News: Audi Reveals A3 Sportback and An S3!

Ever wondered about a car that virtually changes little, like your Aunt Matilda that grew a few strands of grey hair and had a few botox jobs done on her cheeks? That's what the next A3 looks like. It matures, looks like its predecessor yet has a bit of a edgier flair than its old self.

Following footsteps of the Quattro concept being boxier and edgier, the new A3 also has 5 doors now and an S version is revealed too. The design may be boxier outside but inside, the designers decided that their cars were a bit too business like and added round air vents. It may be odd at first but it grows on me. In fact, I like the new interior. Anyway, the 5-door version is slightly longer than its three door version of itself - 73 mm to be specific. Wheelbase is also increased giving more millimeters of legroom space for the rear passengers. Boot space is also increased slightly at 380 liters.

Thanks to the MQB platform and despite the size increase, the new A3 is up to 90 kg lighter than before. Three engines are available for a start; a 1.4l TFSI producing 120 bhp, a 1.8 TFSI pushing 178 bhp and a 2.0l TDI generating 149 bhp. More engines will follow suit like the 1.2 TSI seen in the Beetle and the rest of the Volkswagen derived vehicles and hybrid but that'll be another story. A six-speed manual comes as standard while the S-tronic transmission is available with a bit more cash. Quattro all-wheel-drive system is also in the options list but that's only available for the upper end models which means the 1.4l TSI will be missing in action. 

There's an S3 coming too and it'll get an updated and lighter 2.0l TFSI engine capable of 296 bhp and 380 Nm of torque. Also similar, the S3 gets a six-speed manual and an S-Tronic transmission is available as an option. Bet you'd be pissed to know that the new electronic damping system and brakes are also on the options list. With the S-Tronic transmission, 0 to 100 km/h is done in just 5.1 seconds. The manual gets it done in 5.4 seconds, 0.3 seconds slower but you won't notice the difference unless you're Simon Cowell. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h and claims that the new S3 can return 14.5 km per litre of petrol. A sports suspension is fitted which makes it lower than the A3 and makes it more capable around corners.

It is also lighter too - 60 kg difference or an average American woman depending on which way you look at it and houses the S package bodykit and badges. As always, aluminium trims are to be found everywhere, there's a boost pressure indicator inside, sports seats and S badges. Yes, S badges, coo all you want about it.. 

Sleeker interior right?

Boost gauge!