New concept Audi A3 - WOW

opinion guy

Unveiled at the Geneva motorshow new A3 concept car

http://www.audi.co.uk/audi-innovation/concept-cars/a3-concept-car.html

Audi wrote:

The A3 concept has a five-cylinder engine under the bonnet that combines the Audi technologies of turbocharging and FSI petrol direction injection. It develops a hefty 408PS from a displacement of 2.5 litres. Its peak torque of 500 Nm is available over a broad rev range - between 1,600 and 5,300 rpm. The five-cylinder powerplant unleashes a truly evocative sound, reminiscent of the Audi sound of the 1980s and the huge motorsport successes of that period. Its performance is a complete homage to tradition: The A3 concept catapults from a standstill to 62mph in just 4.1 seconds, and its electronically governed top speed of 155 mph is merely the official figure.

I WANT!

colm_mcm

Isn't an a3 saloon an a4?

squod

One sportscar dies as another is born.

According to Gayu Eusegi, head of global product development for Mitsubishi, the Lancer Evolution X will be the last Evo the Japanese automaker ever builds. Eusegi says the move is part of a shift in strategy to put the company's product focus and ethos on leadership in EV technology.

I'll miss the evo more than I'll want the Audi. Although at this rate I'll never own either.

Matt Simis

colm_mcm wrote: »

Isn't an a3 saloon an a4?

The A3 even with a jutty out boot is still a much smaller and diff platform car to the A4.
Also Audi's goal is to provide the option of every conceivable car configuration in every situation, much like Starbucks' approach to gaining marketshare.

Seth Brundle

Aah Jaysus - no fog lights

copacetic

Matt Simis wrote: »

The A3 even with a jutty out boot is still a much smaller and diff platform car to the A4.
Also Audi's goal is to provide the option of every conceivable car configuration in every situation, much like Starbucks' approach to gaining marketshare.

appears to be a bit more than a jutty out boot. looks closer to the size of the old a4.

Matt Simis

copacetic wrote: »

appears to be a bit more than a jutty out boot. looks closer to the size of the old a4.
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Ok I admit now Im confused too!

johnos1984

I wouldn't worry it will look like a brick with a black hitler tach on the front and a nice interior when it arrives.

It will most likely have a 1.6tdi 'detuned' especially for the Irish market and maybe a 1.2tsi for the petrol heads...........or am I just being pessimistic

whippet

Sure isn't it just a more expensive Golf or Leon .... probably Octavia judging by

Concept that won't look like production model

copacetic

could be an audi 'jetta'. personally really like the look of it, the 'sportback' in that size could be a nice unit. Interior looks well as always with audi.

.Longshanks.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Isn't an a3 saloon an a4?

or a jetta/bora?


Edit
Grrr - copacetic got there before me!

bazz26

Will there be a "felt" spec?

VolvoMan

How to make an A3 saloon: Get one B8 A4, put it into a photocopier and press 80%.

Alanstrainor

bazz26 wrote: »

Will there be a "felt" spec?

Especially for the Irish market. It'll come with an 8 track too i hear.

mickdw

VolvoMan wrote: »

How to make an A3 saloon: Get one B8 A4, put it into a photocopier and press 80%.

That old joke is pretty old. Are you saying that the current A4 looks like this concept A3? I certainly dont think so.

bazz26

To be fair it doesn't look that bad, for a saloon. Granted it is still a concept but the lines are clean and simple, probably enough to transition most of it from concept to production. Interior would obviously be toned down. There would definately be a market for it in this country if it was reasonably priced. If it were selling from around €24k it would probably mean another nail in the coffen for the Seat Exeo which is hardly the sales success Seat had hoped for.

unkel

Looks very grown up! Hard to tell without comparison but it looks more A4 size than A3.

VolvoMan

mickdw wrote: »

That old joke is pretty old.

Well I think Audi's design philosophy is getting pretty old. Each successive generation is just the same basic design with maybe a few curves or creases thrown in so it won't be mistaken for the old model.

Zubeneschamali

You can predict the reviews already:

"The new A3 is beautifully made out of quality materials, but the ride is sh!te, the steering is wooden and it understeers like a hippo on rollerskates."

RedorDead

VolvoMan wrote: »

How to make an A3 saloon: Get one B8 A4, put it into a photocopier and press 80%.

Who has been reading Autocar too much? :rolleyes:

Put the cars side by side and compare. They look nothing alike.

cnocbui

kbannon wrote: »

Aah Jaysus - no fog lights

Yes, isn't it excellent?

It will prevent Audi drivers from going around with TWO sets of lights permanently on.

Tragedy

It looks like a slightly rounder A4...

johnos1984

Tragedy wrote: »

It looks like a slightly rounder A4...

I've had that said about myself