A report in Automotive News says that the next-generation Audi A3 may include a sedan version for the U.S. Europe is likely to get a full range of vehicles that includes wagon, convertible and crossover variations.
Sales of the current A3 hatchback in the U.S. have been slow so far. Audi is hoping to add some incremental sales this fall with the introduction of the 2.0 TDI model.
Blame that whole aversion to hatchbacks thing for the A3's slow sales, or maybe the fact that the A3's price is so close to the A4. Either way, Audi is clearly looking to grab bigger sales numbers on the low end of the price scale. Automotive News says to expect the new A3's to show up sometime in 2012.
richc3 says:
04:34 PM, 10/ 5/09
I'm a TDI advocate and don't shy away from mid priced cars, but IMHO the A3 with the 2.0 L TDI diesel doesn't offer enough above a Volkswagen. Cut a thousand and offer the 6 speed manual ... or quattro and the sales will improve. (or for that matter go unique and offer the new Start-Stop technology as just did on the European A3 with the 1.6 L TDI)
estreka says:
05:49 PM, 10/ 5/09
What does an A3 sedan look like? or is that wagon it?
bc1960 says:
06:01 PM, 10/ 5/09
It's priced too high to begin with and dealers tend to stock loaded models that are even more expensive. They didn't offer the 3-door model which might be seen as sportier, yet the 5-door is labeled a "Sportback" rather than an "Avant". But the A5 Sportback is a swoopy coupelike 5-door, while the A3 is more wagonlike than the A4 Avant. Perhaps instead of a conventional trunked 4-door, a real A3 5-door Sportback could be produced, and the current configuration made more palatable as an A3 Avant.
xprojected says:
09:16 AM, 10/ 6/09
Wish they would bring the 3-door over instead, the A3 is already a bit cramped for 4 people as it is.
compliance says:
09:22 AM, 10/ 6/09
Also - The GTI is so much cheaper there is no reason to buy an A3 over one.
DCuerpoJr says:
01:42 PM, 10/ 6/09
The GTI starts at $23,230.
The A3 starts at $25,361.
Both cars can be optioned up to bring the price above $30,000.
I believe the GTI is simply cannibalizing sales away from the A3.
I think an A3 Sedan would encroach upon sales of the A4 Sedan since they are both relatively compact cars.
How about offering the GTI at $18,000 (same ball-park as the base Jetta) with performance models (R32/R20) at $25,000? Keeping the base price for the A3 around $25,000 and market it as a luxury version of the GTI...which I thought they were trying to do a few years ago.