2009 Audi A3

Exterior design

An expressive exterior design and lines which surge forwards – the athletic exterior of the Audi A3 and the A3 Sportback has been further streamlined. The new features at the front end are the most eye-catching. The single-frame radiator grille has been fitted with a new trim grille and a redeveloped chrome frame, further emphasizing its striking character. The bumper and the air inlets – with integrated fog lamps in the sporty Ambition equipment line – have also been redesigned. Modifications to the engine hood and the fenders cause the front end to appear more clearly defined and wider.

With their confident look, the headlamps express the entire philosophy with which Audi develops its models – they are small, technical works of art of the very highest precision. The integrated, vapor-deposited chrome trim, the "wing", has already advanced to become a typical feature of the brand, as has the innovative safety system of the daytime running lights. Depending on the design of the headlamps, both components reveal slight differences.

In the high-powered H7 halogen headlamps, long-life bulbs are employed in the lower area for the daytime running lights. Each of the optional xenon plus headlamps, which can be further refined with adaptive light, the dynamic cornering light system, are fitted with seven light-emitting diodes located at the upper edge of the headlamps.

Further new details accentuate the coupe-like side view of the A3 and the A3 Sportback. The exterior mirrors are equipped with integrated turn signal indicators and the door handles have been redesigned. Powerful 16-inch wheels fill out the wheel housings; the wheels fitted in the Ambition line have a diameter of 17 inches and are manufactured from cast aluminum. The Audi exclusive range available from quattro GmbH also offers extremely sporty 18-inch wheels in four different designs.

The rear view of both models has now also become more expressive. The wide lamps, which are drawn into the trunk lid from the side panels, emphasize the horizontals. Plastic rods, which are supplied by LEDs, form flat light coronas in the A3 Sportback during the hours of darkness; these light guide rods additionally generate a particularly homogeneous and precise light profile. In the three-door A3, the trunk lid has been provided with a new light edge. Modifications to the bumper further enhance the end of the vehicle. Engines as of an output of 77 kW (105 hp) are equipped with an exhaust system with twin tailpipes.

Moderate: Increase in length

Due to the design changes, the length of both A3 variants has increased. The length of the three-door version has increased by 25 millimeters (0.98 inches) to 4.24 meters (13.91 feet), with six millimeters (0.24 inches) being added to the five-door Sportback (4.29 meters (14.07 feet)). The vehicle’s sporty proportions therefore remain virtually unchanged. The width of 1.77 meters (5.81 feet) and the height (1.42 meters (4.66 feet)) remain unchanged; the drag coefficient is 0.33. Four new colors make the color charts even more attractive – Aruba Blue, pearl effect; Glass Blue, pearl effect; Condor Gray, metallic; Meteor Gray, pearl effect. A total of 14 (3-door A3) or 15 (A3 Sportback) paint finishes are available.

Customers who value an even sportier look can order the S line exterior package, which offers identical components for the A3 and the A3 Sportback. At the front, the package provides specially designed grille inserts, bars, fog lamp surrounds in
chrome-look and the bumper. A roof spoiler and tailpipe trims for the fourcylinder vehicles catch the eye at the rear, with door sill strips and lettering at the sides.

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