2015 Audi A3 Sedan Starts from $29,900, Same as Mercedes CLA – Which One Would You Get?

[Updated with Poll and Video]

Audi will launch its all-new A3 Sedan in the U.S. early next year with prices starting from $29,900 (€21,700 at the current exchange rates), the automaker announced today. Even though it's not mentioned in the release, usually base MSRPs do not include destination and handling, unless noted.

Unless Audi is referring to a launch model with a bigger engine, one can only assume that the entry price is for the base 177hp (180PS) 170hp 1.8-liter TFSI model that will come with standard LED DRLs and taillights, Bluetooth technology, Audi pre sense basic, a panoramic glass sunroof, leather seating surfaces and a 6-speed S tronic automatic transmission.

The range will include two more gasoline powerplants, a 2.0-liter TFSI (we don't know the output yet) and a higher output 2.0-liter TFSI for the sporty S3 with 296hp (300PS), along with a 2.0-liter TDI diesel, all of which will be paired to a standard 6-speed S tronic transmission.

The A3 sedan's base price is the same as the entry-level Mercedes-Benz CLA 250, which sports a 208hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-gasoline unit and just $3,900 less than the Audi A4 Sedan with a 220hp 2.0-liter turbo. We're using the word "just", because if the price does indeed concern the 1.8L TFSI, then the 2.0L TFSI A3 Sedan should logically cost almost as much as the bigger A4…

Audi said that the A3 Sedan will be joined later in 2014 by the recently announced A3 Cabriolet, A3 TDI clean diesel, the high-performance S3 sedan and in early 2015, the A3 Sportback e-tron gasoline electric hybrid (PHEV).

Note: We contacted an Audi spokesperson who confirmed that the base price is indeed for the 1.8-liter TFSI engine, which in U.S. specification will produce 170hp. He also added that the A3 Sedan series "will go on sale in the spring of next year. The $29,900 price does not include D&H – that’ll be $895. We have not announced the final hp numbers on the 2.0 L motor as of now."

Poll: At $30,000, which one would you buy?

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO

Audi Starts Production of the A3 Cabriolet in Hungary

Audi has begun series production of the new A3 Cabriolet at its Győr plant in Hungary. The model will be exclusively produced in the Hungarian plant, as is the case temporarily with the A3 Sedan, until Chinese and Brazilian production start late this year and in 2015, respectively.

Order books for the second-generation Audi A3 Cabriolet open today in Germany and other European markets, with deliveries in Europe scheduled for next spring. Between 2007 and 2013, Audi Hungaria built around 63,000 units of the predecessor model in Győr in conjunction with the Ingolstadt plant.

“Production of the new A3 Cabriolet is another step in expanding our production capacities in Győr to 125,000 automobiles each year. For many years, our Hungarian plant has convinced our customers with automobiles in premium quality. This is made possible by a flexible team with great expertise,” said Dr. Frank Dreves, Board of Management Member for Production of Audi AG.

Alongside the A3 Cabriolet and the A3 Sedan, the Győr plant also builds the Audi TT and TT Roadster, as well as engines for the majority of the Audi range. The German carmaker has invested a total of more than €900 million ($1.22 billion) in buildings and equipment at this site.

Unveiled at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the Audi A3 Cabriolet is available in Europe with two petrol units, a 138hp (140PS) 1.4-liter TSI and a 178hp (180PS) 1.8-liter TS, plus a 148hp (150PS) 2.0-liter turbo diesel. Later on, Audi will add a 108hp (110 PS) 1.6-liter turbo diesel and the range-topping S3 performance model powered by a 296hp (300PS) 2.0-liter TSI engine.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

Justice Has Been Served: Frustrated Drivers Knock Over Audi A3 that was Blocking the Road!

Usually, when an insensitive driver double-parks on the road blocking the way to other vehicles, all it takes is a call to the police to get things sorted out. But there comes a time when frustrated drivers take matters into their own hands…
Which is what happened in Exarcheia, a neighborhood in downtown Athens, Greece, when the owner of what looks like a fairly new Audi A3 Sportback parked in front of a couple of large metal trash bins partially blocking the road.
While most passenger cars were able to make it through, a city bus that was making its routine trek around town couldn't fit. The bus driver along with the other drivers that were piling up behind kept honking again and again but to no avail; the owner of the Audi was nowhere to be seen.