India-bound Audi A3 Sedan facelift revealed

Minor improvements to the powertrain.

The Audi A3 range, including the Audi A3 Sedan, has received its mid-life facelift, with sales starting in Germany next month.

The front fascia sees the bulk of the changes with redesigned A4-like headlights, a tweaked grille, a new bumper and newly-designed foglight enclosures. Towards the back, the A3 Sedan facelift gets a new bumper and revised taillights. Audi will offer its Matrix LED lighting technology as optional fitment on the A3 Sedan.

Changes inside are very minor. A new three-spoke steering wheel and an updated MMI system with simplified menus are the highlights. Optionally, the Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster can now be specced on the MQB-based compact Audi as well.

Engine options previously available on the A3 range continue to be offered, though with minor improvements. Taking the Indian market into account, the A3 Sedan facelift will continue to be powered by the 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI diesel engine paired to a 6-speed S-Tronic gearbox. While this engine presently makes 143 hp and 320 Nm of torque, the power output is rated at 150 hp on the facelifted model.

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A 180 hp 1.8-liter TFSI petrol engine is also available in India on the A3 Sedan and Cabriolet. While the latter is a completely imported unit, the A3 Sedan range is assembled at the carmaker's Aurangabad plant from CKD kits.

Rivals: Mercedes CLA
Expected Price: INR 25-35 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Expected Release date: Q1 2017 in India