Facelifted a3 leads audi’s new-car blitz official sportier looks, technology boost and new interior trim for german brand’s popular hatchback and saloon

OFFICIAL

THE facelifted Audi A3 will lead a hefty new-car onslaught for the German giant, comprising no fewer than nine distinct models and myriad bodystyles – all due before the end of 2025.

After a quiet few years, Audi is gearing up for a series of quick-fire launches, and the first in line is an updated version of the big-selling A3. Following in the footsteps of its facelifted Volkswagen Golf sister car, the Audi gets a subtly revised look, more technology and fresh interior trim.

Audi says the new car is “sportier than ever”, but that presumably refers exclusively to the car’s aesthetic, because as the A3 is unchanged under the skin. At the front, there’s a flatter grille and large, angular air intakes, complemented by the new two-dimensional four-ring logo first seen on the Q8 e-tron SUV. To the rear, the A3 gets a new bumper and diffuser – elements Audi says are “inspired by the RS models”.

Two new paint colours – District Green and Progressive Red – plus matte finishes, will be made available for the first time. The visual changes apply to both the Sportback hatch, as well as the A3 Saloon. A jacked-up A3 Allstreet will be offered in some markets, but isn’t planned for the UK.

Audi will also add customisable lighting signatures to the A3 range. They’re selectable via the car’s infotainment system and owners will be able to choose between four digital daytime-running-light signatures; cycling through the different options also influences the car’s start-up and close-down sequence, which were “designed individually” for each setting.

Inside, the new A3 gets a few small design tweaks to separate it from its predecessor, although little has changed to the untrained eye. Extra chrome makes items such as the air vents and climate control panel appear thinner, while the centre console has