The new Audi A3 Sedan is revealed, now with a more aggressive look and more efficient engines

Audi took the lead over its main rivals by presenting the Sedan bodywork for one of its most successful models, the A3, managing to revolutionise the market and prompting the rest to follow the same formula. The fourth generation of the Audi A3 has been long awaited, but it is finally on sale in Spain. This has meant that the A3 Sedan has also been delayed compared with its rivals, but this now has a remedy: its characteristics and price have finally been announced and revealed to us.

Broadly speaking, the new Audi A3 Sedan has a greater presence than its predecessor, as its dimensions are larger: it grows by 40 mm in length to reach 4,500 mm, while the width increases by 20 mm to 1,820 mm and the height is now 10 mm greater. This increase in dimensions, together with a lower driving position, means that interior space has improved, especially in the front seats, with more elbow room and 2 cm more headroom in the cabin. What has not changed is the capacity of the boot, which remains at the same 425 litres as its predecessor.

As far as the exterior design is concerned, the front end is similar to its sibling, the A3 Sportback, but there are design differences in the side profile due to the use of a different bodywork. On the A3 Sportback the bodywork line rises towards the rear light group at the height of the rear wheel arches, but on the A3 Sedan this does not happen: the line stays straight all the way to the rear bumper, which emphasises its greater length and gives it a more refined appearance. Slightly higher up, the roofline begins to slope down from the B-pillar, giving it a coupé-like look and adding a sportier character, and it ends in a discreet spoiler on the boot lid, which can optionally be specified in carbon fibre.

In addition, compared with its predecessor, the more carefully refined design of the new Audi A3 Sedan helps to improve its aerodynamics. Engineers at Audi achieved this by making the rear section taller and fitting a larger diffuser, but the Singleframe grille, which houses two electronically controlled shutter modules that regulate airflow, as well as the lower air-deflecting trim and the new design applied to the wing mirrors, also contribute.

As with its Sportback sibling, the new A3 Sedan has a similar interior equipped with a large array of technology. Notable features include the 10.1-inch screen on the dashboard for the MMI touch system and the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, which can optionally be replaced by the 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit. To all this we can add the new infotainment system update, the Car-to-X services that form part of the Audi Connect functions, the Audi smartphone interface, and the various networked driver-assistance systems.

In terms of mechanicals, the A3 Sedan follows the same path as the Sportback variant, offering both a TFSI and a TDI engine from launch. The petrol version is powered by the 35 TFSI engine, with a 1,500 cc displacement and 150 CV of power, which can be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed S tronic automatic. The latter also benefits from the “Audi cylinder on demand” cylinder deactivation technology and the 48-volt mild-hybrid system. On the diesel side, the 2.0 TDI engine, also producing 150 CV, is likewise paired with the seven-speed S tronic automatic.

After launch, another diesel engine will also join the range: a 2.0 TDI that in this case delivers 116 CV and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. This diesel will be joined by a new petrol option, the three-cylinder 1.0 TFSI producing 110 CV, which, like the other TFSI engine, can be fitted with either the manual gearbox or the S tronic automatic, with the 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

The new Audi A3 Sedan will begin its pre-sale phase at the end of this month, with deliveries starting in the summer. To give an idea of pricing, Audi has announced that in Spain the A3 Sedan with the 35 TFSI engine will start from 29,970 euros, while the three-cylinder 30 TFSI version starts from 28,670 euros.

Technical specifications of this car

SedanAudi A337 versions · from 34,010 €