No sooner than the facelifted Audi A3 Sedan make an appearance before our European spy photographers has the hatch version joined in the fun – like the four-door, the three- and five-door (Sportback) models will get revised looks to better fit with the rest of Audi’s new lineup of vehicles.
As with the sedan, the hatch gets sharper headlights (inspired by the new B9 A4) along with a flatter singleframe front grille. However, Audi appears to be looking to further differentiate the hatch and sedan, if this mule – likely equipped with an S line kit, judging by the extended side skirts – is indicative of other A3 hatch models.
At the front sits a new U-shaped air inlet that frames the bottom part of the grille – as a result, it now looks very happy indeed, with an almost gurning smile. The rear bumper gets a more aggressive-looking diffuser-like insert as well, and we can also expect new tail light graphics when it reaches the market, as is typically the case for facelifted Audis.
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.
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I honestly think they should start testing prototypes/pre-production cars in extremely hot weather condition and not just snow.
No wonder European cars are not performing up to standard in hotter countries.
The pre-production Q7s were tested in the Namibian desert and signed off by journalists. Many articles and YouTube videos covered the event.