2013 Audi A3 Sportback – Australian pricing & specs

Audi Australia has just launched the A3 Sportback to the local market. It’s the third generation to arrive on our shores and for the first time is available in a five-door model only.

At launch there are four engine options available. The entry level Attraction specification can be bought with either a 90kW/200Nm 1.4 TFSI from $35,600 or a 77kW/250Nm 1.6 TDI starting at $36,500.

The upper-level Ambition spec also offers the choice between petrol and diesel power, with the 132kW/250Nm 1.8 TFSI or the 110kW/320Nm 2.0 TDI. Both are priced from $42,500.

All come standard with S tronic transmissions, 6-speed in the 2.0 TDI and 7-speed in the rest of the range. A 6-speed manual transmission is available by special order.

The new 8V model A3 may look a lot like its 8P predecessor but it is an all-new model that is slightly larger and quite a bit lighter—up to 85kg depending on the specification.

A full list of specifications and options pricing can be read after the break, complemented by a gallery of over 40 photos and access to the the full Audi Australia A3 Sportback press kit.

Buyers wanting to indulge in the 221kW/380Nm S3 Sportback quattro will have to wait until December. The all-new S3 sedan will follow early next year. Audi says we should expect S3 pricing to start in the mid $60K bracket.

An A3 Cabriolet and plug-in hybrid A3 e-tron will also join the range in the future.

Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI – from $35,600*

Audi A3 Sportback 1.8 TFSI – from $42,500*

Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI – from $42,500*

The new Audi A3 Sportback arrives in Australia

• Exceptional entry price of $35,600 for Audi’s benchmark A3 Sportback
  
• Outstanding in all areas: design, technology, performance, efficiency
  
• Audi Australia MD Andrew Doyle: “The new A3 Sportback demonstrates the very best of what Audi is capable of.”

May 24 2013 – The new third-generation Audi A3 Sportback has arrived in Australia, starting at $35,600. Sophisticated design, strong performance, frugal efficiency, advanced features from the luxury class and outstanding quality all combine to ensure that the A3 Sportback is a true Audi.

Audi Australia’s Managing Director, Andrew Doyle, said the new A3 Sportback is of tremendous strategic importance to the company.

“We are immensely proud of the extraordinary new Audi A3 Sportback. It demonstrates the very best of what Audi is capable of.

“The new A3 Sportback offers the luxury, features and quality of a much larger car in a concentrated package. We created the premium compact segment in 1996 with the very first A3, and since then, almost 18,000 Australian customers have chosen to own one. With the all-new Audi A3, we will lead the segment once again.”

“The all-new A3 range will be a key sales driver for Audi as we head toward our goal of becoming the number one premium brand in Australia. But the Sportback is just the starting point: over the next few years we will see the much-anticipated A3 sedan, the S3 models, the all-new A3 Cabriolet and of course our first plug-in hybrid, the A3 e-tron.”

Starting at $35,600, the entry-level model in the new A3 Sportback range is 85 kg lighter than its predecessor and is powered by a 1.4 TFSI turbocharged petrol engine that produces 90kW and 200Nm. The 1.4 TFSI accelerates to 100km/h in 9.3 seconds, with frugal fuel economy of 5.0 litres per 100km.

The top petrol engine in the range is the powerful 1.8 TFSI, which produces a hefty 132 kW and 250 Nm. Maximum torque is available from just 1,250 rpm, and remains constant up to 5,000 rpm. As a result, the 1.8 TFSI reaches 100 km/h in only 7.3 seconds, with exceptional fuel economy of 5.6 litres per 100km.

The 2.0 TDI turbocharged diesel engine also offers strong performance, peaking at 110kW and 320 Nm. As expected of an Audi diesel engine, acceleration is a strong point. The 2.0 TDI model powers to 100km/h in 8.4 seconds, returning outstanding fuel economy of 4.5 litres per 100km.

All four models use the sporty – yet highly efficient – S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Shifting in just a few milliseconds, the S tronic transmission delivers the perfect combination of sporty performance and smooth driving qualities.

