The new premium athlete in the compact class is now set to enter the market. Audi proudly presents the second generation of the A3. Powerful four- and six-cylinder engines with up to 184 kW, quattro drive and the new, automatic DSG Direct Shift Gearbox team up with the highly dynamic suspension to provide exactly the driving pleasure you will sense at very first sight when admiring the sporting lines of the body. And the exclusivity of the car's features and materials once again conveys the supreme standard so typical of Audi's large models in the compact class.

The new Audi A3 has everything it takes to continue the unique story of success already written by its predecessor. The second generation is characterised at first sight by its clear, sporting lines, sophisticated technology and the most dynamic design in its class, making the car simply perfect for pole position and thus following directly in the footsteps of the first-generation A3 built since 1996.

Emotion and precision – these two features characterise the exterior design of the new A3, visibly making it a fully-fledged representative of Audi's current model line. The entire body of the car is even firmer and more athletic than ever before.

With its wheelbase extended by 65 millimetres or 2.56", with an increase in width by 30 millimetres or 1.18", and with the entire car 10 millimetres or 0.39" lower than before, the new Audi A3 is reminiscent in its proportions of a classic coupé. Indeed, this impression is further accentuated by the short overhangs, the much lower rake of the C-pillar, and the lower window surrounds. At the same time the occupants both front and rear benefit from much larger interior dimensions and a higher standard of spaciousness and interior comfort throughout.

The engines convey their power to the road via front-wheel drive, some variants also featuring quattro permanent four-wheel drive:

• 3.2-litre V6 developing 184 kW and 320 Nm
• 2.0-litre FSI developing 110 kW and 200 Nm
• 1.6-litre developing 75 kW and 148 Nm
• 2.0-litre TDI developing 103 kW and 320 Nm

Depending on the engine, the new A3 comes with a manual five- or six-speed gearbox or with tiptronic. Now incorporating six speeds, this automatic transmission is absolutely unique in the compact segment.

As an alternative to the manual gearbox, the most powerful spark ignition and TDI versions are equipped with the new DSG Direct Shift Gearbox.

The chassis and suspension is designed for sporting and agile handling offering a high standard of stability, and providing very good control and handling in bends with both front-wheel and quattro drive. The chassis and suspension thus provides a standard of motoring comfort clearly oriented towards larger, upmarket models in a higher segment.

16- or 17-inch wheels (17-inch wheels are standard on the Ambition models) improve the car's performance on the road to an even higher standard and add a clear sporting touch. The power and performance of the engines is reflected by the equally powerful brake system with an appropriate increase in brake disc diameter.

A new feature on the Audi A3 is servotronic, electromechanical steering with speed-related power assistance combining an optimum feeling for the steering with efficient resistance to bumps and excitation from the road surface and requiring much less energy than before.

At a glance:

The all-new Audi A3