AUDI A3 AND S3 SEDAN OFFICIALLY REVEALED

Audi has finally broken the covers off the brand new A3 and S3 sedans, at the same time. The A3 sedan is the first in its class and will compete with the upcoming Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan and maybe even the rumoured BMW 1 Series sedan. The car will be shown at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS) in October this year.

The car is obviously a sedan because it has a boot. It is based on the new A3 platform but is 4.45 metres long, 1.78m wide, 1.4m high and has a wheelbase of 2.6m. It is quite a large “baby” car. In fact, it is about the same size as the first Audi A4 which was launched in 1994.

Some of the advanced features include Bluetooth connectivity, MMI infotainment system, an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system and 4G/ LTE connectivity. Another is the implementation of the new NVIDIA graphics processing unit (GPU). The NVIDIA GPU generates complex 3D images used in all online, voice control, media navigation and telephone functions. Another industry first includes the Audi phone box. The Audi phone box is a compartment located under the centre armrest that boosts a mobile phone’s cellular coverage by wirelessly coupling to a specialised antenna in the rear windscreen.

Engines mimic those in the A3 hatch and Sportback, meaning a 1.4 TFSI with 103kW and 250Nm, 1.8 TFSI doing 132kW and a 2.0 TDI worth 110kW and 320Nm of torque. Top of the pops is the S3 sedan whose 2.0-litre TFSI turbo is banging at 221kW and 380Nm of torque. Audi says this model will move from 0 – 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds when using the S Tronic gearbox, and 5.3 seconds using the 6-speed manual option.