Audi A3 Sedan Concept with 408HP Officially Previews Next Generation Model

It's been rumored for a while now that Audi was exploring the possibility of adding a four-door sedan body style to its A3 range, but today, the German firm officially confirmed the news with the release of the first official sketches of the A3 Concept ahead of its world premiere at the 81st International Geneva Motor Show in early March.

Its main purpose is to preview both the saloon variant and the styling direction of the next A3, which is scheduled for a rollout in 2012 and will also include the successors to today's three-door hatchback, five-door Sportback and the two-door convertible models.

"The four-seater notchback sedan offers a glimpse of the future expansion of the A3 family," Audi said in a statement.

The A3 concept measures 4.44 meters (14.57 feet) long, 1.84 meters (6.04 feet) wide and just 1.39 meters (4.56 feet) high, meaning it's slightly smaller than the new Volkswagen Jetta (4.64 m long).

The sedan study embodies Audi's latest design language as seen on the recent A8, A6 and A7 Sportback models featuring a single-frame grille with tapered upper corners, angular headlights with LED technology and taut body lines.

The show car is fitted with an upgraded version of the 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine found under the bonnet of the current RS3 and TT RS models, producing a peak output of 408-horses. The five-pot distributes power to all four wheels through a seven-speed S tronic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive.

We'll have more details on the A3 Concept from the Geneva Motor Show in March.

READ MORE - Audi A3 Sedan Concept with 408HP Officially Previews Next Generation Model

VIDEO: Audi A3 Turns Into Icicle after NY Water Main Breaks

An Audi A3 Sportback owner in New York City's East Village received a chilly surprise on Monday after finding his car literally encased in ice. The freakish incident occurred after a pipe broke under the street sometime during the weekend causing a sinkhole that formed a small pond around the Audi. The passing cars splashing water all over the A3 and subfreezing temperatures did the rest. As you can see in the video after the jump, the ice was so thick that the owner's attempts to free the car from its frozen cage with a chisel and a hammer proved futile.

READ MORE - VIDEO: Audi A3 Turns Into Icicle after NY Water Main Breaks

Audi Presents Updated Navigation System Plus for A3, TT and R8

Just like any other electronic product, navigation systems are continuously upgrade with better software and hardware. Audi's updated navigation system plus with MMI (Multi Media Interface) for the A3, TT and R8 models promises to offer improved route calculation speeds thanks to a latest-generation processor clocked at 600 MHz while another significant enhancement is are the 800 x 480 pixel, high-resolution graphics displayed on the 6.5-inch screen.

On the back of the display, which can be folded away at the push of a button, are two slots for SD and SDHC cards with capacities of up to 32 GB, enough to store about 14,000 songs or 700 hours of music.

Also new on Audi's updated navigation system plus is the optical parking assistant which can be combined in the Audi R8 with the rearview camera. Aside from the acoustic warning signals, the distance to the front and to the rear is now displayed optically on the high-resolution display.

The new system is available for order now with prices ranging between €2,270 and €2,565, depending on the model.

READ MORE - Audi Presents Updated Navigation System Plus for A3, TT and R8

VIDEO: New Audi RS3 Sportback Drifts its Way on the Snow

Now here's a video worthy of the all-new Audi RS3's sporty credentials and quattro heritage. Forget about the bland static footage of the car released at launch because this clip is -mostly- about having some slideways fun on the snow accompanied by the howling sounds of the RS3's 340HP turbocharged inline-five. Enjoy the 7 minute long film, which was shot in Canada, right after the break.

READ MORE - VIDEO: New Audi RS3 Sportback Drifts its Way on the Snow

Audi: New 1.6 TDI Engines for A3 and A3 Sportback

Audi has announced a pair of new common-rail diesel engines that will join the A3 and A3 Sportback lineups. The most powerful variant of the 1.6-liter TDi produces 105HP and 230 Nm (170 lb-ft) of torque, and is combined with Audi's new start and stop, and energy recovery systems. With this engine the A3 sprints from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 11.4 seconds and reached a top speed of 194 km/h (121mph) while consuming on average 4.1 liters of diesel per 100km (57.37 US mpg). This equates to 109 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

There's also a 90HP version of the 1.6-liter TDi that propels the A3 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 12.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 180km/h (112 mph). This model, which does not feature the start/stop system or energy recovery, has a higher average consumption of 4.5 l/100 km (52.27 US mpg) with CO2 emissions of 118 grams per kilometer .

The A3 1.6 TDI is available for order in Europe with the basic price for the 90HP version set at €22,550 and for the 105HP model at €23,550. Those who opt for the 5-door Sportback model will be charged an extra €900.

READ MORE - Audi: New 1.6 TDI Engines for A3 and A3 Sportback

VIDEO: New Audi RS3 Sportback 340HP

Earlier this week, we brought you a first look at Audi's second proposal in the hot hatchback segment after the 265HP S3, the new RS3 Sportback that borrows the TT RS' 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five with 340 ponies. Now we have the first video that takes us up close and personal with the RS3. Unfortunately, the clip does not include any running footage of the car. The European market order books for the RS3 Sportback open in December with prices in Germany starting from €49,900.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

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READ MORE - VIDEO: New Audi RS3 Sportback 340HP

New Audi RS3 Breaks Cover, gets 340HP Turbocharged Five-Cylinder

It's official; Audi has finally lifted the wraps off the all-new RS3 Sportback that will be if not the, one of the most powerful and fastest hatchbacks in the market when it goes on sale in Europe in early 2011. It adopts the TT RS' 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine producing 340-horsepower and 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) of torque available between 1,600 rpm and 5,300 rpm.

Power is transmitted to the road through a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission with two auto and one manual modes, and the Ingolstadt firm's quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.

Weighing in at 1,575 kg (3,472.28 pounds), the RS3 completes the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in a mere 4.6 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Audi adds that the RS3 returns an average fuel consumption of 9.1 liters per 100 km (25.9 US mpg) and emits 212 g CO2 per km (341.18 g/mile).

So what else will RS3 buyers get aside from the five-pot and quattro all-wheel drive? Starting with the chassis, Audi's RS division widened the car's front and rear tracks, and added new coil springs and redesigned shock absorbers. The RS3 sits 25 millimeters (0.98 inch) closer to the ground compared with the A3, while it rides on new 19-inch cast aluminum wheels fitted with 235/35 series tires at the front and 225/35 at the rear. The wheels come standard with machine-polished titanium-look styling, but are optionally available in black with a red rim flange.

To improve stopping power, the RS3 is fitted with internally ventilated disks measuring 370 millimeters (14.57 inches) in diameter at the front and 310 millimeters (12.20 inches) at the rear.

Furthermore, the electronic stabilization program (ESP) features a Sport mode and can be switched off entirely.

The top off the line A3 also features some styling changes but not as much as you'd expect from an RS model. On the outside, the new rims are joined by bulgier wheel arches and a bodykit comprising of a new front bumper with massive air vents, side skirts and a rear apron housing a diffuser and the twin-tailpipes. The matt aluminium mirrors and roof spoiler round off the exterior look.

Inside, the cabin has been upgraded with a flat bottom steering wheel, a pair of body hugging bucket seats up front in Fine Nappa leather with contrasting stitching, and sportier trim throughout.

For the time being at least, the RS3 will be available exclusively as a five-door Sportback model as Audi did not say if there will be a three-door model down the line. European deliveries of the RS 3 Sportback will begin in early 2011 with the base price in Germany set at €49,900 (US$68,300). No word yet if or when the RS3 Sportback will be sold in the States.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

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READ MORE - New Audi RS3 Breaks Cover, gets 340HP Turbocharged Five-Cylinder