Audi A3 1.8 T spotted in Mumbai

A completely unmasked test mule of the Audi A3 has been spotted once again. Caught testing around Juhu in Mumbai, the car was a petrol-powered 1.8 T variant with a 1.8-litre TFSI engine. The A3 sedan made its global debut at the 2013 New York Auto Show and is expected to go on sale in India in August.

The A3 had earlier been spotted in India in its 2.0 TDI guise, which, as the name indicates, is powered by a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine. The engine is also offered in different states of tune in Volkswagen Group’s other cars like the Jetta, Passat and the Skoda Octavia.  The A3 1.8 T variant will be powered by a 1.8-litre TFSI unit developing 168bhp and 320Nm while the diesel is expected to churn out 141bhp and 320Nm. Both the engines will power the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG gearbox.

 

Based on Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, the Audi A3 sedan is an extended version of the A3 Sportback (hatchback) with an additional 425-litre boot. The front of the car features the familiar fascia with a prominent Audi beard grille and projector headlamps with DRLs.

The A3 is expected to be initially imported as a CBU and then to be locally assembled at Audi’s Aurangabad plant. Mercedes-Benz got a headstart in this niche entry-level luxury segment when it launched the A-Class hatchback last year, which was followed by BMW with their 1 Series.

 

Despite being late to the party, the A3 sedan will have an edge over practicality in the form of its 425-litre boot. Once launched, the A3 will be the stepping stone into the Audi club and is sure to enjoy the monopoly in the segment by being the only German entry-level luxury car with a practical boot. But if you don’t feel the necessity of owning an Audi-badged car and have around Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh to spare, you might opt for other luxury sedans like the Skoda Superb, Volkswagen Passat, Nissan Teana or the Toyota Camry.