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Audi A3 (2012) UK pricing announced

Thu, 07 Jun 2012

Audi has priced up the third generation A3 hatchback, due to go on sale in September 2012.

With the range starting at £19,205 and rising to £26,560 - before you've tackled Audi's infamous options list - the new A3 looks to be gunning straight for the new BMW 1-series.

How does the new Audi A3 model range shape up?

Mercifully, Audi has streamlined the range to keep things simple. At launch, there are three engines to choose from: a petrol 1.4 TFSI with 120bhp, a petrol 1.8 TFSI producing 178bhp, and the all-important diesel motor: a 148bhp 2.0 TDI.

For more technical details, check out CAR's first drive review of the new Audi A3 here.

Each engine is availiable in either SE, Sport, or S line trim, and while the 1.4 petrol and 2.0 diesel motors are paired with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, the 1.8 is availaible only with Audi's seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission.

What are the spec levels on the new Audi A3?

Entry level SE models come as standard with 16-inch alloys, air-conditioning, Bluetooth and Audi's familiar MMI control interface with a folding dashboard-mounted screen.

Upgrading to Sport trim buys you 17-inch wheels, Audi's 'Drive Select' adpative controls for vehicle set-up, as well as climate control and sports seats.

Finally, top-of-the-range S line A3s are distinguished by 18-inch alloys, the sharper S line body styling, xenon headlights and part-leather upholstery. Further packages to add infotainment extras, interior upgrades and sportier suspension will arrive in due course.

How do these details compare with the Audi A3's rivals?

Starting at £19,205, the A3 cheekily undercuts the base-spec BMW 1-series by around £100, though the BMW has more powerful engines  - a 116i is good for 136bhp - the 1.4 A3 has 120bhp. Mercedes has yet to announce prices for its radically different third-generation A-class, though we'd expect to see prices start somewhere very close to Audi's £19k benchmark.

Audi might have played it very safe on the styling front for this new A3 model, but there's method in Audi's lack of madness - the brand's sales swelled by 19% in 2011, with the A3 maintaining strong sales despite being based on a platform that dates from 2003.

We'd expect to see that success continue when the new Audi A3 goes on sale in the UK from September 2012.

 


By Ollie Kew