Audi: A3, S3, RS3 News
#83
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Audi making good on promise to bring five-door A3 Sportback to States
Audi making good on promise to bring five-door A3 Sportback to States - - By AUTOWEEK
Next summer Audi makes good on its promise to bring its five-door A3 Sportback to the United States. For now, we'll have to make due with these first pictures of the German company's entry-level performance car. The A3 makes its world debut this fall at the Paris motor show.
A3, which shares a chassis and some powertrain parts with the new Volkswagen Golf, arrives in May 2005 at about the same time parent company VW graces us with its Golf, which has been on sale in Europe since the end of last year.
Audi says its 2006 A3 fits into the "premium compact class" occupied by competitors like the BMW 1 Series, Mini Cooper, Saab 9-2X and Volvo S40, a market segment automakers bet will take off in the next few years.
A3 initially comes to the States with a single engine option, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four that produces 200 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. Transmissions include a choice of a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic. Only front-wheel drive is available the first year. The following model year Audi is expected to up the ante with a 3.2-liter, 250-hp, 236-lb-ft V6, a six-speed, twin-automatic clutch Direct Shift Gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive.
Audi isn't talking pricing yet, but most competitors start at about $25,000. Look for the A3 to sticker in that price range, just under the A4's starting price of $26,000.
Next summer Audi makes good on its promise to bring its five-door A3 Sportback to the United States. For now, we'll have to make due with these first pictures of the German company's entry-level performance car. The A3 makes its world debut this fall at the Paris motor show.
A3, which shares a chassis and some powertrain parts with the new Volkswagen Golf, arrives in May 2005 at about the same time parent company VW graces us with its Golf, which has been on sale in Europe since the end of last year.
Audi says its 2006 A3 fits into the "premium compact class" occupied by competitors like the BMW 1 Series, Mini Cooper, Saab 9-2X and Volvo S40, a market segment automakers bet will take off in the next few years.
A3 initially comes to the States with a single engine option, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four that produces 200 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. Transmissions include a choice of a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic. Only front-wheel drive is available the first year. The following model year Audi is expected to up the ante with a 3.2-liter, 250-hp, 236-lb-ft V6, a six-speed, twin-automatic clutch Direct Shift Gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive.
Audi isn't talking pricing yet, but most competitors start at about $25,000. Look for the A3 to sticker in that price range, just under the A4's starting price of $26,000.
#84
Fahrvergnügen'd
I can see some people that were looking at a GTI who might go with the A3 because of the free maintenance and better service Audi offers.
$25000 for an A3 seems a tad high to me but I don't know what kind of content it's going to offer. I figure if it starts at $25000 then the S3 is going to probably be around $30k ... That puts it in some interesting territory with the WRX STi, the Evo 8, and the 350Z. Even with 250hp and Quattro I don't know how well it's going to do. I guess it just has to outsell the VW R32 to be a success.
$25000 for an A3 seems a tad high to me but I don't know what kind of content it's going to offer. I figure if it starts at $25000 then the S3 is going to probably be around $30k ... That puts it in some interesting territory with the WRX STi, the Evo 8, and the 350Z. Even with 250hp and Quattro I don't know how well it's going to do. I guess it just has to outsell the VW R32 to be a success.
#86
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Originally Posted by charliemike
I can see some people that were looking at a GTI who might go with the A3 because of the free maintenance and better service Audi offers.
$25000 for an A3 seems a tad high to me but I don't know what kind of content it's going to offer. I figure if it starts at $25000 then the S3 is going to probably be around $30k ... That puts it in some interesting territory with the WRX STi, the Evo 8, and the 350Z. Even with 250hp and Quattro I don't know how well it's going to do. I guess it just has to outsell the VW R32 to be a success.
$25000 for an A3 seems a tad high to me but I don't know what kind of content it's going to offer. I figure if it starts at $25000 then the S3 is going to probably be around $30k ... That puts it in some interesting territory with the WRX STi, the Evo 8, and the 350Z. Even with 250hp and Quattro I don't know how well it's going to do. I guess it just has to outsell the VW R32 to be a success.
if it starts at 25 the s3 will be at 35 to 38! Thats pretty damn high.
