2013 Audi A3 Sportback

While the car's exterior dimensions at 4,310mm (169.7 inches) long, 1,780mm (70.1 inches) and 1,425mm (56.1 inches) tall are only slightly greater than on the previous Sportback, the new model now rides on a 2,636 millimeters (103.8 inches), an increase of 58 millimeters (2.28 in).

The five-door model is also 35 millimeters (1.38 in) longer between the axles than the three-door version resulting in an increase in rear passenger legroom. The luggage compartment offers 380 liters (13.42 cu ft) of space in the basic configuration and can be expanded to 1,220 liters (43.08 cu ft) with the rear seats (60:40 split) folded down.

Just like the three-door A3, the Sportback benefits from a significant weight reduction by as much as 90 kilograms (199 pounds) compared with the previous version. According to Audi, when equipped with the 1.4 TFSI engine, the five-door model has a curb weight (without driver) of just 1,205 kilograms (2,657 lbs).

Speaking about engines (and as you will soon find out, lot's of numbers...), in Europe, the new A3 Sportback will launch with a choice of one TDI and two TFSI units, with more diesel and gasoline units to follow in late 2013.

Audi didn't reveal the output numbers of the base 1.6-liter TDI diesel, but it did say that with this engine and a six-speed manual gearbox, the Sportback accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 10.9 seconds and tops out at 194 km/h (121mph). We are also told that it consumers 3.8 lt/100km (61.9 US mpg or 74.3mpg UK) on average with CO2 emissions of 99 g/km (159.33 g/mile).

The diesel range includes two more 2.0-liter engines. The 148Hp (150PS) and 320Nm (236 lb-ft) version takes the A3 Sportback from zero to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds en route to a top speed of 213 km/h (133 mph). Average fuel consumption is 4.6lt/100km (51.1 mpg US or 61.4mpg UK), corresponding to CO2 emissions of 120 g/km (193.12 g/mile).

The 181Hp (184PS) and 380Nm (280.27 lb-ft) variant of the 2.0TDI accelerates the car to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 232km/h (144mph), and has a combined fuel consumption of 4.3 lt/100km (54.7 mpg US or 65.7mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 111h/km (178.64 g/mile).

The petrol range kicks off with a 1.2-liter TFSI, producing 104HP (105PS) and 175Nm (129 lb-ft) of torque. With the dual-clutch S tronic, it accelerates the A3 Sportback to 100km/h (62mph) in 10.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 193km/h (120 mph). Average fuel consumption is 4.9lt/100km (48mpg US or 57.7 mpg UK), corresponding to CO2 emissions of 114 g/km (183.47 g/mile).

Next up is the new 1.4-liter TFSI that weighs 21kg (46.30 lb) less than its predecessor. The four-cylinder unit generates 121HP (122PS) and 200Nm (147.51 lb-ft) of torque for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 9.3 seconds and a max speed of 203km/h (126mph). It consumes 5.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (44.4mpg US or 53.3mpg UK), which corresponds to 123 g/km of CO2 (197.95 g/mile).

Later in 2013, Audi will enhance the range with a more powerful version of the 1.4-liter TFSIproducing 138Hp (140PS) 250Nm (184.4 lb-ft) of torque, which also features the VW Group's cylinder on demand (COD) system that deactivates the second and third cylinders to intermediate loads and while coasting.

With this engine, the Sportback will hit 100km/h from standstill in 8.4 seconds and top out at 213km/h (132mph). It will return an average fuel consumption of 4.7lt/100 km (50.05 mpg US or 60mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 110 g/km (177.03 g/mile).

The gasoline engine lineup will also include a 1.8-liter TFSI rated at 177Hp (180PS) and 250Nm (184.4 lb-ft) of torque allowing for a 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) time of 7.3 seconds, top speed of 232 km/h (144mph) and average fuel consumption of 5.6lt/100 km (42mpg US or 60.1mpg UK) corresponding to 130g/km of CO2 (209.2 g/mile).

All engines in the new A3 Sportback are paired to a standard six-speed manual gearbox with an S tronic dual clutch transmission available as an option. Certain models will also be available with Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system.

The Ingolstadt-based carmaker said that in 2013, it will enhance the range with an S3 performance variant and a special model namedTCNG fitted with a 109Hp (109PS) engine that emits below 30 g/km (48.28 g/mile) and consumes "Audi e-gas", which the company says it "produces itself in sustainable manner".

In 2014, the range will be expanded with the A3 Sportback e-tron sporting what Audi describes as "a powerful plug-in hybrid drive".

