By Staff Reporter

Audi has revealed the fourth generation A3 premium compact hatchback which is set to debut in 2021. The new A3 from Ingolstadt enters its fourth generation with an evolutionary exterior and a significantly different cabin. The new Audi A3 will only feature the Sportback with Audi deciding to discontinue the less practical three-door derivative due to slow demand. The Sportback is likely to be followed by the sedan later this year, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Exterior Looks

The fourth generation A3 is three centimeters longer (at 4.34 meters) and wider (at 1.82 meters with mirrors excluded) than the outgoing model. The wheelbase and height remain unchanged at 2.64 meters and 1.43 meters, respectively. Keeping with Volkswagen Group DNA, the exterior styling takes the evolutionary route and follows Audi’s recent design language with smart-looking headlights and taillights. The daytime running lights will be different depending on the version (S Line, S3, RS3), and buyers will be able to pay extra to get matrix LED headlights that are becoming more common in the compact segment.

The new Audi A 3 will also have roof rails in place to give it a mini wagon look. The base model A3 will ride on 16-inch wheels with an option of up to 19-inche alloy wheels for the upper models. The A3 will come with an optional suspension that will bring the car closer to the road by 10 millimeters (mm), while a sports suspension will lower the ride height by 15mm to enable more agile handling also enhanced by the progressive steering with a variable steering ratio.

Interior

The cabin has been modified and now accommodates an angular dashboard hosting a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that can be optionally bumped to a 12.3-inch size. Ten times more powerful than the old setup, the infotainment system has a 10.1-inch diagonal and is neatly integrated into the center console rather than sticking out from the dashboard like it did on the outgoing model. The interior also features traditional buttons below the MMI infotainment system that provide quick access to the car’s most common features rather than having to navigate through the multiple menus of the touchscreen display.

The new A3 is equipped with the automatic transmission benefits from shift-by-wire tech that frees up room between the front seats since there’s no mechanical linkage between the gear-shifting lever and the transmission anymore.

Engine

The new A3 will be offered in both turbocharged petrol and turbocharged diesel engines. The new A3 will be powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine in a traditional version and with a mild-hybrid variant. Both these engines will produce 110 kW of power. In addition, there will be a smaller three-cylinder 1.0-liter engine producing 85 kW of power. The diesel engine will be available in a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel that produces 110 kW of power. The engines will be paired with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission gearbox.

Initially, the new Audi A3 will come only with a front-wheel-drive, but we anticipated that the Quattro-equipped models will join the lineup soon enough. There will also be additional engines, topping out with the 2.5-liter five-cylinder of the RS3 with around 400kW of power.

Audi is already taking pre-orders in Germany and will start customer deliveries in May. Local availability is yet to be announced.