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The images show the S-line sporty version of the A3 Sportback, with up-spec styling for the bumpers and larger wheels than the standard models will get.
The five-door Sportback is taller, longer and gets a larger wheelbase than the current model – promising more head and legroom and increased stability on the road.
It’s also around 90kg lighter, thanks to the use of the parent Volkswagen Group’s new MQB platform, with a focus on high-tensile steel and lightweight materials.
The engine line-up overseas will kick off with 1.4-litre and 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinders and a 2.0-litre turbodiesel – followed later by a new aluminium-block 1.2-litre turbo petrol and 1.6-litre turbodiesel.
The A3 Sportback will go on sale in Europe in February and arrive year before mid-2013, with more details of the engine and specification we’ll get yet to be announced but possibly to be revealed at the Australian International Motor Show in October.
