New Audi A3: Australian pricing and specs

The fourth-generation Audi A3 will arrive in Australia early next year priced from $46,300 plus on-road costs, bringing a host of drawcards headlined by a sleek redesign and a new mild-hybrid turbo-petrol engine.

Set to do battle with rival German small cars such as the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class, and originally set down for a late 2021 arrival, the new 2022 Audi A3 will initially be available in three model grades and two body styles, Sportback (hatch) and sedan, packing 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engines.

Opening the range is the front-wheel drive Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI – which we drove at its international launch way back in March 2020 – that’s powered by a new 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech. It combines with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The $46,300 sticker price represents an increase of $9700 over the outgoing A3 Sportback 30 TFSI price-leader, which has a smaller 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.

Further up the new line, the Audi A3 Sportback 40 TFSI quattro is pegged at $52,900 plus ORCs and uses a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (140kW/320Nm) that drives all four wheels via a seven-speed DCT.

As previously detailed, the top-spec high-performance Audi S3 Sportback rocks in at $69,900 plus ORCs and features an uprated 2.0-litre turbo delivering 228kW/400Nm. It’s also fitted with AWD and a seven-speed S tronic DCT.

Sedan models add $2500 over the price of the hatch – see below for the full price list – making the Audi S3 sedan the most expensive model at $72,400 plus ORCs. At least until the ballistic Audi RS3 arrives…

Audi’s popular virtual cockpit 10.25-inch digital driver display will be standard on all models along with a 10.1-inch central touch-screen infotainment display with more computing power.

It can recognise handwriting, natural language verbal commands and delivers greater online connectivity, with live fuel prices, traffic, weather conditions, parking info and Google satellite map overlay built in.

An embedded SIM card also works with the myAudi smartphone app to enable remote locking/unlocking, auto emergency calls in the event of a crash and simplified service bookings.

All Audi A3 models come with more standard features than before, including LED headlights with dynamic indicators, heated exterior mirrors, 18-inch alloy wheels, an intelligent key, leather-appointed seats, dual-zone climate control and a three-spoke leather steering wheel with hands-on detection.

Wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay are also part of the package, along with wireless smartphone charging.

Step up to the Audi A3 40 TFSI quattro S line and you’ll gain Audi Sport 18-inch alloy wheels surrounded by more athletic S line bodywork on the outside, plus sports front seats, ambient lighting and an auto-dimming mirror on the inside.

A storage/luggage package is also included and an optional premium package adds things like a head-up display.

A3 sedan models also get an electric tailgate release.

Along with seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with cyclist and pedestrian detection, the A3’s safety suite includes side assist, lane assist, regular cruise control, park assist, a rear-view camera and tyre pressure loss indicator.

Twelve exterior colours are offered in conjunction with three interior colour schemes, and like all Audi vehicles the A3 is backed by a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

A five-year capped price service plan is offered, costing $2250 per annum, or $450 per service.

Orders for the long-awaited new A3 can now be placed ahead of first deliveries early in 2022.

How much does the 2022 Audi A3 cost?
Sportback 35 TFSI – $46,300
Sedan 35 TFSI – $48,800
Sportback 40 TFSI quattro S line – $52,900
Sedan 40 TFSI quattro S line – $55,400
S3 Sportback – $69,900
S3 Sedan – $72,400
* Prices exclude on-road costs