The refreshed Audi A3 has been introduced packed with new and high-tech features.
The 2017 Audi A3 will arrive in sedan, convertible, three- and five-door hatchback variants for the European market, but there’s no word yet on what will be available in the U.S. Along with an update to its design, the German automaker has outfitted the A3 with plenty of new features including Audi Virtual Cockpit, which displays the most important driving-relevant information on a high-resolution, 12.3-inch TFT screen. New to the segment is optional traffic jam assist, working together with Audi adaptive cruise control and Stop&Go to essentially drive itself in traffic up to 40.4 mph.
Another new feature on the 2017 Audi A3 is optional Emergency Assist, a system that initiates braking to a safe stop if the driver doesn’t act on warnings. Lastly, new rear cross-traffic alert warns the driver about cross traffic when backing out of a perpendicular parking space.
SEE ALSO: 2015 Audi A3 Review
Riding on a 8.53-foot wheelbase and measuring 13.91 feet in length, Audi says that “hardly any change has been made to the dimensions.” Still, the Audi A3 gets a sportier appearance with a Singleframe grille featuring sharper contours while having a broader overall profile. The headlights have also been revamped to be flatter with distinctive outer contours.
In Europe, the Audi A3 will be available with six different engines, three gasoline and three diesel. Power output ranges from 110 horsepower to 190 hp with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder being offered in the A3 for the first time. That particular powerplant boasts 115 hp and 147.5 pound-feet of torque.
There is also a completely new 2.0-liter TFSI engine with 190 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque that would likely be offered in the U.S. Considering the German automaker is surrounded by a massive diesel scandal, don’t expect any announcements on a diesel model.
For alternative powertrains, Audi will offer the A3 Sportback e-tron as a plug-in hybrid with a total system output of 204 hp. The A3 Sportback g-tron is a five-door compact model that can use climate-neutrally produced Audi e-gas as fuel, in addition to fossil-based natural gas. That particular model is powered by a 1.4-liter TFSI engine with 110 hp.
Then there’s the hot Audi S3, powered by a 2.0-liter TFSI engine with 310 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.
The 2017 Audi A3 will go on sale in Europe in early May with pricing starting at 23,300 Euros ($26,584) in Germany.
