India-bound 2020 Audi A3 spied undisguised in Africa

- The new-gen Audi A3 will take its inspiration from new-gen A1

- Expected to break cover next year

Audi was spotted testing the newest model in its revamped line-up, the next-gen Audi A3 in the most unexpected location – Africa. This hatchback body style was spied hauling weight wearing scanty camouflage ahead of its official reveal. Set to break cover next year, the new A3 adopts the new family design and we expect a thoroughly updated cabin as well.

Except for the little cladding on the rear bumpers and lights, the undisguised prototype reveals the A1 inspired face. However, we think the headlamp shape barely differs from the model it replaces and we hope the production version wears a different set of headlights akin to the one seen on the A4 and the bigger A8. Design-wise, the new-gen A3 might take an evolutionary approach. Apart from a slightly redesigned grille, a new set of wheels and a reworked rear, most of the dimension and creases remain unchanged over the current generation model.

On the inside, the changes might be more evident with the new-generation of Virtual Cockpit, some additional screens on the centre console and added features. Apart from that, there are reports of Audi discontinuing the three-door version of the A3, but we expect the sedan version to make its way to our shores. On the other hand, the convertible version isn’t ruled out just yet.

There are no updates about the powertrain so far. Audi might continue with the current set of engine options in the new-gen A3 as well apart from adding a hybrid version. A more powerful S3 and fully-blown RS3 version will also come around but a couple of years after the standard A3 hits the market. Given that the undisguised version is already on the streets, we expect a reveal sooner than later. So keep watching this space for all the updates.