Audi A3 hatch unveiled at Geneva

Audi is attempting to redefine the premium hatchback segment with the all-new Audi A3, which has been revealed in three-door guise at the Geneva motor show.

The third-generation Audi A3 features a high-class premium interior packed with ‘big car’ technology, a significant weight reduction thanks to its new lightweight modular platform and a highly-efficient new range of petrol and diesel engines.

As before, Audi is planning to launch a full range of bodystyles, including a five-door Sportback and soft-top Cabriolet. For the first time, there will be a new four-door saloon targeted at North America and the Asian markets.

The new Audi A3 gets a more aggressive look, slimmer headlights and a deep front bumper that feature large air vents - the car’s overall looks now resemble the A6. The sides feature a pronounced swage lines and an acute C-pillar kink. The shots of the interior also reveal that the dashboard closely resembles that of the Audi A1 supermini.

It has already been confirmed that Audi’s MMI terminal has been completely redeveloped, and is now narrower to fit the slim transmission tunnel. The system centres on the touchwheel, which combines the wheel function of the current MMI with the touchpad functionality fitted to the A6 and A8. It enables the operator to ‘write’ characters by finger movement.

Information is displayed on a new monitor, which slides out of the dashboard. The iPhone-influenced screen features LED backlighting and in an industry first, delivers 3D graphics.  An electromagnetic parking brake replaces the manual handbrake.

The Indian market will get the saloon variant of the A3 later this year. The concept A3, premiered at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011, is the smallest saloon in the Audi range. At 4440mm in length, it is 188mm shorter than the Jetta and 260mm shorter than the A4 saloon, which stretches to 4700mm. The upcoming production version of the new four-door is expected to retain the same dimensions.

Conceived along the lines of the new Jetta, the A3 will get Volkswagen’s latest MQB platform. Prices of the A3 saloon will start from Rs 20 lakh approximately.