These are reported to be the first pictures of the all-new Audi A3, which is scheduled to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show.
The pictures, which have leaked on to the web and which have not yet been verified by Audi, show the new Audi A3 with a more aggressive look than the current model, with slimmer headlights and a deep front bumper featuring large airvents. The sides feature a pronounced swage lines and an acute C-pillar kink.
The interior shots 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 of the forthcoming A3. The system centres around 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.
Two rocker switches are ahead of the touchwheel; one operating the telephone and navigation and the other controlling the media and radio systems. Four softkeys to the side of the wheel navigate through the menus and two behind the wheel directly access the main menus. A separate volume control with skip function completes the interface.
The structure of the menu system has been revised. The player and media centre are clearly separated and song titles, albums and artists can be located via a free text search.
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.
The new MMI has been designed to remove risk of obsolescence by incorporating a new Multi Media eXtension (MMX) board, which uses flash memory to make updating easy. The board itself can also be replaced.
Optionally available will be Audi Phone Box, which utilises contactless technology to improve phone connectivity. In the future, Audi hopes to introduce contactless charging.
A head-up display will be offered, projecting key information to appear 2.3 metres ahead of the driver. Future displays will project navigation data in the correct position in the real world environment. As a driver approaches a junction, the HUD will display a transparent route arrow precisely at the real junction. At a distance of 10 metres, the arrow will appear the same size as a physical arrow on the pavement.
Other developments will enable the car to show the direction the road will take after a hillcrest, the distance to the car ahead and the direction pedestrians in the road are heading.
An electromagnetic parking brake replaces the manual handbrake on the current car.
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Re: New Audi A3 pictures leak out
Fidji wrote the following post at Feb 22, 2012 5:07 PM:
When these things go out of fashion, they'll go out fast. Audi had better had something up its sleeve for when this happens. Things could go downhill if they're not careful...
I agree . This is just the same as VW done with the mkV to VI Golf except this time its the mkII to mkIII A3 .
It is the same from the side as far as I can see with maybe just a new from and rear and new interior so not much really then and certainly not a totally new car . It is rather boring I think .
Re: New Audi A3 pictures leak out
Not true, I had a good look at both before I chose my A3. There is little in it between the way they drive, the Golf having a more compliant ride. The A3 looks better (in my opinion) and has a much nicer cabin and overall more space with a bigger boot too (in the Sportback version). The A3 was cheaper too (Sport V GT) so it wasn't like I even had to pay more for the privilage of better residuals.
This is just more of the usual Audi bashing, don't let the facts get in the way of your arguement will you.
Re: New Audi A3 pictures leak out
I think I'd wait until the new Golf came out. VW's at this level tend to be better than their Audi equivalents anyway. The Golf is far better than the A3 to drive and it is cheaper and provided you are not a badge snob this makes sense. The Golf is perfectly well built and unless they take a step backwards with the new Golf then I suspect it will equal the Audi. Residuals are better in the A3 but not enough to really worry about.