Click here to read the Team-BHP drive report of the 2017 Audi A3 facelift

Audi has launched the 2017 A3 sedan in India, which has been priced at Rs. 30.50 lakh for the petrol and Rs. 32.30 lakh for the diesel. The updated model comes with some cosmetic changes on the exteriors as well as interiors, along with a new, downsized petrol engine.

Cosmetic changes on the outside include a large hexagonal grille, which now gets a double-slat design with a chrome border. The headlamp assemblies have also been redesigned as they now feature a jagged bottom layout, similar to what is seen in the A4. The updated model comes with dynamic turn indicators, LED DRLs and an optional full LED headlight setup. The front and rear bumpers have been tweaked, while the tail lights too get slight modifications. The side profile is more or less identical to that of the earlier model, except for a new set of 16-inch 5-spoke alloys.

On the inside, the dashboard has been borrowed from the previous A3, though the steering wheel is a new 3-spoke unit. Features on offer include a 7.0-inch infotainment screen, wireless charging support, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, 7 airbags and a panoramic sunroof.

Powering the 2017 Audi A3 is a new 1.4-litre, four-cylinder TFSI petrol engine that replaces the larger 1.8-litre power plant of the outgoing model. This engine is rated at 148 BHP and 250 Nm of torque, and is available with a 7-speed DSG gearbox. Diesel engine has been continued from the pre-facelift model, which is a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder TDI unit that churns out 139 BHP and 320 Nm of torque, while being mated to a 6-speed DSG gearbox.

Click here to read the Team-BHP drive report of the Audi A3 facelift

Media reports claim that the 2017 Audi A3 facelift will be launched in India on April 6, 2017. This mid-life facelift comes with some minor cosmetic updates and a new petrol engine option.

Cosmetically, the new A3 gets a larger hexagonal grille, new LED headlamps with DRLs and dynamic turn indicators, tweaked bumpers, a new taillight design and new 16-inch five-spoke alloys. The dashboard layout is similar to the previous model, but now comes with a 3-spoke steering wheel instead of a 4-spoke one. The 2017 model comes with a 7.0-inch infotainment screen which is now standard across the range, though it isn't a touchscreen unit and needs to be controlled through the command dial placed behind the gear lever. The updated model also gets wireless charging.

The A3 facelift comes with two engine options - a petrol and a diesel. The diesel is the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder TDI unit that was found on the earlier model. It churns out 139 BHP and 320 Nm of torque, while being mated to a 6-speed DSG gearbox. However, the petrol variants get a new 1.4-litre, four-cylinder TFSI engine rated at 148 BHP and 250 Nm. The petrol engine is available with a 7-speed DSG gearbox.

Source: Car and Bike

Audi has revealed a facelifted version of the A3. The car will be available in 3-door hatchback, Sportback, sedan and cabriolet body styles. Deliveries are scheduled to commence during summer in the European market.

The refreshed A3 gets sharper headlamps with jagged bottom edges (similar to the ones on the new R8). Xenon Plus headlamps are a part of standard equipment, while matrix LEDs are available as an option. The car features a broader single frame front grille and at the rear, it gets a redesigned diffuser. The A3 measures 4.24 metres in length and has a wheelbase of 2.6 metres.

On the inside, the A3 gets a new multi-function steering wheel, and Audi virtual cockpit, which displays driving related information on a 12.3-inch TFT screen. The MMI system has been redesigned and the MMI radio plus with the electrically extended 7-inch diagonal monitor is standard with navigation available as an option.

Driver assistance systems include active lane assist, predictive pedestrian protection, cross traffic assist and traffic jam assist, which works together with the adaptive cruise control and stop and go feature.

The A3 is available with six engine options - three petrol and three diesel units. The entry level petrol engine is a 1.0-litre TFSI motor. It is a 3-cylinder unit that produces 114 BHP and 200 Nm of torque. The second engine is a 1.4-litre TFSI power plant that comes with cylinder-on-demand technology and produces 148 BHP and 250 Nm. The largest petrol engine on offer is a 2.0-litre TFSI unit producing 188 BHP and 320 Nm of torque. It is mated to a new seven-speed S-tronic transmission with wet clutch.

The entry level diesel engine is a 1.6-litre TDI that develops 109 BHP. It is available with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed, dual clutch S-tronic transmission. The 2.0-litre TDI comes in two states of tune - 148 BHP & 340 Nm and 181 BHP & 380 Nm. While the A3 is available in front-wheel drive configuration by default, the 2.0-litre TFSI with 190 BHP is available with a Quattro all-wheel drive system.

The refreshed A3 sedan and cabriolet are expected to come to India later this year. Though the European line-up consists of the S3, A3 Sportback e-tron (plug-in hybrid) and the A3 Sportback g-tron (uses Audi e-gas as fuel in addition to fossil based natural gas), these cars are not likely to make it to the Indian market.