The 2014 Audi A3 and Audi S3 have been revealed at the New York Auto Show, a new range topper for the A3 range. Launches UK summer 2013.
Aimed primarily at the US and Chinese love of traditional three box saloons, the booted version of the A3 gets a few tweaks to set it apart from the hatch (apart from the boot) such as more pronounced curves on the side, flared wheel arches, new bonnet contours, new bumper and air intake design, tweaked grill, new lights at the back and a boot spoiler.
The A3 saloon is 150mm longer than the A3 Sportback and 11mm wider although trhe wheelbase remains the same as the Sportback and the new boot can swallow 425 lires of stuff with the seats up – more than 10 per cent up on the Sportback.
Engines on offer at launch will be the 1.4 litre TFSI with 140PS and cylinder on demand technology offering 60.1mpg and a 0-62mph of 8.4 seconds, the 1.8 litre TFSI with 180PS, 49,6 mpg and 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds and a 2.0 litre TDI with 150PS, 67,3mpg and 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds.
The A3 saloons more powerful sibling – the Audi S3 Saloon – alos arrives sporting a muscular 2.0 litre TFSI with 300PS and 280lb/ft of torque which is enough to get the S3 to 62mph in 4.9 seconds when power is sent to all four wheels through Audi’s S Tronic ‘box (5.3 seconds if you want to shift gear yourself) and over 40mpg whichever ‘box you choose.
Lowered suspension, S bumpers, single frame grill, door mirror housings side sills and air intakes are all S3 specific and quad tailpipes let those behind know you have something worthwhile under the bonnet.
The new Audi A3 and S3 go on sale in the summer with the first A3s arriving with UK customer in the autumn, although if you want the S3 you’ll have to wait until early January for delivery. Audi will reveal full specs and prices for both the A3 and S3 saloon before the order book opens.
PhilipJH says
Without perspective the A3 saloon could almost be an A8! Why do Audi have to make everything look the same. I understand a family resemblance helps the brand but isn’t it getting out fo hand at Audi. Time to inject some individuality.
Percy says
I didn’t see the point of an A3 with a boot but this is what the A4 should have been before it got too big. Not as pointless a niche for Audi as I’d thought.