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Audi has given its A3 lineup a thorough refresh for the 2017 model year, introducing substantial tweaks to the A3 Sedan and Cabriolet, as well as the S3 Sedan.
All three models will sport new designs and bevy of new technologies that make the compact sedans smarter, safer and more intelligent.
But have no fear, A3 enthusiasts: Audi will not compromise on its dedication to performance, as the A3 lineup will keep its 2.0-liter turbocharged fuel stratified injection, or TFSI, engines and its six-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmissions for the 2017 model year.
When it comes to the exterior, A3 redesign can be summed up in one word: sharper. Angular, pointed LED headlights replace the more rounded lamps on the front of the 2016 A3. A pentagonal grille, wider vents and restyled wheels (available in both 17-inch five-arm and 18-inch five-double spoke designs) give the A3s a more aggressive look while more defined lines running along the body create an overall sportier aesthetic.
With its 2.0-liter TFSI quattro engines, sportiness is not just a dressing for the A3 lineup, it's a way of life. The refreshed A3 Sedan and Cabriolet (Audi's convertible version of the compact sedan) both make 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the high-performance S3 makes 292 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque en route to a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds.
Inside, luxury reigns supreme. Leather upholstery, aluminum trim and micrometallic silver inlays pop inside a cockpit that features six-way power adjustable seats, a massive 12.3-inch ?virtual cockpit? display screen and as many 14 Bang and Olufsen 705-watt speakers.
While appearances mean a lot, especially for a luxury brand looking to break away from a cycle of design uniformity, the most impressive features lie just below the surface.
The A3 lineup offers two connectivity packages: Connect Prime offers navigation services such as Google Earth, myAudi Destinations and Audi's Semi-Dynamic Route Guidance system, which includes Internet radio, Twitter alerts, local fuel prices and other online travel info. Meanwhile, the Connect Plus package offers 4G LTE capabilities for the vehicles' Wi-Fi hotspots, which can be used by as many as eight devices at once.
Providing navigation and connecting to one's smartphone (through either Apple CarPlay or Google's Android Auto) serve as nice frosting for the A3's technology suite, but it's the advanced safety features that take the cake: automatically adjusting high and low beams, active lane-keeping assistance, pre-collision detection and adaptive cruise control headline the lineup's list of semi-autonomous safety features.
It's not clear when exactly these refreshed models will hit U.S. dealerships, but the A3 Sedan and Cabriolet are slated to start at $34,200 and $40,300, respectively, while the S3 Sedan is set to begin at $42,900.
