2005 Audi A3 Sportback Preview
The A3 has never even been offered in North America, but nonetheless Audi is hard at work preparing a new version of its compact luxury hatchback with all markets in mind.
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| Audi has been hard at work preparing the new A3, which is built on the recently updated Golf chassis, for a North American arrival. (Photo: Audi Canada) |
The 2005 A3 will be the first vehicle to utilize Volkswagen's recently revised Golf chassis, a car that also has yet to arrive in North America. It's a solid example of a personal luxury hatchback just the same, showing much advancement over the previous design.
Much like the cars the A3 competes with, namely the C-Class Sport, it was only available in a 3-door format. Just in time to battle with the new Volvo V50, Saab 9-2X, upcoming BMW 1-Series and other luxury compact 5-doors, Audi has decided to add a new hatchback-wagon crossover to the A3 lineup dubbed the Sportback.
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| Audi's controversial new front end that first appeared on the A8 W12 is incorporated into the A3. (Photo: Audi Canada) |
But the Sportback isn't the only A3 in the lineup to receive changes to exterior and interior styling. Likewise a new engine has been added to the lineup as well as improved cargo carrying capabilities. While the 3-door hatch will no doubt remain popular in Europe and become a sporty alternative in North America, the addition of the Sportback is crucial to the success of the A3 on this side of the Atlantic, as the option for a more spacious model is often preferred.
The front end of the A3 Sportback has been reworked to incorporate the bulldoggish snout first seen on the A8 W12 and causing controversy on the new A6. A new lower valance which incorporates fog lamps has also entered the mix.