Audi A3 Sportback Arrives in Japan | Audi

Audi A3 Sportback

The Highly Anticipated New A3

Finally Arrives in Japan

AudiJapan has announced the arrival of the "A3 Sportback," the five-door version of the new "A3."A3 Sportback" and the " S3 Sportback" to the Japanese market.

Text by AKIZUKI Shinichiro (OPENERS)

Google Street View Display Now Possible

Audi Japan announced on September 2012 that the new "Paris Motor Show 2012" which had its world premiere at the , will be introduced to Japan. Sales begin today. Additionally, the high-performance version, the "S3 Sportback," will go on sale in November.A3" five-door version, the "A3 Sportback," will be introduced to Japan. Sales begin today. Additionally, the high-performance version, the "S3 Sportback," will go on sale in November.

The most significant feature of the new "A3 Sportback" is its in-car Wi-Fi capability, allowing internet connection via a 3G line for the first time in a car sold in the Japanese market. It can connect to up to eight mobile devices, enabling internet browsing and email exchange while driving. The navigation system also offers display of "Google Earth" images and Street View, providing a new driving experience.

These newly developed information services, "Audi connect," are considered a key technology for realizing the future of mobility networks, connecting cars to the internet, information infrastructure, and other vehicles. They function as an expansion of Audi's infotainment system, "MMI (Multi Media Interface)."

Audi A3 Sportback 1.8 TFSI quattro | Audi A3 Sportback 1.8TFSI quattro

The "A3 Sportback" features an exterior design built with Audi's latest design language, similar to the previously released three-door model (not sold in Japan). Its dimensions are 4,325mm in length, 1,785mm in width, and 1,435mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,635mm, making it slightly larger than the current model (4,290mm length, 1,765mm width, 1,430mm height, 2,575mm wheelbase).

The wheelbase is 35mm longer than the three-door model and 60mm longer than the current Sportback. This extension contributes to a larger interior, providing a rear seat that can comfortably accommodate three adults. Furthermore, like the new Golf 7, it adopts the new-generation "MQB" platform shared by the Volkswagen Group for transverse engines, achieving high efficiency and a significant weight reduction of 90kg compared to the previous generation.

Three gasoline engine options are available, all featuring direct-injection turbo "TFSI" technology. The 1.4-liter inline four-cylinder turbo engine in the "1.4 TFSI" produces a maximum output of 90kW (122ps) and a peak torque of 200Nm (20.4kgm).

The "1.4 TFSI cylinder on demand," also a 1.4-liter engine, incorporates a "cylinder on demand" function that deactivates two cylinders under low load to improve fuel efficiency. It delivers a maximum output of 103kW (140ps) and a peak torque of 250Nm (25.5kgm). Fuel economy is rated at 20km/ℓ under the JC08 mode.

The transmission for these front-wheel-drive 1.4-liter engines is a 7-speed S tronic (DSG).

The "1.8 TFSI quattro" is equipped with a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder turbo engine, producing a maximum output of 132kW (180ps) and a peak torque of 280Nm (28.6kgm). It is paired with a 6-speed S tronic transmission and the "quattro" permanent all-wheel-drive system.

All engines offer flexibility with maximum torque available from low RPMs, excellent fuel efficiency, and reduced CO2 emissions compared to previous models: 119g/km for the "1.4 TFSI," 116g/km for the "1.4 TFSI cylinder on demand," and 157g/km for the "1.8 TFSI."

Meanwhile, the high-performance "S3 Sportback" is powered by a 2.0-liter TFSI engine, boasting a maximum output of 206kW (280ps) and a peak torque of 380Nm (38.8kgm). It features a 6-speed S tronic transmission and, naturally, the "quattro" all-wheel-drive system.

Pricing starts at 3.08 million yen for the 1.4 TFSI, 3.47 million yen for the 1.4 TFSI cylinder on demand, and 3.93 million yen for the 1.8 TFSI quattro. The high-performance S3 Sportback is priced at 5.44 million yen. Deliveries for the two 1.4-liter models are scheduled to begin on September 17th, while the 1.8 TFSI quattro and S3 Sportback will start deliveries in November.