Audi debuts redesigned five-door A3 Sportback

AutoBlog: Audi debuts redesigned five-door A3 Sportback

2013 Audi A3 Sportback

The five-door version of the Audi A3, the A3 Sportback, has been revealed, and as with its three-door sibling, it won't be coming to the U.S. We Americans can look forward to our own sedan version of the same car. The third-generation A3 is only a smidge larger dimensionally than the outgoing Sportback, but has dropped up to 198 pounds compared to the previous hatch thanks to increased use of high- and ultra-strength steel and aluminum parts like the hood and fenders.

With the 1.4-liter TFSI engine it weighs just 2,657 pounds. The biggest measurement growth is in the wheelbase: the front axle has been moved forward 1.57 inches and the wheelbase overall has grown by 2.28 inches. Check out the press release below for a heap of details..

All that extra space gets passengers more head- and legroom, and extra cubic feet for loot. The rear area can hold 13.42 cubic feet of goods with the rear seats up, expanding more than threefold to 43.08 cubic feet with the seats folded down into a flat cargo floor.

The space under the hood will be filled with one of three engines at launch: a 1.6-liter TDI said to return almost 62 U.S. mpg, a 1.4-liter TFSI with 122 horsepower and 148 pound-feet, and a 1.8-liter TFSI with 180 hp and 184 lb-ft. Coming later will be a 1.2-liter TFSI with 105 hp and 129 lb-ft, a more powerful 1.4-liter TSFI with 140 hp and 184 lb-ft and cylinder deactivation, and two 2.0-liter TDIs, one with 150 hp and 236 pound-feet and another 2.0-liter TDI with 184 hp and 280 lb-ft. Also on the way next year are a TCNG engine powered by Audi's proprietary e-gas and an e-tron electric Sportback in 2014. Shifting for all of them is handled by a six-speed manual, with a six- or seven-speed S-tronic optional.

Those who can buy it will be able to choose from four trims: Attraction, Ambition and Ambiente, with the S line sport package available for the Ambition trim, and 13 colors plus a high-gloss exterior package.

PRESS RELEASE:

The new Audi A3 Sportback

- More functional than ever with five doors and 1,220 liters of luggage capacity
- Audi ultra and advanced engine technology for low CO2 emissions
- Driver assistance systems from the full-size class

Ingolstadt, 2012-09-20 -- Sporty, versatile and progressive – Audi presents the new A3 Sportback. The compact five-door model with the spacious luggage compartment breaks new ground in terms of vehicle weight thanks to ultra lightweight construction technology. The engines are powerful and efficient. The infotainment and driver assistance systems available in the new A3 Sportback set new standards in the premium compact segment.

Exterior design
The new Audi A3 Sportback is long and lean. While the length (4,310 millimeters [14.14 ft]), width (1,780 millimeters [5.84 ft]) and height (1,425 millimeters [4.68 ft]) are only slightly greater than on the previous model, the wheelbase now measures 2,636 millimeters (8.65 ft), an increase of 58 millimeters (2.28 in). This makes the five-door model 35 millimeters (1.38 in) longer between the axles than the three-door version.

The design with the three side windows is taut and concentrated, with every detail precise and expressive. The distinguishing element at the front of the vehicle is the distinctive, stone gray single-frame grille with the angled upper corners. The lower edges of the flat headlights taper off at an angle. Audi offers optional xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, with LED headlights to follow somewhat later. Large air intakes up front hint at the power of the engines.

The sharply defined tornado line articulates the flank below the windows and evokes a powerful shoulder. The dynamic line above the side sills runs upward toward the rear.

The tautly curved surfaces, the large, precisely defined wheel wells, the relatively narrow, sharply sloping C pillars and the understated roof spoiler underscore the sporty nature of the A3 Sportback, as do the exterior mirrors, which as with a sports car are perched on the doors.

The rear is extremely sculptured, and the split rear lights underscore its width. Audi offers LED rear lights in combination with the xenon plus headlights; LED light conductors appear to form a continuous arch. The adaptive brake light, which pulses at high frequency during hard braking, is standard. A sharp crease sets off the diffuser. Depending on the engine, the exhaust system terminates in one or two tailpipes on the left side of the car.

Audi offers the A3 Sportback in a choice of 13 colors – three solid finishes, eight metallic finishes and two pearl-effect finishes. The optional high-gloss package adds accents around the windows (standard with the Ambiente trim line). Particularly sporty customers can choose the S line sport package or S line exterior package. Read entire presser here.. http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/20/audi-debuts-redesigned-five-door-a3-sportback/