According to reports, the German automotive conglomerate Volkswagen AG is reshaping the lineup of four ringed luxury vehicles that it is planning to offer in the U.S. in a more economical way. While Audi has no plans of producing a diminutive A1 mini car or a drop top A3, they are planning a few other versions of the compact hatchback. These variants include everything from a clean diesel burning five door to a four door sedan, much like an upscale VW Jetta, and even a compact crossover called the Q3. The German automaker is also considering a zero emissions A2 BEV. An all electric A2 city car would definitely soften up the U.S. market’s opinion about a possible e-Tron super car further on down the road.
On a more global note, the German automaker has also canceled plans to build an all out racecar spec motor sports version of their current entry level sedan, the RS4. However Audi did tell us that their RennSport division is focusing on the B segment cars, so that only leaves the RS5 to get our high performance hopes up, at least until the next round of cutbacks. However it would have been unlikely for the German automaker to expand the breadth of their RS lineup for next year with the TT-RS scheduled for delivery and an RS3 in the works. Although we here in the U.S. will most likely never see the latter, it is rare that Audi build more than one RS variant per model year. Either way it looks like all of Audi’s in house high performance tuner cars will keep with a sleek two door theme.
Audi has combined for the first time in a model the start-stop system and the S-tronic dual-clutch transmission. This application will be used for the first time in the Audi A3 1.6 TDI with 105 hp and the 1.4 TFSI with 125 hp.
Thanks to this new technology the Audi A3 TDI will have a fuel economy if 56.00 US mpg and the TFSI version of 44.38 US mpg.
The start-stop system turns the engine off as soon as the vehicle comes to a stop; the engine stays off as long as the driver depresses the brake pedal. As soon as the driver removes their foot from the brake pedal, start-stop turns the engine back on – quietly, conveniently and quickly.
Press release after the jump.
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In standard trim the Audi A3 Convertible is a very attractive looking open air compact, but the German tuning firm Hofele Design figured that they would put their creative skills to the test and do it one better. Hofele has developed an all new appearance package for the A3 that gives the little car a racing inspired GTS look up front with a redesigned front bumper that incorporates two large air intakes on either side that can be left alone or filled in with the optional fog light kit. Another upgrade that owners can consider at the time of installation is to replace the factory grill with a piece from an S3, if not the original unit can be utilized.
Out back the Audi A3 convertible receives Hofele’s new rear apron that is attached directly to the stock bumper and includes a very sporty looking rear diffuser. Hofele allows A3 owners to add a little performance and style at the same time with their quad sport exhaust system that fits perfectly inside of the new rear fascia. However just like up front Hofele allows owners to reuse the stock components, in this case the exhaust with another diffuser that offers the same sport style with one less cutout for a very clean look.
The sneaky automotive paparazzi have spotted a cleverly disguised next generation hatchback from Audi. It is true that the German automaker has just unveiled a refreshed version of the compact A3 with a new facelift, but the photo shows that the four ringed design team have already gotten to work on the next generation model. The spy shot proves it. Even if on the car says "Golf" on the hatch, the car is in fact a test mule for the next A3. Albeit cleverly disguised with boxed fenders, VW taillights and set of steelies. What we can say about the next Audi A3 is that it will grow a little bit in every dimension, the wider track should make for an even more stable ride.
If you remember the luxury automaker pulled the same trick when trying out the, at the time, future Q3 that was firstly tested using VW Tiguan regalia as well as when the A1 city car was being developed badged as a Volkswagen Polo.
Audi has prepared three of their signature models: the A3, TT and R8 with one of the greatest navigation system available at the moment. The new Audi navigation system plus with MMI is being priced between 2,270 and 2,565 Euros; that is depending on which model you choose.
The heart of the unit is the 800 x 480 pixel, high-resolution 6.5 inch screen. Route calculation is now blazingly fast thanks to a latest-generation processor clocked at 600 MHz. In addition to the recommended path, the split-screen display now also shows speed limits taken from the navigation data for freeways and highways. In topographic map view, the driver and front passenger can scroll vertically, horizontally and now also along the route as they wish.
Press release after the jump.
