- Exceptional entry price of $35,600 for Audi's benchmark A3 Sportback
- Outstanding in all areas: design, technology, performance, efficiency
- Audi Australia MD Andrew Doyle: "The new A3 Sportback demonstrates the very best of what Audi is capable of."
The new third-generation Audi A3 Sportback has arrived in Australia, starting at $35,600. Sophisticated design, strong performance, frugal efficiency, advanced features from the luxury class and outstanding quality all combine to ensure that the A3 Sportback is a true Audi.
Audi Australia's Managing Director, Andrew Doyle, said the new A3 Sportback is of tremendous strategic importance to the company.
"We are immensely proud of the extraordinary new Audi A3 Sportback. It demonstrates the very best of what Audi is capable of.
"The new A3 Sportback offers the luxury, features and quality of a much larger car in a concentrated package. We created the premium compact segment in 1996 with the very first A3, and since then, almost 18,000 Australian customers have chosen to own one. With the all-new Audi A3, we will lead the segment once again."
"The all-new A3 range will be a key sales driver for Audi as we head toward our goal of becoming the number one premium brand in Australia. But the Sportback is just the starting point: over the next few years we will see the much-anticipated A3 sedan, the S3 models, the all-new A3 Cabriolet and of course our first plug-in hybrid, the A3 e-tron."
Starting at $35,600, the entry-level model in the new A3 Sportback range is 85 kg lighter than its predecessor and is powered by a 1.4 TFSI turbocharged petrol engine that produces 90kW and 200Nm. The 1.4 TFSI accelerates to 100km/h in 9.3 seconds, with frugal fuel economy of 5.0 litres per 100km.
The top petrol engine in the range is the powerful 1.8 TFSI, which produces a hefty 132 kW and 250 Nm. Maximum torque is available from just 1,250 rpm, and remains constant up to 5,000 rpm. As a result, the 1.8 TFSI reaches 100 km/h in only 7.3 seconds, with exceptional fuel economy of 5.6 litres per 100km.
The 2.0 TDI turbocharged diesel engine also offers strong performance, peaking at 110kW and 320 Nm. As expected of an Audi diesel engine, acceleration is a strong point. The 2.0 TDI model powers to 100km/h in 8.4 seconds, returning outstanding fuel economy of 4.5 litres per 100km.
All four models use the sporty – yet highly efficient – S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Shifting in just a few milliseconds, the S tronic transmission delivers the perfect combination of sporty performance and smooth driving qualities.
Audi has also reversed the weight spiral with the new A3 Sportback. Audi ultra lightweight technology reduces weight by as much as 90 kilograms, compared with the previous model. Equipped with the 1.4 TFSI engine, the five-door model has a kerb weight of just 1,225 kilograms. Hot-shaped high-tensile steels are used in the occupant cell of the new A3 Sportback and the bonnet and front guards are made of aluminium. The complete occupant cell is 37 kilograms lighter overall than in the previous model. Further weight reductions were achieved throughout the interior and in the engines.
The new Audi A3 Sportback has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, and the entry-level 1.4 TFSI model has also been awarded a five-star rating in the Australian Government's Green Vehicle Guide ratings.
One of the strengths of the Audi A3 Sportback is its broad appeal. Young, ambitious singles as well as young couples are all attracted the design, functionality and versatility of the A3 Sportback, with most in the 30-49 age group. Nevertheless, the A3 Sportback is also highly desirable among young adults who have not yet left the family home, aged under 29, along with 'empty nesters' aged over 60. One theme is clear throughout all these target groups: discerning buyers want to differentiate themselves by their choice of vehicle.
