New Audi A3 sedan 2021 detailed: Mercedes-Benz A-Class rival sticks the boot in

Audi has revealed the sedan version of its fourth-generation A3 small car, which is due in Australian showrooms in the first half of next year.

The A3 sedan has grown in size, now measuring 4500mm long (+42mm), 1820mm wide (+24mm) and 1430mm tall (+14mm), although its wheelbase length is unchanged, at 2637mm.

While these increased dimensions have yielded an extra 20mm of front headroom and “some more elbow-room”, according to Audi, they haven’t improved cargo capacity, which is still 425L.

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Predictably, the A3 sedan shares its front fascia with its Sportback hatch sibling, which was revealed early last month. This includes a large Singleframe grille with a honeycomb insert, and striking LED headlights.

Around the side, Audi claims the A3 sedan subscribes to the coupe craze with a sloping roof line from the B-pillars back.

Naturally, the A3 sedan’s rear end represents the largest departure from the Sportback, mainly owing to its traditional bootlid as well as its more elegant bumper design.

The resulting slippery shape has a drag coefficient of 0.25 – 0.04Cd better than the previous-generation A3 sedan. This is also helped by the aforementioned grille’s active air shutters as well as the brakes’ active cooling.

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Inside, the A3 sedan is a carbon-copy of the Sportback, with the headline act being the integrated 10.1-inch touchscreen powered by Audi’s latest multimedia system, while the accompanying digital instrument cluster measures up to 12.3 inches in diameter.

Two turbocharged four-cylinder engine options will be offered from launch: a 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre petrol (35 TFSI), and a 110kW/360Nm diesel (35 TDI).

The A3 sedan’s rear end represents the largest departure from the Sportback.

While the 35 TFSI will be available with the choice of a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, the latter will be standard in the 35 TDI.

Two-pedal versions will come equipped with a 48V mild-hybrid system that recovers kinetic energy via regenerative braking and later uses it to support the engine with a 50Nm off-the-line or low-speed electric boost.

This set-up also allows coasting with the engine switched off for extended periods of time, helping to reduce fuel consumptions by up to 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres, according to Audi.

Inside, the A3 sedan is a carbon-copy of the Sportback.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking, steering assist, cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and surround-view cameras, among others.

Just like the Sportback, the A3 sedan will be available with several suspension options, including regular or sports tunes, and passive or adaptive dampers.

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Audi Australia says the A3 sedan’s local line-up – including its pricing and specification – will be announced closer to its release date.

As reported, the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class rival will launch in Australia in Sportback form, which is expected to go on sale by the end of this year.