#88
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anyone see the new A8 wagonish thing coming out, now that is hot...a lot for a wagon but man does it look good, in the new autoweek if im not mistaken
#89
Drifting
BlackTSX, the A8 sportback is in this month's C&D (or was it Automobile?) and yes, it's definitely way hot!!!
More manufacturers should do more wagons and less SUV's these days.....
More manufacturers should do more wagons and less SUV's these days.....
#90
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Originally Posted by ostrich
BlackTSX, the A8 sportback is in this month's C&D (or was it Automobile?) and yes, it's definitely way hot!!!
More manufacturers should do more wagons and less SUV's these days.....
More manufacturers should do more wagons and less SUV's these days.....
#92
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Originally Posted by ostrich
BlackTSX, the A8 sportback is in this month's C&D (or was it Automobile?) and yes, it's definitely way hot!!!
More manufacturers should do more wagons and less SUV's these days.....
More manufacturers should do more wagons and less SUV's these days.....
My Bad I knew it was in one of the two, just finished looking through the autoweek that must be why
#96
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It is almost never the case that the price is some different market translates into the price of the vehicle when it makes it to the US. For one thing most cars outside of the US have some sort of tax built into the price and secondly most manufacturers build a US specific model which is different (therefore priced differently) that other markets.
#97
Actually, the Audi A3 and the Golf are not really "built on the same platform". Volkswagen has (thankfully) walked away from the platform sharing approach and now uses what they refer to as "component sharing". So, the new Audi and the Golf will share powertrains, suspension setups, interior materials, et al., but they are not really built on the same 'platform' perse to the same extent as before. The Golf IV platform serviced a buttload of cars that looked very similar: Golf, Jetta, Audi A3, Seat Leon, Seat Toledo, several Skoda brands, etc. Similarly, the Audi A4, A6 and Passat shared a platform before, whereas now they do not.
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Audi A3 starts at $25,460 - - By Dale Jewett -- Source: Automotive News
DETROIT -- Audi's new A3 wagon will carry a suggested base price of $25,460 when it goes on sale in mid May. The price includes a $720 destination charge.
The base A3 is equipped with a 200-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and six-speed manual transmission. For an extra $1,400, the A3 can be equipped with Audi's advanced dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Base equipment on the A3 includes side curtain airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seats, stability control, automatic climate control, remote locking, power windows, 17-inch alloy wheels and a 140-watt sound system with in-dash CD. Side impact airbags for the rear seats are optional.
Two equipment packages are offered. The Sport package lists for $1,800 and adds 17-inch bi-color wheels, sport suspension, leather-covered steering wheel, fog lights, sport seats and leather seat covering.
The Premium package lists for $2,025 and adds a trip computer, auto-dimming mirror with rain sensor, power driver's seat, fog lights and leather seats.
Additional options include a cold weather package with heated seats, mirrors and washer nozzles; high-intensity discharge headlights; and a glass roof panel with sunroof over the front seats.
Audi said that all its dealers in the United States and Canada have an A3 available for test drives. It is offering an incentive of 33 free song downloads for those who take a test drive and a free Bose speaker system for those who order an A3.
The base A3 is equipped with a 200-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and six-speed manual transmission. For an extra $1,400, the A3 can be equipped with Audi's advanced dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Base equipment on the A3 includes side curtain airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seats, stability control, automatic climate control, remote locking, power windows, 17-inch alloy wheels and a 140-watt sound system with in-dash CD. Side impact airbags for the rear seats are optional.
Two equipment packages are offered. The Sport package lists for $1,800 and adds 17-inch bi-color wheels, sport suspension, leather-covered steering wheel, fog lights, sport seats and leather seat covering.
The Premium package lists for $2,025 and adds a trip computer, auto-dimming mirror with rain sensor, power driver's seat, fog lights and leather seats.
Additional options include a cold weather package with heated seats, mirrors and washer nozzles; high-intensity discharge headlights; and a glass roof panel with sunroof over the front seats.
Audi said that all its dealers in the United States and Canada have an A3 available for test drives. It is offering an incentive of 33 free song downloads for those who take a test drive and a free Bose speaker system for those who order an A3.
