This is the new Audi A3, which slots below the Audi A3 in the company’s product range, as the A4 has become quite a large car now. For now, Audi is still calling it a technical study, but undoubtedly this will go into production.
As this car has been called a “notchback sedan” by Audi rather than a full fledged sedan, many were worried that it would end up looking awkward and stubby but the end result you see here is actually quite handsome, with a coupe-like roofline helping to smoothen out the side profile. It measures 4,440mm long, 1,840mm wide and 1,390mm tall, with a 2,630mm wheelbase. It weighs about 1,540kg.
The Audi single frame grille at the front is made of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic. The headlamps are powered by LED, as expected from all modern Audis launched in the past 2 years.
The concept is powered by a 2.5 litre inline-5 engine making 408 horsepower and 500Nm of torque between 1,600rpm to 5,300rpm, which is some very tasty specifications and it would be awesome if a compact and explosive RS3 sedan made it into production to compete with the 1-Series M Coupe. The engine is mated to a 7-speed S-Tronic DSG transmission, sending power to all four wheels via quattro permanent all wheel drive. 100km/h is reached in just 4.1 seconds.
Audi has chosen to give the A3 sedan a rather bright and light interior which seems to clash with the aggressive exterior and engine specifications. The MMI system is full-fledged, complete with connectivity features like using a UMTS connection to turn your car into a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Look after the jump for a small photo gallery.
[zenphotopress number=999 album=2007]
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Amazing! That power in such a small car? Really blows my minds off.
reasonable weight. if only BMW would engineer something like this. is the chassis based on the golf?
Yeah, it’s Golf-based. Transverse mounted engine rather than longitudinal.
http://paultan.org/photo/index.php?album=Audi-A3-Sedan-Concept&image=G110039_large.jpg
rival for M3
the 2nd audi that i really love after R8~
=)
Exterior is ultra modern, interior is way too retro. Love the specs tho!
I stand corrected then. It wasn’t as stubby as I though it would be.
Does look a lot like the B5 Audi A4 in side profile.
BMW could certainly learn from this for the next generation 1-Series Coupe.
Love the proportions and the minimalist dashboard!
Somehow I felt this car is a bit big in size..
I love the fact that even with a downsized engine it still makes a lot of power. Good for our market perhaps if ever. :P
no more jet-fighter cockpit? boring man…n the exterior still the same old audi style..boring also lol…
wow…cool…definitely i will take this instead of M1…
i feel like i wanna buy this car rightaway…
even a small sedan weights 1.5 tons nowaday.. sigh.. that’s a nice car by the way=)
Simple yet stylish.
This is a looker! It’s pretty on the outside but it’s ‘mean’ on the inside!! Hope that the production is as close as this concept. This is for sure going to be my 1st audi! I’m saving $$$ now. LOVE IT!!!!!!