New details on the next Audi A3

Published Jan 31, 2012

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The puzzle of Audi's next A3 is coming together so comprehensively that by the time it gets unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, there will be few, if any, surprises.

Following that sneaky teaser pic that showed the three-door hatch model on the screen of its new MMI system, German magazine Auto Motor und Sport has uncovered some new information on the car.

The initial engine range will reportedly span the same wide continuum as today's model.

On the petrol front, you can expect a 77kW 1.2, a line-up of 1.4s with either 90kW, 104kW or 132kW and a 155kW 2-litre - all, of course, turbocharged and featuring direct injection. The mid-spec 1.4 will also have cylinder deactivation to aid economy.

The diesel range is expect to include a 77kW 1.6 and a 2-litre with outputs of 103kW and 132kW.

As you'd expect, the real screamers in the range will arrive at a later stage with the S3 reportedly packing a 206kW version of the familiar 2-litre high-boost turbo and the next RS 3 employing a 257kW version of the current car's 257kW five-cylinder motor.

Although the output increases are mostly modest, you can look forward to decent improvements in both performance and economy with the new A3s said to be ten percent lighter than the current cars.

The wider range will also include a four-door sedan for the first time - in addition to the familiar three-door hatch, five-door Sportback and convertible.

All models will share the same front-end styling and cabin, but the sedan and Sportback will have a longer wheelbase to aid practicality.

Watch this space for official details as they become available.

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