Audi A3 Sedan Concept Headed to Geneva

We’re not sure the U.S. needs an Audi sedan smaller than the A4 — you can weigh in on that in the comments below — but the rest of the world might. The company will unveil a concept version of an A3 sedan at the Geneva International Motor Show next week.
 
The A3 hatchback has been on sale stateside since 2005 but has seen only lukewarm sales because of a relatively high price tag and small interior space. Would a sedan version be any more welcome? Maybe if it has the concept’s 408-horsepower turbocharged engine and Quattro all-wheel drive.
 
While there likely won’t be much said for the A3’s future in the U.S., we’d hazard a guess the next-generation hatchback and sedan will look a lot like this concept.

Recall Alert: Audi A3, TT, TT Roadster

Audi is recalling 2,500 A3s, TTs and TT roadsters from the 2009 model year equipped with S tronic transmissions. A very small number of 2010 A3s are also included. The recall involves models built between September 2008 and August 2009.  

The recall is due to a fault in the transmission that leads to warning lights going off in the dashboard. In severe cases, the transmission will shift into neutral while driving. Audi will inspect and repair all models included in the recall.

Audi will begin contacting owners over the next few weeks, but you can contact Audi’s help line at 1-800-253-AUDI (2834).

2009|Audi|A3

2009|Audi|TT

2010 Audi A3 2.0 TDI at 2009 Detroit Auto Show

• Competes with: Mini Cooper, Volvo C30
• Looks like: Your everyday A3 hatchback
• Drivetrain: 140-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with six-speed automatic; front-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: First quarter of 2010

German luxury automakers Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have all been announcing diesel-powered models for the U.S., but many of the models getting diesel engines have been larger cars and SUVs. Now, Audi has added a diesel engine to its smallest model for 2010: the A3 2.0 TDI.

The A3 2.0 TDI hatchback is powered by a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine that uses common-rail direct injection. It makes 140 hp, but as is customary with diesels it produces a whopping amount of torque; the diesel is rated at 236 pounds-feet, which is nearly as much as Audi's 3.2-liter V-6 gas engine produces. The diesel pairs with Audi's S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Official fuel-economy figures haven't been released, but Audi says the A3 2.0 TDI should get more than 40 mpg on the highway. Pricing hasn't been announced either, but Audi says it will be released around the time the car goes on sale in the first quarter of next year.

As long as the cost of diesel fuel stays higher than gasoline — lessening the economic impact of a diesel engine's efficiency gains — it's going to be difficult to get buyers to consider diesel cars and their expensive engine technology when gasoline equivalents are available. As we saw in 2008, however, fuel prices can change rapidly over a short period of time, and the market could be quite different a year from now when the A3 2.0 TDI hits dealerships.More photos below.

2009 Audi A3 Gets a Nose Job

When a new or revised model gets announced, we usually list bullet points on what it competes with, what it looks like, what’s under the hood, etc. Those bullet points kind of shout to the reader “Hey, look at me, I’ve been updated or introduced!” The 2009 Audi A3, however, gets some … new headlights and taillights. 

We’re intentionally downplaying the model-year changes in part because Audi themselves only released one photo for the U.S., which doesn’t show the rear of the car at all. That is, in fact, a portion that they say they’ve changed. Nor do we get a look at the “fine-tuned” interior which actually remains the same, except for new coloring and “decorative inlays.”

Engine choices also remain the same with the 200-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder or 250-hp, 3.2-liter six-cylinder with Quattro all-wheel drive. Quattro will be an option on the 2.0 models. There is a new dual-clutch transmission teamed to the larger engine. A new option is Audi’s magnetic ride system, which allows drivers to change the suspension for sport or comfort. This would also raise the price of what many consider an already pricey little luxury vehicle; it starts just under $26,000. But hey, you get LED headlamps now.

Prices for 2009 haven’t been announced, but it will go on sale this fall. We don’t expect a big price bump. Check out photos of how the 2009 compares to the 2008 below.