#103
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I like this car alot, and the price is right. Very nice, having a simple price structure with just a few comprehensive packages and options. I think it could do well here.
#106
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While I rather like Audi's, the new grille just doesn't look that great to me, though the 5 door body style is appealing.
However, having priced one out on the Audi USA website with just the essentials came to nearly $2k more than the TSX, with a lot less equipment, too. I just can't justify spending that kind of money on a mediocre looking car.
However, having priced one out on the Audi USA website with just the essentials came to nearly $2k more than the TSX, with a lot less equipment, too. I just can't justify spending that kind of money on a mediocre looking car.
#107
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Originally Posted by CGTSX2004
While I rather like Audi's, the new grille just doesn't look that great to me, though the 5 door body style is appealing.
However, having priced one out on the Audi USA website with just the essentials came to nearly $2k more than the TSX, with a lot less equipment, too. I just can't justify spending that kind of money on a mediocre looking car.
However, having priced one out on the Audi USA website with just the essentials came to nearly $2k more than the TSX, with a lot less equipment, too. I just can't justify spending that kind of money on a mediocre looking car.
Besides a higher initial purchase price, Ahh-dee's have a poor resale value problem VAG is desperate to fix. I'm sure there will be some great lease deals.
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Originally Posted by jdone
Correct pronunciation is Oww-dee(rhymes with ouch!). It's a latin word meaning "I hear".
Speaking of which, I'd hit an S3.
Anyone know if we're going to see S3's on our shore this model cycle?
#111
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Audi: S3/RS3 news **New S3 Sportback Revealed (page 2)**
Supposedly turbocharged 3.2-litre v6 @ 350 HP...
http://www.cartype.com/page.cfm?id=1055
The Audi RS3 will take the hot hatch brigade by storm and it is expected that this super car will have a power output of about 260kW. Audi insiders say that there will also be a less powerful S3 model.
At the heart of the 2006 RS3 will be a modified version of the current A3 range topper's 3.2-litre V6 engine. This unit will be turbocharged and will also feature FSI direct-injection technology and torque will be about 450Nm.
The RS3 will get a six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifts and will also have electrically assisted power steering. It will also feature upgraded brakes similar to that of the RS4.
Of course Audi's famous quattro four-wheel drive system will also be standard on the RS3.
The car's exterior will reflect its sporty nature. Like the new A6 and A8 W12 the RS3 will get the new Audi single frame grille which will dominate the nose design. A deep spoiler with large air intakes will finish of the muscular front-end.
Other sporty touches include wide side sills, heavily flared wheelarches and a tailgate spoiler.
Audi will also launch the RS3 in Sportback guise. The Audi A3 Sportback, which is a estate car, will be introduced later this year.
Early next year Audi will introduce an S3 model which will rival cars such as the Alfa 147 GTA. It will get a naturally aspirated version of the 3.2-litre V6 engine with a power output of about 210kW.
http://www.cartype.com/page.cfm?id=1055
The Audi RS3 will take the hot hatch brigade by storm and it is expected that this super car will have a power output of about 260kW. Audi insiders say that there will also be a less powerful S3 model.
At the heart of the 2006 RS3 will be a modified version of the current A3 range topper's 3.2-litre V6 engine. This unit will be turbocharged and will also feature FSI direct-injection technology and torque will be about 450Nm.
The RS3 will get a six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifts and will also have electrically assisted power steering. It will also feature upgraded brakes similar to that of the RS4.
Of course Audi's famous quattro four-wheel drive system will also be standard on the RS3.
The car's exterior will reflect its sporty nature. Like the new A6 and A8 W12 the RS3 will get the new Audi single frame grille which will dominate the nose design. A deep spoiler with large air intakes will finish of the muscular front-end.
Other sporty touches include wide side sills, heavily flared wheelarches and a tailgate spoiler.
Audi will also launch the RS3 in Sportback guise. The Audi A3 Sportback, which is a estate car, will be introduced later this year.
Early next year Audi will introduce an S3 model which will rival cars such as the Alfa 147 GTA. It will get a naturally aspirated version of the 3.2-litre V6 engine with a power output of about 210kW.
