Exterior and Lighting

The new Audi A3 has a sporty and taut road stance. The front section is dominated by a wide, hexagonal Singleframe with a honeycomb grille. It symbolizes the dynamic character of the premium model just as clearly as the large, angular air inlets whose depth gives them a sculptural effect.

The shoulder line runs from the headlights to the rear lights in a tapered shape. The surface below it falls inward, accentuating the quattro blisters and highlighting the body shoulder. With its concave side, the new A3 is showcasing a completely new element of the Audi design. This creates an intensive play of light and shadow, which is mainly due to the strong contour in the sill area.

With the Sportback, the lower body line distinctly rises once more before the rear wheel arch, creating a particularly dynamic effect and emphasizing the short rear end. The heavily inclined C-pillars also give the compact five-door car a pronounced forward thrust – they are virtually squatting on the rear wheels. A long roof edge spoiler provides shade for the rear window, making it appear particularly flat. On the new A3 Sedan, the lower body line extends up to the rear bumper. In conjunction with the striking shoulder line, this gives the sides a very elegant appearance and emphasizes the length of the new model. The roof line slopes down from the B-pillar just like on a coupé and finishes in a striking spoiler on the tailgate.

On both models, the three-dimensional design of the rear end makes it look extremely wide. This impression is reinforced by the circumferential shoulder line, the wedge-shaped rear lights, the implied air outlets at the wheel arches, the diffuser, and the trapezoidal tailpipe trims.

Signed: digital daytime running lights

The headlights are available in three versions. Even in the basic model, they use LED technology – apart from the turn signals. With their flat, wedge-like shape, the lights underline the sporty character of the new A3 models. Trapezoidal angles at their outside corners are drawn downward. As the top-of-the-line version in the range, the Matrix LED headlights incorporate a lighting innovation from Audi in these angles – digital daytime running lights. Their matrix of LED elements in a three-by-five arrangement can be actuated variably, which means that the different versions of the new A3 each have specific signatures. While horizontal lines are characteristic of the basic model, two vertical LED lines emphasize the sportiness of the S line exterior. In addition, the Matrix LED headlights offer intelligently controlled, anti-glare high beam light, dynamic turn signal light, and many other functions, including new animations when the car is unlocked and when exiting the car.

All terms in blue in the text are explained in detail in the technology lexicon at www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/technology-lexicon.

The equipment, data and prices stated here refer to the model range offered for sale in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.