German automaker Audi could launch the A3 sedan in India by 2013-14, as revealed by Mr Peter Schwarzenbauer, the board member of Audi AG to a team of Indian journalists. The concept on which the production car is based was unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and is seen as the next big launch that could hot up this segment of the market. It is being speculated that Audi could price the A3 sedan as low as Rs 20 lakh making it the cheapest offering from the Audi stables in India.
Audi will be looking at a turbocharged diesel engine from the Volkswagen family for its A3 sedan in India while the rest of the car could be imported through CKD channels. Audi might rope-in an efficient diesel engine from its sister cars in India. This will be mainly to keep the costs as low a possible as BMW could also be coming with a saloon based on the 1- Series. In terms of dimensions, the A3 sedan is a tad bit smaller than the Volkswagen Jetta but will feature exquisite interior quality, fit and finish like all Audis. The Audi A3 would offer the best in class rear legroom thanks to its wheelbase of 2.63 meters.
What will differentiate this car from the rest is the Audi patent Quattro four-wheel drive system. What engine would go into the A3 sedan is not yet clear however, the concept car that was showcased earlier boasted a 408 bhp and a peak torque of 500 Nm. All this oomph would dart the A3 sedan concept from 0-100 kph in 4.1 sec. The engine is bolted to seven-speed S-Tronic slush box. This could as well make into the production model that is on its way to India. Like the Audi, BMW’s 1-Series sedan could also sport a seven-speed dual clutch transmission however, this is plain speculation as no official word has been received yet.
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