What's the news?
Audi Ireland has now released pricing and specification details on its new A3 Sportback model; a car that will be available to order from the beginning of December. Base level models will go on sale from €26,900 - €1,000 more than the equivalent three-door hatchback. The Sportback will initially be launched in three trim levels: entry-spec, SE and Sport.
Exterior
Aside from the slightly longer body and five doors, the A3 Sportback will look identical to its three-door sibling. All models come with alloy wheels as standard, ranging from 16-inches in diameter on base-level and SE models to 17-inches in top-spec Sport guise. Optional sports suspensions lowers the ride height by 15mm, as does the S Line package, which drops it by a further 10mm.
Interior
Standard equipment for entry-level models includes Bluetooth, a leather steering wheel and air conditioning. SE versions gain half leather upholstery, cruise control, an upgraded stereo and interior lighting; whilst Sport models get a multifunctional sports steering wheel, sports seats and Audi Drive Select.
All A3 Sportbacks come with Audi's MMI system as standard; however this can be upgraded to the MMI Navigation Plus. The upgrade features a seven-inch retractable screen, voice control, a 10GB hard-drive, a DVD slot and mobile phone integration. This can be enhanced with the optional Bang and Olufsen 14-speaker sound system.
Mechanicals
Five engines can be had in the A3 Sportback. The most frugal and probably the most popular will be the 1.6-litre TDI unit, delivering 105hp and emissions of 99g/km. The other diesel engine on offer is a 150hp 2.0-litre unit. Petrol versions come in 1.2-, 1.4- and 1.8-litre TFSI form. Six-speed manual gearboxes feature in most of the range; however, the 1.8-litre TFSI engine is mated to a seven-speed S-Tronic gearbox. At launch, all engines will power the front wheels only with quattro models coming in later next year.
Safety features include active lane assist, traffic sign detection and park assist.
Anything else?
Order books open for the Audi A3 Sportback this week, with first deliveries expected to take place in February.