#112
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2006 Audi A3 Sportback S-line Quattro - - By MATT DAVIS - - Source: Autoweek
AT A GLANCE:
2006 AUDI A3 SPORTBACK S-LINE QUATTRO
ON SALE: Now
BASE PRICE: $34,700
POWERTRAIN: 3.2-liter, 250-hp, 236-lb-ft V6; awd, six-speed DSG
CURB WEIGHT: 3500 lbs (est.)
0 TO 60 MPH: 5.9 seconds (mfr.)
FUEL MILEAGE (EPA combined): 23.3 mpg
It is appropriate to be piloting this Audi A3 Sportback S-line quattro fitted with a 3.2-liter, 250-hp VR6, six-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission and optional Toucan yellow paint along these sunny, autumn roads. It’s Germany and wide-open is how this car likes it.
Not surprisingly, the A3 Sportback 3.2 quattro behaves much like a similarly equipped TT tested in March 2004.
This A3 lets you leave the drive in fully automatic mode for less fuel consumption, but the DSG paddle shifts’ high revs is the exciting and wasteful way to go. The car could benefit from a Sport mode to make the shifts pop more if desired; and while we’re wishing, a redline set higher than 6400 revs would be nice, too. Feel at the wheel via the electro-mechanic steering is on the soft side; after a while you know better how to work it to get from it what you seek.
The major A3 criticism comes in its power-to-weight ratio: At roughly 3500 pounds it needs poke closer to 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Trouble is when its narrow 15-degree V6 mounts transversely, anything more than 250 hp can cause too much mechanical stress and heat excess already generated by co-located cylinder banks. At the VW Group, all quattro models at or below 250 hp get transverse engines and a Haldex center differential; anything above 250 hp sits longitudinally and gets a Torsen differential.
American drivers receive a standard eight-way adjustable sport seat, spring and damper rates calibrated for slightly more rigidity than the Euro models, and an aero trim package front and rear. U.S. Sportback 3.2s come with launch control standard, so have fun in the snow.
2006 AUDI A3 SPORTBACK S-LINE QUATTRO
ON SALE: Now
BASE PRICE: $34,700
POWERTRAIN: 3.2-liter, 250-hp, 236-lb-ft V6; awd, six-speed DSG
CURB WEIGHT: 3500 lbs (est.)
0 TO 60 MPH: 5.9 seconds (mfr.)
FUEL MILEAGE (EPA combined): 23.3 mpg
It is appropriate to be piloting this Audi A3 Sportback S-line quattro fitted with a 3.2-liter, 250-hp VR6, six-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission and optional Toucan yellow paint along these sunny, autumn roads. It’s Germany and wide-open is how this car likes it.
Not surprisingly, the A3 Sportback 3.2 quattro behaves much like a similarly equipped TT tested in March 2004.
This A3 lets you leave the drive in fully automatic mode for less fuel consumption, but the DSG paddle shifts’ high revs is the exciting and wasteful way to go. The car could benefit from a Sport mode to make the shifts pop more if desired; and while we’re wishing, a redline set higher than 6400 revs would be nice, too. Feel at the wheel via the electro-mechanic steering is on the soft side; after a while you know better how to work it to get from it what you seek.
The major A3 criticism comes in its power-to-weight ratio: At roughly 3500 pounds it needs poke closer to 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Trouble is when its narrow 15-degree V6 mounts transversely, anything more than 250 hp can cause too much mechanical stress and heat excess already generated by co-located cylinder banks. At the VW Group, all quattro models at or below 250 hp get transverse engines and a Haldex center differential; anything above 250 hp sits longitudinally and gets a Torsen differential.
American drivers receive a standard eight-way adjustable sport seat, spring and damper rates calibrated for slightly more rigidity than the Euro models, and an aero trim package front and rear. U.S. Sportback 3.2s come with launch control standard, so have fun in the snow.
#116
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Originally Posted by deandorsey
BASE PRICE: $34,700
i wonder what that includes
i wonder what that includes
#117
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Originally Posted by titan
For that price? Everything under the sun. The regular A3 will start around $10K less, I think.
#118
The sizzle in the Steak
Hot hatch!!!!
#119
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Originally Posted by Yumchah
#120
Originally Posted by biker
If the A3 line has some success, BMW will want to move up the US entry of its 1 series.