A 300kW, 500Nm Sports Sedan

Audi, which has seen global sales grow with the A1 launched in Japan at the beginning of 2011, appears poised to introduce a new model. What caught the eye at the Audi booth at this year's Geneva Motor Show was the notchback A3.

This four-seater notchback sedan, named the A3 Concept, boasts a sporty yet elegant style characteristic of Audi. Its design features a CFRP single-frame grille, headlights utilizing new-generation LED technology, muscular body panels, and a low roofline with a flat, coupe-like contour flowing to the C-pillar. The actual body dimensions are low, long, and wide. With a length of 4,440mm and width of 1,840mm, the height is a mere 1,390mm, remarkably low for a sedan. The use of aluminum for the doors, engine hood, and tailgate has kept the vehicle's weight down to 1,540kg.

The engine is a 2.5-liter, five-cylinder FSI direct-injection gasoline unit, representing the culmination of Audi's modern technology. Turbocharged, it produces a maximum output of 300kW (408ps) and a peak torque of 500Nm (51kgm), delivered across a broad and accessible range from 1,600 to 5,300rpm. The transmission is a 7-speed S tronic, available in automatic and manual modes, likely the same unit recently fitted to the TT RS.

This power is transmitted to all four wheels via the quattro system, enabling acceleration from 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 250km/h. Despite this performance, it achieves environmental credentials of 9.1 L/100km (approximately 11 km/L) and CO2 emissions of 212g/km.

The cockpit features a bright and airy design. Analog gauges for the tachometer and speedometer have black dials with red needles, and the steering wheel is a flat-bottomed, three-spoke unit. It is equipped with an evolved MMI multimedia interface, featuring a large rotary push-button with a touchpad surface. The generous 2,630mm wheelbase ensures ample interior space, offering the best rear knee room in the premium compact segment. The luggage compartment provides a substantial 410 liters, more than adequate for this class.

The chassis is largely based on that of the RS3 Sportback. It features MacPherson struts at the front and a four-link setup at the rear, with tires sized 245/30 fitted at both front and rear.

Despite the announcement of these realistic specifications, Audi states there are no current plans for a production model. While it's unlikely to be released with these exact specifications, it remains a vehicle with a level of refinement that suggests it could be ready for market at any time.