Audi has also reversed the weight spiral with the new A3 Sportback. Audi ultra lightweight technology reduces weight by as much as 90 kilograms, compared with the previous model. Equipped with the 1.4 TFSI engine, the five-door model has a kerb weight of just 1,225 kilograms. Hot-shaped high-tensile steels are used in the occupant cell of the new A3 Sportback and the bonnet and front guards are made of aluminium. The complete occupant cell is 37 kilograms lighter overall than in the previous model. Further weight reductions were achieved throughout the interior and in the engines.

The new Audi A3 Sportback has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, and the entry-level 1.4 TFSI model has also been awarded a five-star rating in the Australian Government’s Green Vehicle Guide ratings.

One of the strengths of the Audi A3 Sportback is its broad appeal. Young, ambitious singles as well as young couples are all attracted the design, functionality and versatility of the A3 Sportback, with most in the 30-49 age group. Nevertheless, the A3 Sportback is also highly desirable among young adults who have not yet left the family home, aged under 29, along with ‘empty nesters’ aged over 60. One theme is clear throughout all these target groups: discerning buyers want to differentiate themselves by their choice of vehicle.

Equipment and Pricing – highlights at a glance

The A3 Sportback offers a very high level of standard equipment in keeping with its premium positioning – highlights include:

Attraction trim level (1.4 TFSI and 1.6 TDI)

• 16-inch alloy wheels
  
• Audi parking system: rear
  
• Leather-appointed upholstery
  
• Dual-zone automatic climate control with digital display and rear-seat vents
  
• Audi Music Interface
  
• Bluetooth interface with audio streaming
  
• MMI radio system – electrically retractable, slimline 5.8-inch colour display monitor with 8 passive speakers
  
• Cruise control
  
• Driver information system
  
• Dynamic suspension
  
• Exterior electric mirrors
  
• Light and rain sensor
  
• Multi-function leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel with paddle-shift

Ambition trim level (1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TDI)

Additional standard equipment on top of Attraction trim level:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
  
• Front leather-appointed sports seats with height, depth and seat rake adjustment
  
• High-gloss package; aluminium window surrounds
  
• Aluminium-look interior styling with aluminium sill trims
  
• Front fog lights
  
• Full colour driver information system
  
• Audi Drive Select
  
• Multi-function leather-wrapped three-spoke sports steering wheel with paddle-shift

Pricing (Manufacturer List Pricing (MLP) – excludes dealer delivery and statutory charges)

Attraction specification level
A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI S tronic (90kW/200Nm) – $35,600
A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI S tronic (77kW/250Nm) – $36,500

Ambition specification level
A3 Sportback 1.8 TFSI S tronic (132kW/250Nm) – $42,500
A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI S tronic (110kW/320Nm) – $42,500

High-value option packages

To make it easier than ever for customers to combine highly desirable features together in exceptional value packages, the new Audi A3 Sportback will be offered with the following:

Style package (Attraction models only) – $2,000
Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights
17” alloy wheels, 5-arm ‘kinetic’ design

Style package (Ambition models only) – $2,000
Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights
18” alloy wheels, 5-arm ‘dynamic’ design
Sports suspension with a lowered ride height of 15mm

Technik package (Attraction and Ambition models) – $2,990
MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, including 7.0-inch colour display monitor
Audi parking assist with rear view camera

Comfort package (Attraction and Ambition models) – $2,200
Electrically adjustable front seats with electric lumbar support
Heated front seats
Convenience key
Auto dimming interior mirror
Exterior mirrors electric fold, heated with kerb view

Assistance package (Attraction and Ambition models only) – $1,800
Adaptive cruise control including pre-sense basic
Lane departure warning
High beam assist

S line sports package (Ambition models only) – $4,200
S line exterior package
S line sports package
18-inch aluminium wheels
Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights

Downloads

• Audi A3 Sportback Australian press kit (230kb PDF)
• Audi A3 Sportback tech specs (1.7mb PDF)