Audi A3 to arrive by third quarter this year

Positioned as the cheapest Audi all new A3 sedan, will arrive by second half of 2014. The company plans to bring all-new A3 sedan via CKD (Completely Knocked Down unit) route, and then assemble it at its company's local facility. This would enable the company to price this new upcoming sedan aggressively against its upcoming competitors. However, there isn't any direct competitor for A3, but soon Mercedes-Benz will introduce the new CLA in the market; which can be expected by end of this year. The German luxury brand also plans to bring a performance oriented A3, which would be tagged as S3 for Indian car market. However, our close sources claim that S3 might come before A3 in India.

In the affordable luxury products segment available in India, we've got BMW 1-Series and Merc A-Class, which could face the most likely threat with the launch of all-new A3. As far as engine specs are concerned, the diesel version will be powered by a 2.0-litre TDI engine producing max power of 150bhp and  top torque of 320Nm. The car even offers impressive mileage figure of 25kmpl. With the petrol version, there are two engine options- a 1.4-litre TFSI and 1.8-litre TFSI, that are offered on global fronteir. The former is capable of churning max power of 140bhp, and the later being more powerful produces top power of 180bhp. However, to comment over the powertrains with which A3 will arrive in India, seem too early to comment as of now.

The smartly designed sedan is smallest in its segment, but surely doesn't compromise over the interior comfort levels- easily accomodating five passengers. It has even got enough boot space of 425-litres.