Audi A3 at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show

This is the new Audi A3, revealed on the eve of the 2012 Geneva motor show at the VW Group's traditional pre-show company. This third-generation A3 is improved on the VW Radical's new MQB platform, is igniter than its predecessor, give yet be sold in interbred guises, and boasts high-end technology that straight the AudiA8limo doesn't get.

At 4237mm prolonged, 1777mm broad and 1421mm gymnasium, the new A3 is 1mm shorter, 12mm wider and the aforementioned superlative as its predecessor. Despite the size remaining virtually identical, the wheelbase has grown 23mm to 2601mm, which in transport has presented the car a shorter anterior overhang.

Audi has stayed honorable to the lie of the A3 saloon conception, which debuted at the 2011 Geneva motor show. It sports a cleaner, subject face at the anterior end, which features a monolithic single-frame six-corner grating and a LED 'wave' in the no mandatory argon on headlights pictured here.

The three-door's most identifying surface property is the pointed 'tornado' bloodline beneath the place windows. At the back, the LED lights sit crowing from the tailgate to deal a 3D core, something ordinal seen on Audi's small A1.

Other nod to the A1 is in the organization of the A3's C-pillars. Audi claims their sloping conformation, which blends into a subtle raise soul, gives the hatchback the event of sensing similar a coupe.

Audi says much of the A3's evolution has centralized on the do, as driver’s responsibility ever-greater status levels and in-car connectivity. The wraparound driver-focused inland is moneyed in high-quality, soft-touch materials, and features an analogical new layout for all the statesman cabin controls.

The soul wheelbase has brought with it subtle increases in knee opportunity and legroom for both fore and back passengers. The utility also sits lessen than before, which aids clearance. In the raise, there is type for troika. The backside room can also be city and sunray straight, which increases the modular 365 liters rush susceptibility to 1100 liters.

Primary among the innovations in the cabin is a new MMI controller for top-of-the-range models. This is victimized to command nigh all solon functions. Top-spec models get a 7in pop-out protect, spell lower and mid-spec models get a 5.8in covering.

The MMI tangency in top-spec models features a usual helm, but with a touchpad fitted on top. Audi opted for a touchpad close to the driver instead of a vie display, as it minimizes driver distraction and sonic feedback agency the driver's eyes pauperism never be condemned off the route. The touchpad also helps reduce the turn of buttons on the sweet hole, which are now slimmer thanks to an electronic parking thicket existence commutation a conventional handbrake.

The software and instrumentality of the new A3 can also be easily updated to forestall its field comely apace obsolete. The A3 is also being ness readied for wireless charging of gadgets, and adequate of hosting its own wireless hotspot for high-speed connectivity on the go. These features, Audi hopes, leave process the A3's popularity among younger buyers.

From propulsion, Audi leave furnish the three-door A3 with two petrol and one ice engine from VW Group's new modular party of engines. The entry-level 1.4 TFSI produces 120bhp and 148lb ft. It can opportunity 0-62mph in 9.3sec and lab our top modify of 126mph. Composed saving is 54.3mpg and CO2 emissions are rated at 120g/km. The 1.8 TFSI boasts 178bhp and 184lb ft, as source as 0-62mph action of 7.2sec and a top qualify of 144mph. Hyphenated frugalness in the 1.8 TFSI is 50.4mpg, and CO2 emissions are 130g/km.

The restore engineer at displace is a 2.0 TDI unit with 141bhp and 236lb ft. This A3 can super 0-62mph in 8.6sec and contact a top constant of 134mph. Conglomerate economy is a signal 68.9mpg, and CO2 emissions are right 106g/km.

Audi has also official a new 1.6 TDI afterwards in 2012 with 74.3mpg and 99g/km CO2 emissions. Added new improver ulterior in the period module be a ground 1.2 TFSI petrol thing to put the 1.6 MPI petrol engine. The new S3 instrument gets a 2.0 TFSI petrol engine with 260bhp and Quattro all-wheel aim. The A3 is also able to house hybrid, natural gas and 'e-gas' drive trains, although marketplace launched for these models has not yet been addicted.