Less than three weeks from the official unveil of the 2013 Audi A3 at the Geneva Motor Show, a leaked image is doing the rounds on the interweb.
And here it is. According to Czech website autoforum.cz this could be the third-generation A3.
As always, we can’t be sure whether this image is genuine or the work of an avid photoshopper.
But…
Various Audi spokespeople have refused to confirm or deny the authenticity of the image, thus reducing the chance of it being a fake.
And the car in the image looks remarkably like the exterior image inadvertently revealed in the official images of the new A3 interior.
So what does it have to offer?
The Styling
Evolution rather than revolution – now there’s a surprise.
The basic three-door silhouette is retained from the existing A3 and the Audi family face is much in evidence.
That means a larger hexagonal family grille, LED-infused “angry” headlights, sculpted bonnet, reprofiled bumper and aggressive air intakes.
The end result is a smooth, coherent, if rather safe, design.
We’re looking forward to the S-line package, S3 and RS3 already.
The Interior
Audi has already revealed the new car’s hi-tech interior back in January at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
As you would expect, the traditional high quality Audi cabin features ergonomic luxuries including a Multimedia Interface (MMI) terminal and touchpad
wheel.
The A3 Range
The 2013 Audi A3 will be the first car to be based on the Volkswagen Group’s new MQB modular platform.
All-wheel-drive will be an option as will active dampers.
Shortly after the A3 appears, the next-generation Volkswagen Golf will be the second car to use the MQB platform.
Click Here For More Info About The MQB Platform
Under the hood the MQB models will be powered by a new family of downsized turbo petrols (EA211) and diesels (EA288) shared by VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat.
The petrol range is rumoured to include;
- 1.2-litre (104bhp)
- 1.4-litre (120bhp)
- 1.4-litre (178bhp)
- 2.0-litre (208bhp)
The diesel range could include;
- 1.6-litre TDI (104bhp)
- 2.0-litre TDI (138bhp)
- 2.0-litre TDI (178bhp)
There’s also a chance of seeing an electric version of the A3 by around 2015.
Shown in three-door hatchback form the new A3 will also be available as a five-door hatch at launch.
Saloon and cabriolet versions are also said to be in development for a later date.
The third-gen Audi A3 is likely to make its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March before arriving in UK showrooms later in the year.
But before then, let’s have your initial impressions on the new Audi A3. Is the image genuine? Do you like what you see? And most importantly, does it
inspire you to consider buying one?
Source: Autoforum.cz
