moneys. VW will continue to make hatches.
That said, I really wish Audi would stop developing so many cars I want. I can't afford that many, Audi!
Ian 3:21PM (5/04/2009)
Exactly... if its a SEDAN on the A platform, its just a tarted up Jetta. Why not just keep it a hatchback, the way its been the rest of its life and flourished?
David 6:55PM (5/04/2009)
ChopperDave, you must have missed their announcement about the Polo. We aren't getting their Polo. We're getting a special version for FAT PEOPLE. It also probably has a trunk!
This is just the latest in a series of insulting VW announcements.
Iceman 1:16PM (5/09/2009)
An Audi version of the Passat, with a 6-speed and a diesel engine? Sold! Too bad the pictures are all hatchbacks. No trunk = no sale. Some of us actually need a car that can carry four people PLUS LUGGAGE from time to time.
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Kumar 3:38PM (5/04/2009)
"but we'd be surprised if Audi sees fit to offer an oil-burner in the U.S. market. In any case, we'll surely see quattro all-wheel drive and a choice of manual, automatic or DSG transmission options."
Isn't a diesel option coming to the FWD A3 later this year?
Then you have to ask yourself, why even bother with an Audi if it doesn't have quattro. While I want a diesel motor in my next ride, if given the choice between a tdi fwd A3 and a gasser 2.0t quattro A3, the gasser wins hands down. Seems like a point-at-foot-and-shoot situation.
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Hellas 4:41PM (5/04/2009)
I agree. They need to bring over the quattro versions no matter what. My A4 is amazing in the snow up here in Montreal...You drive a quattro you will never go back to driving any FWD or RWD car. In fact as soon as my lease is up on my other car (a Saturn Aura..dont ask...!) I am getting another quattro, this time either an A3 hatch or an A4 wagon!
Kris 4:40PM (5/04/2009)
I've always loved the A3. It's more than a hatch, but not quite a wagon. With one exception, I haven't driven a car that gets less than 40 mpg highway since 2000 (a couple TDIs and a hybrid). The upcoming A3 TDI is definitely tempting, but the leaked option list for the Golf TDI will probably keep me in the VW camp rather than moving upscale.
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P.V. 9:53PM (5/04/2009)
S3 = GOOD.
Sedan = BAD.
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rwcmick 12:16PM (5/05/2009)
Why would you be surprised to see an oil burner in our market? Audi has confirmed that it will be offering the a TDI in our market for the current generation, why wouldn't they offer it in the next?
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