Equipment and Pricing – highlights at a glance
The A3 Sportback offers a very high level of standard equipment in keeping with its premium positioning – highlights include:
Attraction trim level (1.4 TFSI and 1.6 TDI)
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Audi parking system: rear
- Leather-appointed upholstery
- Dual-zone automatic climate control with digital display and rear-seat vents
- Audi Music Interface
- Bluetooth interface with audio streaming
- MMI radio system - electrically retractable, slimline 5.8-inch colour display monitor with 8 passive speakers
- Cruise control
- Driver information system
- Dynamic suspension
- Exterior electric mirrors
- Light and rain sensor
- Multi-function leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel with paddle-shift
Ambition trim level (1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TDI)
Additional standard equipment on top of Attraction trim level:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Front leather-appointed sports seats with height, depth and seat rake adjustment
- High-gloss package; aluminium window surrounds
- Aluminium-look interior styling with aluminium sill trims
- Front fog lights
- Full colour driver information system
- Audi Drive Select
- Multi-function leather-wrapped three-spoke sports steering wheel
with paddle-shift
Pricing (Manufacturer List Pricing (MLP) – excludes dealer delivery and statutory charges)
Attraction specification level
A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI S tronic 90kW 200Nm $35,600
A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI S tronic 77kW 250Nm $36,500
Ambition specification level
A3 Sportback 1.8 TFSI S tronic 132kW 250Nm $42,500
A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI S tronic 110kW 320Nm $42,500
High-value option packages
To make it easier than ever for customers to combine highly desirable features together in exceptional value packages, the new Audi A3 Sportback will be offered with the following:
Style package (Attraction models only) - $2,000
- Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights
- 17" alloy wheels, 5-arm 'kinetic' design
Style package (Ambition models only) - $2,000
- Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights
- 18" alloy wheels, 5-arm 'dynamic' design
- Sports suspension with a lowered ride height of 15mm
Technik package (Attraction and Ambition models) – $2,990
- MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, including 7.0-inch colour display monitor
- Audi parking assist with rear view camera
Comfort package (Attraction and Ambition models) – $2,200
- Electrically adjustable front seats with electric lumbar support
- Heated front seats
- Convenience key
- Auto dimming interior mirror
- Exterior mirrors electric fold, heated with kerb view
Assistance package (Attraction and Ambition models only) - $1,800
- Adaptive cruise control including pre-sense basic
- Lane departure warning
- High beam assist
S line sports package (Ambition models only) – $4,200
- S line exterior package
- S line sports package
- 18-inch aluminium wheels
- Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights
The Audi Group
The Audi Group delivered more than 1,455,100 cars of the Audi brand to customers in 2012. In 2012, the Company posted revenue of €48.8 billion and an operating profit of €5.4 billion. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Gyor (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). The Audi Q7 is built in Bratislava (Slovakia). In November 2012, CKD production of the Audi Q7 was added to the existing Audi A4, A6 and Q5 manufacturing operations in Aurangabad (India). At the Brussels plant, production of the Audi A1 has been running since 2010, while production of the new A1 Sportback began in 2012. The Audi Q3 has been built in Martorell (Spain) since June 2011. The Company is active in more than 100 markets worldwide. AUDI AG's wholly owned subsidiaries include AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft. (Gyor, Hungary), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy), AUDI BRUSSELS S.A./N.V. (Brussels, Belgium), quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm and the sports motorcycle manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy). Audi currently employs more than 68,000 people worldwide, including around 50,000 in Germany. The brand with the four rings plans to invest a total of €11 billion by 2015 – mainly in new products and the expansion of production capacities – in order to sustain the Company's technological lead embodied in its "Vorsprung durch Technik" claim. Audi is currently expanding its site in Gyor (Hungary) and will start production in Foshan (China) in late 2013 and in San José Chiapa (Mexico) in 2016.
Audi has long been fulfilling its social responsibility on many levels – with the aim of making the future worth living for generations to come. The basis for Audi's lasting success is therefore formed by environmental protection, the conservation of resources, international competitiveness and a forward-looking human resources policy. One example of AUDI AG's commitment to environmental issues is the Audi Environmental Foundation. Within the context of "Vorsprung durch Technik", which extends far beyond its products, the Company is directing its activities toward a major goal – comprehensive CO2-neutral mobility.