The new A3 will debut in March at the Geneva International
Motor Show, in
five-door Sportback guise. An A3
sedan will follow shortly after and there will once again be high-performance
RS 3 versions of each. This time around we won't
see an A3 Cabriolet, though.
The new A3 is more of a heavy update than a true redesign.
The car shares its MQB modular platform with the outgoing A3 but features new
systems for the all-wheel drive, suspension damping, and speed-sensitive
steering.
For the all-wheel drive, which will be standard on some
models but available on others, the system is able to adjust torque
distribution based in information gathered from suspension sensors, road
conditions, and driving style. In normal conditions most of the drive torque is
sent to the front wheels for maximum efficiency, but when necessary 100 percent
of the torque can be sent to the rear wheels.
Audi has also developed a new speed-sensitive steering system for the A3 that will be offered in sportier variants. It's still electrically assisted but feel has been improved because of a special shape and toothing of the rack and pinion steering system that results in different gear ratios depending on the steering angle.
So when the steering wheel is in the center position, such
as driving at higher speeds on the highway, the steering ratio is 14.3:1. At
lower speeds, like in a parking lot, the ratio is higher to enable easier
manoeuvrability. In addition, as the speed increases, the power assistance is
decreased continuously to provide a more assured, weighty feel when the driver
heads out onto a highway.
Audi will also offer on its new A3 suspension damping with
three levels of control (Comfort, Auto and Dynamic). These rely on information
from sensors that measure the vertical acceleration of the body and the
relative movement of the individual wheels in relation to it. Audi said the
system will be a standard feature of most models in the new A3 range.
It still isn't clear what Audi has in store for the
powertrain lineup but count on a range of small capacity gasoline engines and
at least one diesel for sale outside the United States. Most of the powertrains
will feature a mild-hybrid system, but a plug-in hybrid setup will be offered
as well.
Performance fans can once again look forward to S3 and RS 3
models. The S3 should come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 and the RS 3
with a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-5. And just like the rest of the new A3
range, mild-hybrid tech should be included to boost efficiency of these models.
We'll have all the details soon as the Geneva auto show
starts March 2. To learn about some of the other vehicles bound for the Swiss
show, head to our dedicated hub.
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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