The Audi A3 hatchback has always been a favourite among Irish drivers and the all-new A3 Saloon is set to make an even bigger impact in the country for the German automaker.
Recently, JOE was invited out to the O2 for the official unveiling of the new Audi A3 Saloon and it certainly made a good first impression with the journalists in attendance. It has everything the hatchback version has, with just a little bit more in the boot.
Its design is a cross between the classic three-box concept and the coupé philosophy. The “tornado line”, as Audi call it, design element forms a distinct light-refracting edge that runs over the entire side of the car giving it a nice sporty feel. The four-door car has a 2.64 metre long wheelbase and an overall length of 4.46 metres.
At the front, the bonnet contours, bumper and air intake design and the single frame grille have been redefined for the newcomer, while at the rear, lights with broad and low cuts emphasise the car’s horizontal lines and an integrated ‘kicked-up’ boot spoiler also helps to set off the sports feel.
Pricing will be confirmed in July this year, but you can expect it to start somewhere around the €30,000-€31,000 mark (but you can add a couple of grand on if you want all the fancy extras). As for spec, the new A3 Saloon will come in 1.4L and 1.8L petrol versions along with 1.6L and 2.0L diesel versions.
It will be interesting to see how well the A3 sells considering it won’t have any competition in the A-segment, but it might also take some sales away from the A4. So we’ll have to wait and see what happens.
There will also be an S3 version brought out soon after the A3 goes on sale and the 2.0 TFSI S3 will come with 300 horses under the hood. We can’t wait to see/hear it.
All in all, the new A3 looks class, it feels great on the inside and all that’s left to do now is to give one a test drive later in the year.
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