Audi A3 sedan concept

Geneva International Motor Show

One of the premiere launches at the 2011 Geneva motor show, the Audi A3 sedan concept is almost guaranteed to become a reality where it would rival vehicles such as the BMW 1 Series. Audi is calling the new concept four-seat notchback sedan, and measuring 4.44 meters in length it sits firmly within the small car category.

On the surface it would appear as though Audi is looking to develop a more agile and sporty sedan that slots in underneath the ever-expanding A4, perhaps to pre-empt a BMW 1 Series sedan.

The Audi A3 sedan concept adheres to Ingolstadt's design ethos, retaining the single-frame front grille, angular headlights and conservative silhouette, though the stubby rear-end lends it a more sporting character. A kerb weight of 1540kg would ensure light footedness.

While Audi's bread-and-butter model, the A4, grows in size and is increasingly being seen as a family car, the A3 sedan would deliver a vehicle for buyers less concerned with back-seat passengers. As such, the concept rides on large 20-inch alloy wheels that sit beneath pumped wheel arches, and the A3 sedan concept is powered by the RS3 hatchback's five-cylinder turbocharged engine outputting 300kW -- a good 50kW more than the RS3.

Peak torque is likewise lofty, 500Nm from as low as 1600rpm.

The Audi's engine power is transferred to all four wheels via a twin-clutch seven-speed S tronic gearbox, and the car will accelerate from zero to 100km/h faster than the RS4, in about 4.1 seconds.

Stay tuned to the Carsales Network for more news and interviews from the 2011 Geneva motor show.

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