Audi A3 Sportback: Australian rollout

However, the final spec of one of the engines is yet to be decided and more are under consideration.

Audi Australia has also promised an equipment upgrade for the third-generation A3, crowned by the latest-generation Audi Connect internet system, although it will be optional and only some elements of the package will make it here.

Regarded as one of Audi’s key sales pillars, the company claims the original A3 kicked off premium compact segment when the three-door launched here in May 1997, months ahead of the original Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

“The A3 has been popular in the past, and we think the new A3 will be very popular with our customers who want a car that leads in technology, has efficient engines and looks great,” Audi Australia spokesman Shaun Cleary told motoring.com.au at the launch of the A3 Sportback in France overnight.

While unwilling to discuss pricing or equipment specifics, Mr Cleary said Audi would position the new A3 competitively against the BMW 1 Series, which starts at $36,900, and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which returns to the Australian market after nearly three years next March priced from $35,600. Current A3 pricing kicks off at $40,500.

“We will make sure we are competitive and we are very much aware there is a lot going on in this segment with our competitors both this year and early next year as well,” Mr Cleary said. “So we will make sure the A3 will be a very competitive package for our customers as always.”

The new A3 will initially arrive in Australia offering three front-wheel drive powertrains – 1.4 and 1.8-litre TFSI direct-injection turbo-petrol and 2.0-litre TDI direct-injection turbo-diesel. All will be available with S tronic dual-clutch gearboxes and some with manual gearboxes.

Quattro all-wheel drive will only be available with the 221kW S3 Sportback turbo-petrol hot-hatch due in the third quarter of 2013. The three-door A3 will not be offered in Australia. A sedan, which has so far only been seen in concept form, is under consideration, as is a plug-in hybrid e-tron due in 2014.

Exterior styling is evolutionary. However, the interior is a notable departure from the busy Audi norm, with a notable reduction in buttons, especially versions fitted with the latest iteration of the MMI controller.

The Sportback will be launched here with a high level of equipment including seven airbags, leather trim and start-stop across the range, but new high-end connectivity, infotainment and drive assistance systems will mostly be optional.

Among them is Audi Connect, which offers such features as Google Earth, Maps, Street View and search functionality and WLAN, which allows the wifi connection of up to eight mobile devices in an A3.

However, some Audi Connect features such as Facebook and Twitter access are not necessarily legal for installation in a car in Australia, while others such as instant weather and traffic update aren’t supported by local technology providers.

“It is our intention to introduce Audi Connect in Australia with the new A3,” Mr Cleary confirmed. “However, there are differences between Australia and Europe with how the mobile systems works and in Australia some of the data just doesn’t exist.

“We also have to make sure it complies with Australian Design Rules and those sorts of things.”

Audi Australia is also yet to determine whether the 1.4 TFSI will be the latest tech 103kW cylinder o- demand unit, or a more orthodox 90kW version: “The cylinder deactivation engine is cutting edge technology so that comes with a premium and we have to make sure it is right for the market when we bring it here,” Mr Cleary said.

Translation: it might prove too expensive to be the price-leader engine.

The 1.8, which combines direct and indirect fuel-injection, produces 132kW and 250Nm (up from 118kW while torque is unchanged). The diesel engine, which has dual balancer shafts, outputs 110kW and 320Nm (up from 103kW while torque is unchanged). A higher output 135kW/380Nm version is also under consideration.

A 77kW/250Nm 1.6-litre TDI may make it here too. If it does, it will be the most economic in the family, managing a claimed 3.8L/100km and 99g CO2/km in six-speed manual guise. Across the range Audi claims a nine per cent fuel consumption reduction compared to the old car.

Substantial weight savings via the cutting-edge new Volkswagen Group MQB platform also helps save fuel, as the new A3 is up to 90kg lighter. It also rides on a 58mm longer wheelbase that releases a small amount more rear room and grows the boot capacity from 370 to 380 litres (1220 with the rear seats folded).

The A3 is the first VW Group car to be based on MQB, but many more are following closely behind, including the new and already lauded Golf Mk7.