SPYSHOTS: Audi A3 Sedan facelift gets sharper look

It may not look like it, considering that it just went on sale here last year, but the Audi A3 Sedan is now two years old (its hatchback sibling is even older, having made its world premiere as far back as the 2012 Geneva Motor Show). In the intervening years, Ingolstadt has been working on a facelift to sharpen the looks of the likeable small premium sedan, as these photos from our European spies show.

Subtle changes to the front of the A3 bring it closer in line to the newer cars in Audi’s stable – the singleframe grille is now flatter and more hexagonal, while the headlights have been given a more A4-style shape. The black rear valence insert has also been redesigned, and although the bulb-type tail lights on this car (ours are LEDs and look different) are the same as before, we expect the real car to have new internal graphics.

Expect revisions in the cabin to include the Audi virtual cockpit digital instrument cluster, as seen on the TT, Q7 and A4. Under the bonnet, the A3 will reportedly gain a new 1.8 turbo petrol engine with cylinder deactivation technology, rumoured to be pushing out 190 PS compared to the current 1.8 TFSI’s 180 PS.

The facelifted Audi A3 Sedan is going to face some serious competition when it debuts sometime next year, possibly at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in March. Mercedes-Benz is working on a similar update for the CLA, while BMW will be fielding its first front-wheel drive small sedan, and has already previewed it with the Concept Compact Sedan.

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