2013 Audi A3 Sportback

Audi has released a ton of photos and information regarding its new 2013 Audi A3 Sportback and we have it all here for you.

The newest five door from Audi features a new sleek design while retaining all of its Audi-ness. The sharp edges and corporate face, replete with obligatory LED DRLs, remind everyone which German brand you prefer, but the kink in towards the top of the lift-gate give the A3 a sporty flair.

To make sure the Audi is fun-to-drive and more fuel efficient, weight has been cut from the already light car by almost 200 pounds. POwering this lightweight are a 1.6-liter diesel, 1.4-liter gas and 1.8-liter gas. Later in the year a new 2.0 liter diesel will debut along with a 1.2-liter gasoline mill. All cars come standard with 6-speed manuals, but have the S tronic automatic as an option.

The design with the three side windows is taut and concentrated, with every detail precise and expressive. The distinguishing element at the front of the vehicle is the distinctive, stone gray single-frame grille with the angled upper corners. The lower edges of the flat headlights taper off at an angle. Audi offers optional xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, with LED headlights to follow somewhat later. Large air intakes up front hint at the power of the engines.

The sharply defined tornado line articulates the flank below the windows and evokes a powerful shoulder. The dynamic line above the side sills runs upward toward the rear.

The tautly curved surfaces, the large, precisely defined wheel wells, the relatively narrow, sharply sloping C pillars and the understated roof spoiler underscore the sporty nature of the A3 Sportback, as do the exterior mirrors, which as with a sports car are perched on the doors.

The rear is extremely sculptured, and the split rear lights underscore its width. Audi offers LED rear lights in combination with the xenon plus headlights; LED light conductors appear to form a continuous arch. The adaptive brake light, which pulses at high frequency during hard braking, is standard. A sharp crease sets off the diffuser. Depending on the engine, the exhaust system terminates in one or two tailpipes on the left side of the car.

High-end components of hot-shaped steel in the occupant cell form a strong, yet lightweight structure. They comprise a large portion of the body and are a major factor behind the weight savings of 37 kilograms (81.57 lb) in the occupant cell. High- and ultra-high-strength steels are used in many other areas. The engine hood, the fenders, the profile behind the front bumper and the subframe for the front axle are made of aluminum. Together they save roughly 12 kilograms (26.46 lb) and thus improve axle load distribution.

The body of the Audi A3 Sportback is extremely stiff and quiet, as components such as a noise-insulating windshield reduce interior noise levels. Thanks to extensive fine-tuning that also included the engine compartment and the underbody, the coefficient of drag is just 0.30. Passive safety is also top-notch. In the event of a collision with a pedestrian, a pyrotechnic element at the back of the engine hood raises it several centimeters to cushion the impact.

The interior of the new A3 Sportback is marked by an elegant, clean and light design. Lines and surfaces are sinuously taut. A long arch runs below the windshield in the style of the large Audi models. The instrument panel with its curved front is lean and low. It and the center console, which is angled slightly toward the driver, appear to hover, evoking a sense of freedom behind the wheel.

The intuitively clean ergonomics are a classic Audi strength. The MMI operating system with the power-retractable monitor is available with the MMI radio and above. Its terminal is located on the console of the center tunnel, which is flanked by high knee pads. A button for the electromechanical parking brake replaces the handbrake lever – another solution from the Audi full-size class.

The driver seats at an elegant steering wheel. Depending on the version, it has three or four spokes, a flat-bottomed rim, multifunction buttons and shift paddles. The large dial instruments can be easily read at a glance. The newly developed front seats offer outstanding body guidance and support. Sport seats are available as an option (standard with Ambition).

Thanks to the 58 millimeters (2.28 in) by which the wheelbase has grown, the A3 Sportback offers ample rear seat space and easy access for three adults. The A3 Sportback also offers several millimeters more head and leg room than its predecessor.

The interior of the new A3 Sportback conveys the luxurious look and feel of the full-size class. The sculpted inlays are just one of the highlights. Audi offers a choice of Aluminum Mistral or the 3D-design “Optic” inlays (standard with Ambiente) as options. This top-of-the-line version is manufactured in a complex process to produce a glass-like appearance with intense depth.

The four large, round air nozzles in a jet design are additional examples of the aesthetics of technology. The stream of air can be adjusted between a diffuse and a targeted flow by tapping and pulling on the center axis.

The control unit for the optional deluxe automatic air conditioning is mounted on a black, piano-finish fascia. The instrument cluster fascia is also black. Many control elements are optionally available in an aluminum-look finish, and the interior lighting package (standard with Ambiente) includes subtle LED lights.

The colors in the interior are matched to the trim line. In the A3 Sportback Attraction, the interior is black or titanium gray; the interior of the sporty Ambition line is either all black or black with additional silver, blue or yellow contrasting elements. The two-color Audi design selection capri orange, an exclusive suggestion of the Audi designers, provides access to the world of youthful colors. The colors pashmina beige and chestnut brown are available with the luxurious Ambiente trim line.