Audi A3 facelift launch this quarter

Audi A3 is the entry-level sedan in the Audi scheme of things for India. The sedan had undergone a facelift internationally in 2016 and is all set to arrive in India soon. Internationally available in four body styles, the India-bound A3 sedan comes with cosmetic updates as well as a revised powertrain in the first quarter of 2017.

Audi’s bespoke Matrix headlights could be offered as an option in the compact sedan of the Audi family in India, whereas the newly designed Xenon-LED lights will come as standard. The A3 facelift also has a revised front grille with larger air intakes, resembling the bigger A4. Except for the tweaks to the LED tail lamps, there is a little difference compared to the current A3 sold in India.

On the inside, not much has changed but the most striking difference is the new flat-bottom steering wheel and the introduction of the Audi Virtual Cockpit. A 12.3-inch TFT screen replaces the instrument cluster whereas the 7-inch centre-mounted MMI screen has been revised as well.

The major changes are hidden under the hood. The new A3 will have a smaller 1.4-litre TFSI engine developing about 150bhp of power like it does in the Audi A4 and will replace the powerful 180hp 1.8-litre unit. But with the new gearbox, you wouldn’t notice the difference. For the diesel engine, The A3 might get the new 2.0-litre diesel mill after the A4. The diesel engine will be mated to the seven-speed DSG unit and will power the front wheels.

After the facelifted A3 sedan, the A3 Cabriolet is likely to follow later. Prices are expected to be marginally higher than the current A3 at about Rs 32 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. When launched in India, the A3 will continue to face competition from the likes of Mercedes-Benz CLA, A-Class and recently facelifted Volvo V40.