Lyna Mohammad
If you believe that first impressions count, the fourth generation of the Audi A3 Sedan may just be the first impression you are looking for.
The fourth generation Audi A3 Sedan makes a bold statement with wider and more planted stance, redefining the compact luxury class and combining the striking new design language with advanced technologies and an even more engaging driving experience.
The A3 Sedan, with its more muscular and sculpted design, generates a completely new presence featuring new Singleframe treatment with distinctive honeycomb finish, flanked by LED headlights that give the front end a sharper, more purposeful look, while the more sculptured, muscular flanks and 17-inch alloy wheels only add to the athletic impression.
On the outside, they form trapezoidal angles that are drawn downward. In the top model with Matrix LED technology, this is where the new digital daytime running lights are housed, which consist of a pixel array made up of 15 LED segments that can be actuated individually and give the various versions of the A3 Sedan a specific signature.
The body line on the Sedan extends up to the rear bumper and emphasises its length, giving the flank an elegant appearance. Drawing the eye to the sedan is the roof line that, like on a coupe, slopes down from the B-pillar dynamically and finishes in a striking spoiler on the tailgate.
To many, the streamlined body is eye-catching with the aerodynamics benefitting from the higher rear end compared with the predecessor, as well as the large diffuser. It is further enhanced by the panelled underbody, the exterior mirrors with improved aerodynamics, and the active brake cooling reduce air resistance and make for a streamlined vehicle.
In addition, the good looks complement the inside and the performance. The A3 Sedan offers a spry driving demeanor, beautifully executed and high-tech interior as well as fuel efficiency. Inside the A3 Sedan is a cabin that is more spacious than before and seamlessly marries luxury with cutting-edge technology.
Under the bold exterior design of the modern Audi A3 lies an innovative interior offering more than meets the eye. The multifaceted interior is elegant and uncluttered while the dash layout combines advanced technology with timeless design and the orientation towards the driver, placing all controls and vehicle functions within easy reach.
Behind the wheels of the A3 Sedan, the driver gets Audi drive select, which offers driving modes comprised of Efficient, Dynamic, Auto or Individual, enabling the selection of varying levels of comfort or sportiness. The Individual mode allows the customisation of settings in different parameters to suit the driver’s preference, where one can choose the mode best suited to one’s individual driving style. Alternatively, one might opt for more dynamics, more comfort, or a custom combination of the two while the efficiency mode can help save fuel.
The A3 Sedan is highly connected, from infotainment to driver assistance. With the top infotainment system in the new A3 Sedan is the MMI Navigation plus, which uses the third-generation modular infotainment platform (MIB 3). The MIB 3 boasts computing power 10 times higher than in the predecessor model.
The A3 Sedan is also connected to smartphones via the Audi smartphone interface, integrating iOS and Android cell phones with Apple Car Play and Android Auto in the MMI while personalisation allows up to six users to store their preferred settings in individual profiles, including those for the seat, climate control and media.
All in all, the new A3 is more than just a sedan as the 2023 Audi A3 packs a lot of premium content into its compact four-door body, and it also features spry handling and strong performance.
Digitally and fully connected from the infotainment through to the assists systems, beneath the Audi A3’s elegant body are new drives and refined suspension tuning which ensure a driving experience that is as efficient as it is dynamic.
Presented in a sporty and elegant look, the new A3 Sedan is now four centimetres (cm) longer at 4.5 metres (m) compared with its predecessor, while its wheelbase remains unchanged.
Its width has also increased by two cm to 1.82m and is now one cm taller at 1.43m, and this has yielded an increase in headroom of a good two cm in the front thanks to the lower position of the driver seat and some more elbow room.
As for the luggage capacity, it is exactly the same as in the predecessor model.