Audi A3 Facelift spotted testing; expected India launch late 2016 or early 2017
The Audi A3 compact sedan was launched in India in 2014 after the German manufacturer decided to add a sedan to its A3 family range the previous year. The relatively young entry-level luxury sedan is expected to receive a mid-life facelift by the end of 2016 or the beginning of the following year.
Signs of the facelifted A3 have come thick and fast with the spotted test mules lately. It would draw design inspirations from the fifth generation Audi A4 and its cosmetic changes are expected to be applied over the entire range of models to stay on course with the brand’s latest design language just like the recently launched Audi Q7 SUV.
The fifth-gen Audi A4 was first showcased at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Its front-fascia will more or less be replicated on the facelifted A3 with prominent changes being the new Matrix LED lights at the front, single frame hexagonal grille as seen in the new Q7, redesigned front and rear bumpers and reshaped air intakes. The rear styling would see revised graphics on the tail lamps as similar to the A4 with new exhaust design and bespoke alloy wheels.
On the inside, apart from the trim, upholstery and colour modifications, the Audi A3 facelift will feature the all-new Audi Virtual Cockpit system. It integrates the analogy dials on the instrument cluster and central display screen into one complete unit and can be configured into many preferential ways.
First introduced on the Audi TT sports car and made its way into the R8 super car, the Virtual Cockpit display could more likely be offered on the range-topping models. Other expected features are Apple CarPlay function and new touchscreen infotainment system.
The current powertrain offerings for the Indian market are: a 1.8-litre TFSI petrol unit producing 177 bhp mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic automatic transmission and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI diesel engine making 143bhp and 320 Nm of peak torque linked to a six-speed dual-clutch S tronic transmission.
This engine line-up is expected to remain unchanged, however, a 1.8-litre TFSI petrol unit with 190hp incorporating cylinder deactivation technology and improved fuel efficiency was also mooted earlier whilst an all-new 2.0-litre diesel power unit could also find its way to Indian shores by ditching the existing turbodiesel.
Source: CarAdvice
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