Audi A3 News

Electric car sales are still growing, but as the ‘early adopter’ phase comes to an end, the rate of uptake has slowed the past few months.Some brands have bet heavily on electric vehicles early in their explosive sales climb, this latest slow-down in pace might have actually handed Audi an advantage as its Q4 and Q6 e-tron SUVs finally arrive in Australia.Audi bet less heavily on EVs than its most direct rivals, BMW and Mercedes in the past few years. Rather than try to replace some of its most hallowed nameplates with electric versions, Audi instead added low-volume electric flagship offerings to its range in the form of the e-tron GT and now the Q8 e-tron.In Australia, the delayed launch of the Q4 e-tron has coincided with the arrival of the government’s new vehicle efficiency standards (NVES), giving it the leverage it needs with its international head office to expand its range of hybrid offerings to live alongside its new electrics.Speaking to CarsGuide at the launch of the Q6 e-tron, Audi Australia’s managing director Jeff Mannering explained how the game has changed in Audi’s favour.“It’s an overall strategy we’ve got now” he said of the brand’s new MHEV+ hybrid tech arriving at the same time as the Q6, “because what we have to think about is whether it’s just going to be battery electrics going forward.”“The market has switched around a little bit, I think the spike in battery electric sales where everyone was saying it was going to be fifty per cent of the market that’s simply not the case anymore.”“Q4 and Q6 are important because it adds volume to our battery electrics - we need that, and we need plug-in hybrids as well because the C02 targets are now there.”“You’re not so reliant on a BEV if you have a PHEV. It’s our clear direction to have something for every customer in every segment.”Not every brand has managed to navigate the tightrope of emerging technologies quite the same way. BMW has led the way with its competitively priced and well-received electric cars, although its plug-in hybrids have struggled. BMW leads the German three, amassing a whopping 25,341 units last year, nearly 30 per cent of which were electric. Over at Mercedes, plug-in hybrids were pulled from its range altogether after years of slow sales in Australia (although they will return), while its electric offerings have been shunned. It was down a notable 17.8 per cent last year, with its car division falling to 19,989 units.Audi remained in third position, moving 15,333 units. It was down a sizeable 19.5 per cent compared to 2023, which the brand is hoping its nearly entirely refreshed range will reverse in 2025.Not only has the Q4 and Q6 arrived, but they will be joined in the third quarter by the Q5 and A5, debuting the entirely new PPC combustion platform and MHEV+ technology. Other less significantly upgraded nameplates include the A1, A3, Q2, Q7, and Q8, all due before year’s end.As Mannering said, replacements or updates to some of the brand’s longest running models will give it a shot at more impressive sales volumes in 2025.“If you look at the lifecycle of our cars, some are up to their eighth or ninth year now - We’ll have the newest line-up in the market this year and it’s been a long time since we’ve been able to say that.”Will this range let it beat out Mercedes or even challenge BMW in 2025? Check in later this year to find out.

Audi will finally launch the facelifted A3 Sportback range in Australia in the second quarter of this year, to take the fight to the rising tide of fast-improving Chinese hatchback alternatives.

Audi has revealed its facelifted A3 and S3 hatch and sedan range with some design and performance upgrades, but with steeper pricing across the range.Scheduled to arrive from early 2025, the new A3 range kicks off at $54,800, before on-road costs, for the base Sportback 35 TFSI S line, representing an increase of $4200 on the pre-facelift version.It is still $1700 cheaper than the BMW 118 and $2100 cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz A200 hatchbacks, though.The sedan version, meanwhile, starts at $57,800 (before on-road costs), a rise of $4600 over its predecessor but still $600 cheaper than the A200 sedan.The more powerful 40 TFSI Quattro all-wheel drive variant, has been cut from the range for now, meaning customers are left with a single-variant front-wheel drive A3 lineup.CarsGuide has contacted Audi Australia to determine whether it plans to add it to the lineup in the future.In return for the higher price point, Audi has equipped the A3 with S Line packaging, which adds an S roof spoiler (hatchback only) and sportier S Line front and rear bumpers.There are also high-gloss exterior styling highlights such as anodised aluminium window strips and a blacked-out Audi emblem.Inside, Audi has reconfigured the A3’s cockpit with new air-conditioning vents, a bigger 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen and a fully-integrated gear shifter.S Line packaging adds sports front seats with integrated headrests and four-way lumber support, as well as heating and ventilation functions.Headlining comes in black with aluminium inlays, while there are stainless steel sports pedals and a multifunction steering wheel with the 'S' emblem and perforated leather stitching.A ten-speaker audio system remains standard as well as a wireless charging pad.Power is still derived from an 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system.Together it delivers 110kW/250Nm to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.The S3 has seen its power upped by 17kW/20Nm on its punchier 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine to 245kW/420Nm. The S3 rockets from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds with a limited top speed of 250km/h.The rise in power comes thanks to the addition of an RS3-derived torque splitter and new dynamic plus driving mode. Both features work together to distribute torque to the rear wheels more efficiently, while improving handling and agility.Braking performance has also been improved with larger perforated front brake disks fitted with new two-piston callipers, while a new Akrapovic sports exhaust with a titanium silencer adds a more distinct exhaust note.Inside, the S3 further differentiates itself from the A3 with Nappa leather upholstery that includes diamond stitching with 'S' embossing, black microfibre inlays and an auto-dimming interior mirror.There are selectable daytime running light signatures on the A3’s matrix LED headlights, along with ambient interior lighting and three-zone climate control.The S3 range will start at $3400 more for the S3 sportback and $4427 for the sedan.Both models carry a five-star ANCAP safety rating and are covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty.All prices are at before on-road costs

The real world fuel efficiency of cars has long been in question, with owners and road tests repeatedly finding huge chasms between ratings used in advertising and what happens on the road. 

By mid -2025, Audi's entire model range will look significantly different.

Audi has revealed the updated A3 hatchback and sedan, along with a new bodystyle called ‘Allstreet’, reminiscent of the lifted ‘Allroad’ variants of its larger models.

Audi has given most of its range a safety and features updated for its 2024 model year, with just about the entire Audi range now coming with features like adaptive cruise control as standard.

About 10 to 15 years ago there was a shift in market trends from large, usually inefficient passenger cars to smaller, more frugal models like hatchbacks and compact sedans.

Audi is having a bumper year. Sales are up and the brand has much better supply than in 2022. But is Audi chasing competitors like BMW and even Tesla? The German carmaker has had a very positive 2023 so far. To the end of July, Audi has sold 10,644 vehicles in Australia, which represents a 37.4 per cent increase on the same period in 2022.

Audi's hybrid push is finally here, kicking off with the popular Q5 mid-size SUV.