Audi has launched the slightly updated A3 saloon in India, hence giving it a new petrol engine, sharpened styling, and a competitive price tag. The diesel engine continues to be the strong 2-litre unit, while the underpinnings remain unchanged, too.
Prices start at Rs 30.5 lakh for the petrol and Rs 32.3 lakh for the diesel, and the main competition for the A3 saloon comes from the Mercedes-Benz CLA, given that neither BMW nor Volvo have a three-box offering in the segment.
You can read more about the Audi A3 facelift in our first drive review
The major changes on the MQB-based car include design updates (at front and rear), refreshed interior, and inclusion of the 1.4-litre TFSI (148 bhp) turbo-petrol engine. With more environment-friendly approach (it gets cylinder-on-demand, and is about 0.4-litre smaller than the outgoing 1.8 TFSI), the petrol engined A3 is claimed to deliver 19.1 kpl. The 2-litre diesel unit makes 138 bhp and can return about 20.7 kpl, in ideal conditions.
The A3 is the fourth product Audi has launched in the country this year, and will be available in two trims: Premium and Technology. The said 1.4 TFSI engine has found its way in the A4 and Q3 already, and the A3 is now the third Audi to have received it. The A3 Cabriolet completes the A3 range in the country, priced at Rs 47.98 lakh. All prices mentioned here are ex-showroom, Delhi.
Having begun its official operations in 2007, Audi completes ten years in India this year. Which also means there will be ten new products, four of which have been launched already. Any guesses which the other six will be?