The new A3 Sportback will go on sale in Europe early next year starting with Germany in February for base price of €22,500. No word if and when the Sportback will come to North America.

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2013 Audi S3 Sport Hatch

At the heart of the car lies a newly developed 2.0-liter TFSI direct-injection and turbocharged gasoline engine that belongs to the EA888 engine family.

The new powerplant weighs around five kilograms (11 pounds) less than the previous EA113 2.0 TFSI and is also much more powerful delivering 296Hp (300PS) at 5,500 rpm and 380 Nm (280.27 lb-ft) of torque between 1,800 and 5,500 rpm, an increase of 35Hp and 30Nm respectively. It redlines at 6,800 rpm.

Power is transferred to all-four wheels via a standard six-speed manual gearbox or an optional S tronic dual clutch transmission with the same number of gears and Audi's quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

Audi quotes a zero to 100km/h (62mph) acceleration time of 5.1 seconds with the S tronic and 5.4 seconds with the stick shift and an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) regardless of the transmission choice. For reference, the outgoing S3 with a manual gearbox completed the standard sprint in 5.8 seconds.

As for fuel economy, the new S3 S Tronic needs 6.9 liters of fuel per 100 km /34.1 US mpg (manual: 7.0 liters / 33.6 US mpg), an improvement of 1.5 liters compared to the previous version, with corresponding CO2 emissions of 159 (162) g/km (255.89 and 260.17 g/mile).

The new S3 tips the scales at 1,395 kilograms (3,075 lb), making it 60kg (132.3 pounds) lighter than the car it replaces.

Audi's engineers have tweaked the chassis to improve the S3's handling over the regular three-door model. The upgrades include a sport suspension that lowers the body by 25mm (0.98 in) compared with the A3, a new set of brakes and the optional electromagnetic damper control system (Audi magnetic ride).

The S3 is set apart from its lesser siblings (but not so much from the S Line-equipped models) by a styling package consisting of an S-specific single-frame grille with an aluminum-look finish, standard LED daytime running lights, a different front bumper, aluminum-look mirror caps, side skirts, roof spoiler and a redesigned rear bumper housing a diffuser and quad tailpipes. It rolls on 18-inch wheels 225/40-series tires.

Inside, the "S" treatment brings a flat-bottom sports steering wheel, decorative inlays in matt brushed aluminum or a black 3D look, gray instrument dials, sport seats optionally available with diamond quilting (as seen in these images) and S logos used throughout the cabin.

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2013 Audi A3 Sportback

The artist shortened the front doors to create space for a second set of doors behind while also making the necessary changes to the roofline and the side windows, the styling of which is similar to the outgoing Sportback.

It is possible that, like the previous model, the new A3 Sportback will be slightly longer than the base three-door body to improve rear cabin space and the luggage compartment.

Other than that, the Sportback won't differ from the regular A3 sharing the same range of turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines with full details to be released within the next few weeks.

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Audi 335HP RS3 Sportback

German automaker decided to respond to consistent demand with an additional, strictly limited production run of 250 cars.

The second batch of UK-market RS3 Sportbacks will be available at the same £39,930 OTR price as the original 500 car quota for Britain.

The hottest model of the A3 series makes do with a punchy 2.5-litre turbocharged inline-five petrol engine delivering 335hp (340PS) and 450Nm (332 lb-ft) to all four wheels through a standard seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission.

The RS3 Sportback passes the 62mph (100km/h) yardstick after 4.6 seconds and has an electronically governed top speed of 155mph (250km/h). While certainly not a selling point for interested buyers, for the record, the hot hatch returns up to 31mpg UK in the combined cycle test.

Standard features for the UK model include leather-upholstered sports seats with silver contrasting stitching, Piano black or Aluminium Race look inlays, a flat-bottomed RS steering wheel, acoustic rear parking sensors, electronic climate control, DVD-based satellite navigation with MMI and xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights.

On the options list you will find front bucket seats, roof rails in matt aluminium look and styling packages in black or matt aluminium.

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2013 Audi A3 Three-Door Hatch

On the outside, despite having a slightly more aggressive front boasting Audi's new family face with the six-point grille and "angrier" headlamps, the new A3 could easily be mistaken for a facelifted version of the current model.

We expect the A3 to get a fresh line of engines that should include the VW Group's new 1.4-liter TSI with cylinder deactivation technology straight from launch.

As for the interior, the A3 sports a very clean and stylish layout with minimal use of buttons.

Though we remain short on official details, at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Audi told us that among the many features introduced in the new A3 is an electromechanical parking brake and the next generation of Audi's MMI infotainment system, with the controls for both systems located on the center tunnel console.

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