Along with its sporty nature, the Audi A3 is also supposed to provide a more pragmatic package than even the classic user-friendly three-door hatchback shape, mostly because it's bigger.
A3's key dimensions include a length of 4,286mm on a wheelbase of 2,578 mm, a width (without the mirrors) of 1,765mm and a height of 1,423 mm.
With the rear seat folded, that translates into 1,120 litres of enclosed space behind the front seats.
Above the interior space is a glass sunroof that Audi calls ''open sky,'' which allows the passengers to see out and which can be opened.
A dominant styling points of the A3 would have to be the single-frame radiator grille, which began life on the 12-cylinder A8 and the new A6 and is now the standard frontispiece of the brand.
Overall, the ''visual centre of gravity of the A3 is thus to be found at its powerful rear end,'' which is meant to ''create the impression that the entire car is about to leap forward.''
Inside, the Audi A3 is said to be distinguished by two features -- sportiness and elegance. Cortez says this impression is ''conveyed by the low seat position, in typical sports car style, the high and wide centre console, and the clear, generous subdivision of the dashboard.''
Audi has always enjoyed a reputation for excellent interiors, and Cortez says that is what people will find in the entry-level A3. ''The attractive appearance of the interior surfaces and each individual detail is the result of excellent material quality and a perfect finish at the highest level of craftsmanship,'' she says.
And the instrument panel's not just pretty, Cortez maintains. ''Superior ergonomic design is combined with equally outstanding aesthetic qualities throughout the car's interior. Typical examples are the round air vents with aluminium surrounds, the rotary knobs on the automatic air conditioning and the numerous aluminium trims.''
Drivers looking for that mystical European road feel will want to know that the A3 has been given ''a highly sophisticated suspension design,'' with McPherson setup in the front and the innovative four-link independent in the back.
The MacStruts up front and the four-link independent setup in the back have been tuned ''for sporty and agile handling offering a high standard of stability, and producing an excellent cornering performance and a high level of comfort in conjunction with both front-wheel and quattro drive.''
The Audi A3 is also fitted with electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance, which is said to combine optimum feedback from steering movements with a low level of sensitivity to vibration from the road, while also consuming far less energy than a conventional system.
The A3 will be fairly well equipped, since it is of course an Audi and carries a certain luxury connation even at this end of the price scale. Specific details and more precise pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date next year.
