Audi’s baby-sedan has just gone under the knife. The A3 facelift is all set to hit Audi India showrooms in a few weeks, and while this is just a mid-life refresh, the changes are quite extensive.
On the outside, the updates don’t seem all that evident, but the compact luxury car now gets a new hexagonal front grille that’s flanked by a new set of full-LED headlights. The 16-inch alloy wheels sport a slightly new and sportier design, while the tail lights now get updated internals, including dynamic turn indicators.
Step into the cabin and you’re welcomed by a new three-spoke steering wheel that feels nicer to grip and Audi has also thrown in a new frameless interior rearview mirror. The retractable Multi-Media Interface (MMI) infotainment system now gets a more appealing display and the A3 also benefits from an intuitive voice command system.
The diesel engine is still the same 2.0-litre TDI unit that makes 143PS of power and 320Nm of torque. It comes paired with a six-speed DSG automatic transmission and offers a claimed 0-100kmph time of 8.7 seconds in the A3, with the fuel-efficiency rated at 20.38kmpl.
The petrol, on the other hand, is a smaller and new, 1.4-litre mill that makes 150PS and 250Nm. Power is down 30PS when compared to the old 1.8-litre engine, and its 0-100kmph time of 8.2 seconds is around a second slower. However, it delivers a claimed fuel efficiency of 19.20kmpl – nearly 3kmpl more than the outgoing motor!
We take the A3 for a coastal spin to see if Audi’s really offering something special.