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The German tuners ABT Sportsline have just unleashed their new tuning kit for Audi’s hot hatch, the A3. The aero kit includes: a front spoiler, side skirts, fender inserts and a rear apron. Adding to the sonorous performance is an ABT quad tipped exhaust and a little bit of bling with a set of 18 inch rollers, or the optional 19 inch wheels.
ABT also worked their magic under the hood: the 1.4 Liter TSI engine now makes 160 HP, up from the standard 125 HP; the 1.8 Liter TSI motor is now making 210 HP, as opposed to the 160 HP that came from the factory. The largest of the gas burning engines, the 2.0 TSI is now making 240 HP and the diesel burning 2.0 Liter TDI power plant is tuned to make anywhere from 170 to 190 HP.
Press release after the jump.
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The lovable little Audi A3 will be receiving a couple of new power plants thanks to the Volkswagen Group. The four ringed automaker has added an alternatively fueled four cylinder engine to the lineup in order to satisfy diesel drivers in Europe as well as increase mileage and reduce emissions. The 1.6 Liter TDI will be offered in two flavors, the first making 90 HP and the second putting down 105 HP, while torque output for the two turbo diesel engines is significantly higher.
In Europe they would say that the 1.6 TDI A3 will consume only 4.1 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers, whereas in the U.S. we would say that it gets 57.37 MPG, all while emitting minimal greenhouse gasses. This excellent ecological performance is made possible by the new vehicle’s start/stop and energy recovery systems. The turbo diesel A3 is no slouch either, the high output version is capable of going from 0 to 60 MPH in 11.4 seconds, not bad considering the vehicle gets about the same gas mileage as a Prius.
Press release after the jump.
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Is it possible that this blurry image is really the next Audi A3 that is scheduled to be unveiled in 2010? According to the number plate that’s what it looks like. Even if the image doesn’t reveal too much about the future Audi, but you can see a set of LED taillights inspired by the Q5.
We here at Top Speed have to remind you that the next generation Audi A3 will also be available for the first time as an RS3 version, there will also be a coupe-like sedan know internally as the A3 Plus.
The next Audi A3 will be powered by a wide range of engines, from a 1.2 Liter unit going all the way up to a 1.8 Liter power plant making anywhere from a fuel conscious 105 HP to a potent 173 HP.
As you may already know, the engineers at Audi are hard at work preparing the next generation A3 for 2011. The future A3 will be offered in four different body configurations; there will be the usual hatchback, sportback and cabriolet models. But new for 2011 will be a sedan, aimed mainly at improving sales in the North American market, the four-door A3 will be roughly the same size as the Volkswagen Jetta, except the Audi version will feature a coupe like profile with a rounded roofline.
The car will be built on the same platform as today’s Golf and feature a MacPherson strut type suspension up front and a four link set up in the rear. Under the hood Audi will use the new turbocharged 1.2 Liter TFSI engine that replaces the current entry level power plant. The German automaker will also offer a 1.4 Liter making 140 HP, a 1.8 Liter making 170 HP and a 2.0 Liter TFSI unit making 210 HP. The factory tuned S3 will use the 2.0 Liter unit, except output is bumped up to 280 HP.
Audi will also offer the next generation A3 with diesel power with a new 1.6 Liter TDI engine that makes 105 HP and features a fuel saving automatic stop/start feature. Like the current A3, the 2011 model will be offered with a front-wheel drive power train and Audi’s signature Quattro all wheel drive. The new A3 will be shifted with either a six speed manual or a seven speed DSG gearbox.
It is standard procedure that before buying a car, the interested party should take said vehicle for a test drive. In the event that the car is a “cracker” (as the guy from Wheeler Dealers likes to call them) and the interested party wishes to purchase the vehicle they bring a check, or in certain occasions, cash. But something a car buyer should never do, is leave the cash in the backseat for a highway run, with the top down.
That is exactly what a 23 year old man from Hanover, Germany did when he took a new Audi A3 Convertible for a test drive. The driver left 23,000 Euro (about $31,000) in an envelope in the back seat for safekeeping.
To make a long story short, the man from Hanover had to call the police, who shut down the highway and helped the guy recover 20,000 of his Euro. So if you take anything away from the man’s experience, keep the cash in your pocket, or just stay away from convertibles all together.
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