The 2020 Audi A3 Saloon is expected in Ireland in the autumnAudi Ireland has confirmed the new 2020 Audi A3 Saloon for Ireland. The arrival of the fourth generation Audi A3 sportback (hatchback) will be followed by a handsome new saloon this autumn. Pricing is expected to be announced this summer.
The Audi A3 Saloon first debuted in 2013 and has been a very popular addition to the compact A3 range. Now the small four door saloon has been refined and updated in this latest generation of the car. The A3 Saloon complements Audi’s saloon range, slotting in below the Audi A4, updated in 2019, and the new generation Audi A6.
What’s new for the 2020 Audi A3 Saloon?
The new A3 Saloon has the same wheelbase as the outgoing car but is now 4 centimetres longer. Width has increased by 2 centimetres, while its taller by just 1 centimetre! Along with a lowered driving seat, Audi says there is 2 centimetres more headroom in the front. They also claim some additional elbow room. At 425 litres, the luggage capacity is exactly the same as in the predecessor model.
The styling has been updated though this is still very much recognisable as an A3 Saloon. Styling updates were previewed in the 2020 Audi A3 Sportback previewed some months ago. The A3 Saloon has a similar front end with large ‘Singleframe’ honeycomb grille flanked by striking headlights. The separate boot and rear styling distinguish it from the hatchback. In fact the Saloon is 15 centimetres longer than the A3 Sportback.
Engine options for the new A3
Audi tell us that aerodynamics have been improved by a higher rear end compared with the predecessor, as well as a large diffuser. At launch, there will be a choice of two TFSI petrol engines and one TDI diesel engine. The 35 TFSI is a 1.5-litre direct injection engine with 150 PS. It’s available with a newly developed six-speed manual transmission and with a quick-shifting seven-speed S tronic.
Besides the cylinder on demand technology, the powertrain in conjunction with the S tronic dual-clutch transmission uses a 48-volt mild hybrid system. It recovers energy during deceleration, supports the engine with up to 50 Nm of torque when driving off and accelerating from low engine speeds. It also allows the A3 Saloon to coast with the engine switched off in many situations. In everyday driving, Audi says it reduces consumption by up to 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres.
A 1.0 TFSI three-cylinder engine with 110PS will follow. There’s also a 2.0 TDI with 150PS badged ’35 TDI’ with a lower powered ’30 TDI’ expected also.
Inside the 2020 Audi A3 SaloonInside the new Audi A3 Saloon
Audi has been updating the technology inside there cars for an even more contemporary finish. The new A3 Saloon will benefit from an all new interior entirely focused on the driver, with the latest Audi MMI 10.1″ touch display. A digital 10.25″ instrument cluster behind the steering wheel will be standard. As the Audi virtual cockpit plus, it measures 12.3 inches. It offers three different views, including sporty graphics.
MMI Navigation plus will be the flagship infotainment system. It uses the third-generation modular infotainment platform (MIB 3), boasting computing power ten times higher than in the previous model! It also connects the car via LTE Advanced speed, and connects the smartphones of the passengers to the Internet via Wi-Fi hotspot. The MMI Navigation plus offers a multitude of Audi connect services as standard. These include online traffic information, news, and additional information such as photos, opening times, and user reviews relating to points of interest. If the car is switched off, the myAudi app continues navigation from the car on a smartphone.
The A3 Saloon is also connected to smartphones via the standard Audi smartphone interface. It integrates iOS and Android smartphones with Apple Car Play and Android Auto in the MMI, as well as via the standard Audi phone box with inductive charging. The A3 Saloon can be locked and unlocked as well as started via an Android smartphone with the optional Audi connect key. Personalisation allows up to six users to store their preferred settings in individual profiles, including those for climate control. The DAB+ digital radio comes as standard.
Audi A3 Saloon pricing for Ireland to be announced closer to launchAnything else?
While we wait for the 2020 Audi A3 Saloon to arrive later in the year, check out what we thought of the 2017 Audi A3 Saloon 1.6 TDI! If you would like to read more Audi saloon reviews: