2017 Audi A3 Hatchback

Audi->ke14 has released the updated 2017 A3 and all its derivatives, including the sedan, cabriolet, three-door, and Sportback. This mid-cycle refresh concentrates on new driver assistance systems, Audi’s virtual cockpit, new powertrain options, and a new exterior look.

The A3 dates back to 1996 when it debuted as a three-door hatchback.->ke304 It was built on Volkswagen’s->ke94 A platform, meaning its shared plenty of parts with the VW Golf.->ke164 The same can be said today, as the A3 shared much of its platform with the current Golf, itself getting a refresh for 2017.

We’ve been following the development of the 2017 Audi A3 for some time now, and have plenty of spy shots->ke166 to show for it. It was back in January 2016 when we last saw the A3 in development, trudging over show-covered roads in Europe. The fleet of A3 test cars included the sedan,->ke142 convertible,->ke144 and Sportback versions. Now with its face clearly visible and all the details made public, we can take a close look at what Audi has changed.

Updated 04/06/2016: Audi has released details and photos of the 2017 A3, including the Sportback and hatchback versions.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Audi A3 Hatchback.

2017 Audi A3 Hatchback

Specifications

Make: Array
Model: 2017 Audi A3 Hatchback
Engine/Motor: inline-3
Horsepower: 115
Torque: 148
[do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Pros

Cons

Exterior

Audi’s updated Singleframe grille makes its appearance on the 2017 A3 and features sharper contours and a wider appearance. Also new are the headlights and lower fascia. The differences are subtle at first blush, but are rather detailed when compared side by side to the 2016 model. The headlights are particularly noteworthy – they are segment-first Matrix LED units. The LED lights are optional, while Xenon Plus units are standard.

A new crop of 16-, 17-, 18-, and 19-inch wheels are available, along with five new paint colors. The new hues include Ara blue, Cosmic blue, Nano gray, Tango red, and Vegas yellow. This brings the A3’s color count to 12 optional colors.

Around the sides, the A3 Sportback remains mostly unchanged. Audi didn’t mess with success, especially for this mid-cycle refresh. The A3 still sports the double horizontal body lines that run along the door handles and down near the rocker panels. The wide windows are still adorned with a chrome trim ring, while a satin chrome roof rack provides extra storage for gear (when used with roof rails).

Out back, the A3 wears a new lower fascia with a three-segment design. A single, chrome-tipped exhaust pipe protrudes from the left side, while the other sections remain unaccented. The new taillights increase the A3’s high-tech look thanks to LED bulbs.

All told, the updated A3 looks smart and sophisticated, yet doesn’t depart from its previous form. Audi seems to have planned this refresh well.

Side-by-side comparison

Interior

Not much has changed within the A3’s cabin. There’s a new three-spoke steering wheel that offers an optional headed function. The driver’s seat can now be orded with a massaging function, too. However, the biggest change is the updated gauge cluster. Gone are the analog gauges, replaced with Audi’s virtual cockpit. The large, 12.3-inch TFT screen offers driver-selectable views that include a full map, entertainment information, and of course, large gauges for vehicle information like speed and engine revs.

Along with the virtual cockpit, Audi’s MMI infotainment system now features a restructured menu system that puts prescience on a connected smartphone. Like before, inputs into the MMI system happen through the rotary dial on the center console. the dial features a touch-sensitive touchpad for entering character and for multi-finger gestures like pinching. This works well for zooming on the maps screen. Toggle switches beside the dial offer quick sections for MMI menu screens like audio, navigation, and phone settings.

In all, the interior changes focus more on technology and comfort than just being different. The A3 already had a welcoming cabin, so its no wonder why Audi chose to concentrate on its in-dash tech.

Drivetrain

Audi is continuing to offer a wide range of powertrain options for the A3, including the hybrid e-tron and alternative fuel g-tron. For the conventional A3s, there are a total of six engine options, though market location and regulations will determine what engines are offered where. The six engines include three gasoline and three diesel units with power output ranging from 110 horsepower to 190 horsepower. All A3 models fulfill the EU6 standard.

Starting off, the 1.0-liter TFSI three-cylinder is all-new to the A3. The engine makes 115 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm. This acts as the A3’s entry-level engine. The 1.4-liter TFSI COD is a four-cylinder that uses cylinder-on-demand technology, effectively making it a two-cylinder engine when full power isn’t needed. When full power is required, the engine can kick out 150 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.

Topping the list of gasoline engines is Audi’s all-new 2.0-liter TFSI, which is said to have an innovative combustion process. The tech apparently works well, as the four-cylinder provides 190 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque.

Starting the diesel lineup is Audi’s 1.6-liter TDI. The engine makes 110 horsepower and can be had with either the six-speed manual or the new S tronic seven-speed dual clutch. Rounding out the powertrain lineup are two versions of the 2.0-liter TDI. The two power ratings include a 150-horsepower and 251-pound-feet of torque tune for the base setup and a 184-horsepower and 280-pound-feet of torque tune for the spicier version. Like the 1.6-liter TDI, the 2.0-liter can be had with either manual or dual clutch transmissions.

Those wanting quattro all-wheel drive must choose the 2.0-liter TFSI with the 190-horse rating. All other models come standard with FWD. Speaking of transmissions, the seven-speed dual clutch replaces the previous six-speed dual clutch.

Safety & Technology

The 2017 A3 includes a new crop of safety features and driver’s aids. They include active lane assist; pre sense front with including predictive pedestrian protection;

traffic jam assist, which works together with Audi adaptive cruise control and its Stop & Go feature. The adaptive cruise control and Stop & Go function allow the car to keep up with traffic on well-paved roads at speeds up to 40.4 mph. This allows the driver to let the car do the driving – at least the throttle and brake. Should the driver not respond to warning messages about idle steering activity, the Emergency Assist function will bring the car to a stop.

The A3 also now offers rear cross-traffic assist. It wars the driver about cross traffic when backing out of a parking space.

Prices

The new A3 will go on sale in May of 2016 with deliveries beginning in the summer. Germany will the first to receive the A3, witch will carry a starting price of EUR 23,300 for the 1.0-liter TFSI model. That translates to $26,500 in U.S. dollars at current exchange rates.

Competition

Mini Cooper Hardtop 2-Door

The Mini Cooper has been around for a while, never straying too far from its original design the debuted back in 2001 – itself a retro recall back to the original Morris Mini. The current car does have a more ergonomically designed cabin with better creature comforts, along with modern navigation and (thankfully) a gauge cluster behind the steering wheel.

The Mini offers three engine options, including a 1.5-liter four-cylinder, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and a 1.5-liter inline three-cylinder diesel. While the diesel isn’t offered in the U.S. the other two engines are. Horsepower ranges from 136 in the base engine to 192 in the 2.0-liter within the Cooper S. The diesel’s selling point is its 199 pound-feet of torque. All three engines come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automatic is optional.

Prices start right around $20,000 for a U.S.-spec version, increasing to roughly $25,000.

Read our full review on the Mini Cooper here.

Conclusion

The updates to the 2017 Audi A3 are a welcomed addition to a car that was already well equipped. The new virtual cockpit and improved MMI system should attracted all the technophiles, us included. The updated front and rear ends give the A3 a smart new look that distinguishes it from older A3 models while pushing Audi design into the next decade.

Speaking of which, we expect to see the next A3 sometime around 2020. This will mark the fourth generation of the car and will likely usher in even more technology and active safety equipment. Until then, there’s plenty to enjoy with the 2017 update.