Audi will be bringing the new generation A3 hatchback to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, leading the way to the unveiling of the S3 and RS3 versions shortly thereafter. The RS3 will be the last to arrive, but will undoubtedly be the most impressive.
The new RS3, like the entire A3 family, will be built on a new MQB platform that will make the car about 10% lighter when compared to its predecessor. Audi will also adopt an updated exterior language as seen in the A3 Concept unveiled last year at the Geneva Motor Show. There will also be an improved interior and an upgraded infotainment system.
Under the hood, the next RS3 will retain its usual turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, but its output will be increased from the current 340 HP to 350 HP. Audi will also be working to improve fuel economy.
More details about the next RS3 will follow shortly, so stay tuned! Until then, check out our rendering and let us know what you think!
Audi is prepping the automotive industry for the next year with a new documents detailing its future plans. The first item on the agenda are plans to invest a total of €13 billion, in new products and technologies, as well as in expanding its sites by 2016.
"To maintain our profitable growth, we will step up investment spending on new products," said Axel Strotbek, Member of the Board of Management for Finance and Organization at AUDI AG. "The Audi Group plans to invest over € 2 billion annually in new products and technologies."
In their immediate future, Audi will be putting their new A8 hybrid on sale, which will then be followed by the launch of the Audi A3. Of course, the most awaited model is the R8 e-Tron which will be unveiled at the end of 2012. When the new R8 e-Tron is released, it will make Audi the first premium manufacturer to bring an all-electric sports car onto the market in a small series.
The next generation Audi A3 has been caught testing yet again, this time during some winter testing. Audi was the first automaker to take full advantage of the winter testing grounds in Northern Sweden, right when the weather was just right. This marks the vehicle’s final testings, which means the launch date is right around the corner.
The new A3 will come in four different body styles. The first to arrive will be the three door hatch, which will then be followed by a five door hatch, - called the Sportback - a convertible, and for the first time, a four door sedan. The new model will be slightly larger than the current model and will be built on Volkswagen’s new MQB platform. The engine line-up will include a choice between six enginesc consisting of both TSI and TDI variants. Power will range between 105 HP and 210 HP, and all engines will bring a 20% improvement in fuel economy. Audi has also announced that they will be be bringing in all-electric and hybrid models for 2013.
Audi may be sending out the current generation TT-RS with one final special edition - the TT-RS Plus - but they are introducing another with that same package. At least, that is what a leaked document is suggesting.
Back in June 2011, Audi reported that all of the 2,700 units of the highly anticipated RS3 Sportback had been sold out, but if this document is to be taken seriously, then customers may have another chance to snag the sports hatch in an even cooler package. The RS3 Plus will take the turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine - also found in the TT-RS - and jump-start it by 20 HP, leaving it with a total of 360 HP and 342 lb-ft. of torque. And just like with the TT-RS Plus, the RS3 Plus will be a few pounds lighter, thus making it a little bit faster. Expect to see different carbon fiber elements as well, most likely a specially designed wheel and a fixed rear wing.
The Audi RS3 Plus will be unveiled in May 2012, a month after the TT-RS Plus.
The Audi A3 began production back in 1996 and, after being previewed by the A3 Concept, is preparing to enter its third generation sometime in the middle of 2012. The new model will be slightly larger than the current model and will be offered in both hatchback and sedan versions. Audi hopes the sedan will take off in the US market, where hatchbacks aren’t as readily accepted as in Europe. Depending on the market, the new Audi A3 will feature both petrol and diesel engines.
The new Audi A3 will be built on Volkswagen’s new MQB platform and will be slightly larger than the current model. Depending on the market, Audi will be offering a choice of six engines, both TSI and TDI, all of them with an improvement of 20% in terms of fuel economy. In the upcoming years, Audi will be also offering a hybrid and even an electric version of the car.
The new Audi A3 will be offered in two body versions: hatchback (three and five-door versions) and sedan, all further identified by unique design features. When talking about the next A3, Audi’s design boss, Stefan Sielaff said: "Three-door cars will be more compact and sharper in design, while the four-door will have different dimensions and detailing around the car – it’ll be a sporty, peppy design with a sexy back end!"
UPDATE 08/25/2011: Don’t like trying to look past the camo in the spy shots of the future A3 facelift? Check out our rendering of the future model for a clearer look!
UPDATE 10/13/2011:AutoExpress has revealed new details on the next generation Audi A3 set to be unveiled in early 2012. According to the British magazine, the A3 engine line-up will include 1.2, 1.4, 1.8, and 2.0-liter turbo petrol units delivering between 105bhp and 210bhp, as well as 1.6 and 2.0-liter TDI engines producing up to 170 HP. All-electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid versions will also be launched in 2013.
UPDATE 12/08/2011: The new Audi A3 has been caught testing one time time, this time under winter conditions.
