The second generation A3 has recently received a facelift that is supposed to keep the clientèle interest alive until the next model arrives. But, car cosmetic surgery can't be very subtle, and everyone can tell that the face of the 2008 A3 was artificially rejuvenated. The fancy over-LEDeed lights look somehow out of place on the still elegant (but now old) body of the Audi hatch. That got me into considering the third generation A3 that will get all the new Audi-design-goodies at once. I'm talking about the slightly curved side line, the new side skirt emboss (see A5 and new A4), or the mirrors à la TT. I'd also like to see some different front lights on the A3. The ones used on the larger models are too similar in my opinion. I didn't break the connection with the past; I went for an evolution of the traditional A3 lights with a little more anger and only a touch of high-tech (I think too many LEDs in there get the things confusing). A glass roof and frameless doors should help differentiate even more the Audi from the rest of the VAG Golf/Rabbit based hatches.
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wow that thing looks perfect.
Very nice one, and I suspect the future A3 may look a lot like this.
This said, I don’t really like the more flowing lines Audi started using, and I remain a fan of their current straight lines.
Personally, I think the best-looking A3 is the Kia ProCeed. Both were designed by the same person (Peter Schreyer), but the Kia is cleaner, less gaping-mouth Audiesque.
I like Andrei’s version very much, too!
That looks pretty tasty. The nose reminds me a bit more of the new TT, which is a very good thing. If they bring me something that looks like that with a 170 HP 2.0TDI here in Canada, I just might trade in my ’06.
What’s the latest information on new engines for 2009 (and beyond) for the North American A3’s? Will there be quattro version available with the 4cyl?