Audi A3: more dynamic, more progressive, more emotional

After the model upgrade, the Audi A3 is sporting a dynamically striking front. The frameless Singleframe features a new structure with a flatter and wider design. The striking front spoiler connects the large, angular side air intakes and makes the Audi A3 appear lower in the front. The same is true of the rear, which has been significantly sharpened. It is now particularly sporty with its new bumper and distinctive diffuser.

But it is not only the exterior design of the Audi A3 that has been redesigned. There are quite a few innovations in the interior, too. For the first time, the A3 now features two decorative fabric inlays: a technical textured fabric that is also made from 100 percent recycled polyester and Dinamica microfiber. Dinamica looks and feels like suede but is partially made from recycled polyester. In addition to being a decorative inlay, Dinamica serves as a seat cover and, in some interior packages, decorates the door mirrors. The centre console, the S tronic shifter design and the air vents also feature a new look.

Particular emphasis was placed on the interior lighting. The standard interior lighting adds accents to the doors and in the footwell, and additional contour lighting elements on the centre console and door sills are available as options to enhance the feel-good atmosphere in the interior. The highlight of this emotional lighting design: the fabric panel on the front doors was laser-cut 300 times. Five segments are backlit by a light source in the door panel with a selection of 30 light colours. Their different sizes create a dynamic flow of light.


The exterior lighting design is also more progressive and more individual than ever. The LED and Matrix LED headlights create the digital daytime running lights using 24-pixel elements in three rows on the upper edge of the housing, emphasising the width of the exterior design. For the first time in the A3 series models, it is now possible to select and switch between up to four different digital daytime running light signatures in the MMI. This allows customers to change the appearance of their model at any time. Furthermore, the coming home/leaving home light scenarios were designed individually for each signature, and the tail lamps also feature a progressive rear light design and a new staging of the coming home/leaving home function.

The distinctive Audi A3 allstreet crossover model is a new addition to the A3 family. The sporty, robust look is characterised by design elements that emphasise the off-road character. The large octagonal radiator grille with its honeycomb structure sits higher than on the A3 Sportback, aligning the A3 allstreet more closely with the Q models. Unique to the allstreet, three grooves at the front and rear enhance the off-road character. The same is true for the vertically emphasised matte black Singleframe. At the front, the grooves are integrated into the distinctive spoiler lip, which is reminiscent of a skid plate, and at the rear into the diffuser as part of the robustly designed rear bumper. Dark rocker side skirts and trim in the lower door area visualise the car’s increased ground clearance. The standard roof rails elongate the roof line. At the same time, the overhangs appear shorter due to the wide wheel arch trims in Manhattan grey. The suspension of the A3 allstreet features a 15 mm higher ride height than the standard suspension in the A3 Sportback. Together with a larger wheel diameter of the standard 17-inch wheels, this results in 30 mm more ground clearance. Thanks to the slightly raised seat position, the A3 allstreet offers an SUV-like driving experience with a better command of the road and increased comfort when entering and exiting the vehicle.

The extended standard equipment of the Audi A3 with Functions on Demand ensures a high degree of flexibility – even after the vehicle has been purchased. With Functions on Demand, a total of up to five individual infotainment and comfort functions can be added online via the myAudi app – for one month, six months, one year, three years, or permanently, depending on the customer’s individual needs. In addition to MMI navigation plus, including Audi connect services, the A3 can be upgraded with the smartphone interface, which integrates iOS and Android smartphones into the MMI system via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Also available are adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist, and the ability to expand the standard air conditioning system with two-zone comfort air conditioning. If, for example, a long road trip is planned with the A3, upgrades such as the navigation and adaptive cruise assistant are useful additions for a preferred time period – for relaxed travel on long stretches of highway and targeted guidance in unfamiliar areas. This is customised adaptation at its best.