Audi India launches 2017 A3 at Rs 30.50 lakh

Audi India has launched the facelifted A3 in India with prices starting at Rs 30.50 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the 1.4-litre petrol model, while the 2.0-litre diesel variant costs Rs 32.3 lakh. The launch of the updated sedan follows almost two months after the launch of the facelifted Cabriolet in February this year.

Just like the Cabriolet, the A3 gets refreshed styling in line with the larger A4, such as new-design LED daytime running lamps, a more pronounced grille, re-profiled tail-lamps and restyled bumpers.

As before, the car offers a fair bit of kit such as LED headlmaps, two-zone climate control, a 7.0-inch screen for the MMI infotainment system, electronically adjustable front seats, a sunroof, a rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, a wireless phone charging pad in the front armrest and seven airbags. However, the A3 misses out on Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster. 

Under the hood, the refreshed A3 will use the same petrol engine as the A3 Cabriolet, with the older 1.8-litre unit replaced by the 150hp, 1.4-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol motor with cylinder-on-demand technology which allows the engine to run on only two cylinders, depending on driving conditions. The old model’s 143hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine is set to be carried forward unchanged.

”The A3 sedan, since its launch in India in 2014, has highlighted Audi’s expertise in design, technology and driving dynamics in a compact form. The new A3 is even sportier and introduces efficient engine technology that sets benchmarks in the industry. We are confident that it will attract a whole new set of Audi enthusiasts into the brand’s fold,” said Rahil Ansari, head, Audi India.

“This is our fifth launch for the year out of the 10 launches we have planned. 2017 is the year for ‘Audi Reloaded’ and we will continue to offer the best of luxury mobility solution by introducing new models in exciting body types and new segments, on similar lines as with the A3, A3 Cabriolet and Q3 in recent years,” added Ansari. 

The facelifted Audi A3 goes head to head with the Mercedes-Benz CLA.