Here's What the New Model of the Smallest Audi in India Will Look Like

Audi has revealed the A3 sedan facelift, updating its entry-level luxury compact sedan for the 2017 model year. First launched in 2013 internationally, the facelift brings subtle changes to the styling of the model, giving it a refreshing appearance while keeping up with the automaker's new design language. The interiors too have been updated with more tech wizardry for owners to fiddle around with.

2017 Audi A3 Front Profile

Talking about the exterior upgrades, the biggest change on the 2017 Audi A3 is the inclusion of Matrix LED headlamps, a feature first seen on the flagship A8 sedan and the R8 super car. The new A3 not only gets Matrix LEDs, but also revised headlamp cluster mimicking the new generation A4. That said, Bi-xenon lights come as standard on the sedan, while the LEDs are optional. The front grille has also been updated along the lines of the new A4, while the bumper gets larger air intakes. The side and rear profile get minimal changes with only the LED tail lamps receiving some tweaks.

2017 Audi A3 Side Profile

The feature list on the 2017 Audi A3 has been revised as well and comes from the larger models in the company's lineup. While the overall layout inside the cabin remains the same, the updates are several with the most notable being the inclusion of the Virtual Cockpit as an option. The all-digital instrument cluster that debuted on the new generation TT looks impressive on the A3 as well with a 12.3-inch screen housed in place of the conventional dials.

2017 Audi A3 Interior

There is also a new 7-inch display unit for the MMI interface offering Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. In terms of safety, new A3 has been upgraded with adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, active lane assist and emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The updates also extend to the A3 Cabriolet that is also sold in India.

Audi has revised the engine lineup internationally and has added a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder unit with 115hp for the base trims, whereas a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo motor producing 190hp will serve duty on the top variants. A new 1.6-litre turbocharged diesel engine with 110hp will also be available as a more efficient option. The range-topping S3 performance version though continues with the motor but gets 10hp more, taking the total output to 310hp.

2017 Audi A3 Rear Profile

The Audi A3 arrived in India in late 2014 and one can expect the 2017 A3 facelift to be launched towards the end of this year or in early 2017. The model though will retain its current engine lineup inclusive of the 1.8-litre TSI petrol with a 7-speed S tronic transmission, as well as the 2.0-litre TDI diesel paired to the 6-speed S tronic transmission. It will be interesting to see if Audi India offers the Matrix LED headlamps on the India spec model as optional.