The new Audi A3 shows its first images

The first images of the new Audi A3 have already been revealed, the fourth generation of the compact that will make a major technological leap

The fourth generation of the Audi A3 is already a reality, and the brand with the four rings will use the Geneva Motor Show, which will take place from 5 to 15 March, to present its new compact. We will therefore have to wait a month to see it in person, although the brand has already shown the first images and shared some details.

The new Audi A3 will share the same platform as its recently presented siblings, the Volkswagen Golf 2020 and the Seat León 2020, two models we have recently compared.

A continuous design

Its changes will be numerous, although its design change will not be a revolution, as the first images of a camouflaged prototype shared by the brand already give us an idea. At the front, there will be new headlights with the same shapes as the Audi e-tron we tested a few months ago. At the rear we can see more rounded shapes with horizontally arranged lights that adopt the light signature of the brand’s latest models.

In addition, the new generation of the compact will make an enormous technological leap in every respect, so we will probably have a plug-in hybrid option with the same powertrain as the Seat León eHybrid.

For now, the brand with the four rings has wanted to explain the technology available to the driver in the new Audi A3: here it is.

This is the technology arsenal of the new Audi A3

In this first instalment, Audi has wanted to tell us about all the electronics available in the new A3 to achieve optimal behaviour in any situation. To do this, we will have the Audi Drive Select system, a device that will allow adjusting the operation of traction, stability control and suspension to achieve optimal dynamics at all times.

How does the quattro traction of the new Audi A3 work?

We have already tested several models from the brand with quattro traction, such as the Audi TT Roadster 20th Anniversary. However, we have rarely stopped to see how it works, so we are going to tell you.

If you choose a version of the new Audi A3 with this all-wheel-drive system, the clutch will be placed at the end of the driveshaft to favour a correct weight distribution. Inside, there are oil-bathed discs arranged in pairs: one is attached to the clutch and rotates with the driveshaft, and the other is coupled to the rear differential.

The brand with the four rings has reworked the operation of the electronic torque distribution control to adapt it to the new Audi A3 and link it to the Audi Drive Select dynamic driving system. This device analyses the condition of the road as well as the driving conditions and style, collecting data to calculate the ideal torque distribution at every moment.

This system is able to send power to both axles depending on the needs. Under normal conditions, most of the power is transferred to the front axle, although when it loses traction, power is supplied to the rear to increase traction capacity.

This is done by means of an electric pump that can apply up to 44 bar of pressure to the clutch discs. The more pressure this pump exerts, the more power is transferred to the rear wheels.

And the electronic stability control?

The electronic stability control is in charge of keeping the car composed even in the most compromising situations. The star here will be selective torque control, a system capable of lightly braking the wheels on the inside of the bend to pull the new Audi A3 into the apex.

This is directly linked to the quattro traction system, so its response can vary depending on the driver’s needs. Therefore, the electronic stability control will be working at all times to read the conditions so that none of the wheels lose traction.

In addition, this system can be partially disabled by activating Sport mode, so the driver can slightly unsettle the rear end for greater driving enjoyment. If it is switched off completely, the rear axle will be free and it will be easy to make it slide, so the fun is guaranteed.

Adaptive suspension will also play a key role

The adaptive suspension of the new Audi A3 will allow the car to have a two-sided behaviour: a great ride comfort when we need it and greater firmness when we require a more sporty behaviour.

For this reason, the driver can choose between three configurations via the Audi Drive Select system: Comfort, Auto and Dynamic. While the first is aimed at offering greater comfort with a softer suspension setup, the last offers greater firmness to reduce body roll and make the car more precise. In between we have the Auto programme, which will read road conditions to adjust it automatically.

We will have to wait just over a month to learn more about the new Audi A3, although everything suggests it will remain a very tough rival for models such as the Mercedes-Benz A-Class or the BMW 1 Series.

Technical specifications of this car

SedanAudi A337 versions · from 34,010 €