New Audi A3 from £19,205

The new three-door Audi A3 will cost from £19,205 and is available to order now ahead of UK sales in September. 

Three spec options are offered – SE, Sport and S-line – as well as three engine choices, which initially include a 120bhp 1.4TFSI, 178bhp 1.8TFSI and 2.0TDI with 148bhp. 

The 1.4TFSI and 2.0TDI versions are mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while the 178bhp 1.8TFSI comes with a seven-speed S-tronic 'box. 

A 99g/km CO2 1.6TDI will join the range at the end of the year, with a 1.4-litre TFSI with Cylinder on Demand technology due to hit showrooms in early 2013. Quattro all-wheel drive models will also make the A3 line-up. 

Designed to be lighter on the scales than its predecessor, the entry-level three-door 1.4TFSI weighs in at 1175kg, some 80kg lighter than its equivalent outgoing brother. 

Standard kit across the Audi A3 range comprises 16-inch alloys, an MMI radio with folding screen, air conditioning, Bluetooth and a multi-function steering wheel.

Above SE spec, Sport models add 17-inch alloys, Audi’s ‘adaptive dynamics system’ – which allows drivers to choose between Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Efficiency and Individual driving modes – plus sports seats, climate control and flashes of aluminium inside and out. 

Range-topping S-line A3s get large 18-inch wheels, more aggressive body styling, xenon lights with LED daytime running lights and part leather sports seats.  

Audi A3 pricing

SE models 

1.4TFSI   £19,205

2.0TDI    £21,505

Sport models

1.4TFSI   £20,430

1.8TFSI   £24,410

2.0TDI    £22,730

S-line models

1.4TFSI   £22,580

1.8TFSI   £26,560

2.0TDI    £24,880