2014 Audi A3 Sedan makes its world debut in NYC [UPDATE]

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Videos, Audi, Luxury

Audi is bringing some excitement to this year's New York Auto Show, showing off a 2014 A3 Sedan that will shortly be vying for attention in the luxury market's newly hot compact segment. The newly minted A3 faces immediate challenge from box-fresh small premium sedans like the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the Acura ILX, as well as players like the Buick Verano and the Lexus CT200h.

Of course, the German automaker will be the first to tell you that this new A3 is more than up to the challenge. Audi's typically high-level of design is in effect here, with sheet metal that is attractive without looking like a clone of the larger A4. The A3 will have the option of full LED headlamps, of course, carrying on Audi's now famous positioning in the world of recognizable lighting. Wheels will range from 16-inches to 18-inches, we're told, which will also help to cement the sporty look and premium placement of the small sedan.

The A3 Sedan will be vying for attention in the luxury market's newly hot compact segment.

Inside, the A3 now offers a driver information display that uses 3D graphics, a revised MMI system (still operable via a column-mounted knob or steering wheel controls), the choice of three different steering wheels (depending on function), optional sport seating and a whole lot more. Interior colorways fall into the black, brown, gray or beige variety, and two-tone packages are also in the mix. Cloth seats, two kinds of leather and Alacantara all find themselves among the options, as well.

The A3 will launch in Europe before it comes Stateside, and will offer a three-engine lineup when it does. All three mills are of the four-cylinder variety, with a 2.0-liter TDI offering 150-horsepower and 236-pound-feet of torque, a 1.4-liter, 140-hp and 184-lb-ft TFSI, and a 1.8-liter, 180-hp and 184-lf-ft TFSI. The diesel motor is expected to return roughly 57 miles per gallon on the combined European cycle, the 1.4 and 1.8 engines will offer 50 mpg and 42 mpg, respectively. 0-62 mile per hour times will range from 7.3 seconds for the 1.8 TFSI, to 8.7 for the TDI. As of this writing, the expected powertrain lineup for North America is still unknown.

European customers will have their choice of either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed S tronic dual clutch setup, though we're told that there will be no manual option for US customers. We'll follow up when we know if that's forever, or just at launch. In the meantime, have a full look at our gallery of A3 images and take a moment to scan the official Audi press release, below.

UPDATE: We were able to confirm a few more facts with Audi representatives this evening. The A3 engines that will be headed to the US are the 2.0-liter TDI, 1.8-liter TFSI and the 2.0-liter TFSI. It was also reiterated that the car will make its "official" world debut at the Shanghai Motor Show next month, and will not be on sale in this country until the 2015 model year.

UPDATE II: Video added below.

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2014 Audi A3 Sedan makes its world debut in NYC [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi A3 sedan caught nearly naked

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Audi, Luxury

It's been almost two years since we first saw the Audi A3 Sedan Concept under the lights of the Geneva Motor Show, but it looks like we won't have to wait much longer to see this small Audi four-door on the open road. Our spy shooters have caught Audi testing the sedan version of the next-generation A3 that is expected to go on sale in the US later next year.

From what we can tell from this test mule, Audi has kept the overall styling of the A3 Sedan very similar to the 2011 concept car. The long-lensed shots don't give us too much detail of the car's body or any interior shots, but we do see that the concept's roofline and side window shape carries over almost identically. As expected, the massive carbon fiber and aluminum wheels have been replaced with more appropriately sized wheels, and the door mirrors are befitting a production car. The concept had a four-passenger seating layout, but we would be surprised if this configuration makes it to production.

No definitive word on what will power the next A3, but don't hold your breath for the same five-cylinder used on the A3 Sedan Concept. With a stated 408 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, this engine's output seems rather high even for a next-gen RS3.

Audi A3 sedan caught nearly naked originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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