Audi boss Rupert Stadler has given the production green light to a new saloon version of the A3 — a car Ingolstadt insiders describe as a spiritual successor to the Audi 80.
The premium-priced four-door, slated for a UK launch in 2013, will join newly designed three-door hatchback (pictured), five-door Sportback and two-door cabriolet models in an expanded third-generation line-up.
The A3 saloon is planned as an entry-level model in the world’s two largest car markets: the US and China. But Audi also sees the saloon as a car to slot below the A4, which has grown in length by 220mm since it arrived in 1994.
The A3 saloon’s styling is expected to follow today’s family look, and at 4.51 metres long it will be slightly shorter than the new Volkswagen Jetta.
Under the skin is VW’s new MQB modular platform, which is said to be cheaper and easier to make than today’s PQ35 platform. The suspension layout is the same — front struts and rear multi-link — and both front and four-wheel drive are available.
Petrol engines for the UK are likely to range from a turbocharged 1.4-litre four to a 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbo powering an RS3 performance flagship. Among the diesels will be 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre four-cylinder units. Also planned is a hybrid based on the 1.4 turbo and lithium ion battery pack shown in VW’s Compact Coupé concept.
The A3 saloon will battle new compact four-doors from BMW and Mercedes: a still-secret booted version of the second-generation 1-series and a production version of Mercedes’ F800 Style concept, based on the new platform of the third-generation A-class.
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Re: A3 saloon 'in spirit of Audi 80'
If they do not equip it with an extremely short, wide and deep boot then it is not in the spirit of the Audi 80.
For those without a long memory the 80 had the most odd shape boot that seemed be like a mineshaft and go down forever.
Re: A3 saloon 'in spirit of Audi 80'
So pointless. An A3 Saloon? Send it to China where it might take off. But here in the UK we have an A4, which Audi have made it a slot car below the A5. The A5 Sportback is basically a previous A4 with a sloping roof line. So what do they do with the new A4, make it slab-sided. The A4 made Audi a great car maker and they should see this. The A3 saloon the 'spirit of the Audi 80'? Don't make me laugh. The A4 IS the spirit of the Audi 80 already.
Re: A3 saloon 'in spirit of Audi 80'
I dont think an Audi A3 with a 1.2 engine would work for the profile of the car / buyer, no matter how good it is
shame though...