Details of the new additions to Audi Australia’s showroom in 2014.
Audi A3 sedan (January), S3 sedan (April)
Audi will make a flying start to 2014 with the Australian launch of the Audi A3 sedan. Audi’s first compact sedan is 150mm longer than the A3 Sportback and 62mm longer between the wheels, and has a 55L-larger boot (425L in total). The A3 sedan will be available locally with three turbocharged four-cylinder engines – 103kW/250Nm 1.4-litre petrol with cylinder-on-demand technology, 132kW/250Nm 1.8-litre petrol, and 110kW/320Nm 2.0-litre diesel – and in Attraction and Ambition trim levels. The entry model will wear a $39,800 price tag, making it $1900 dearer than its hatchback equivalent, though more than $10K cheaper than the base Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The A3 sedan will be joined in April by the 206kW/380Nm S3 sedan, which will sit atop the line-up priced just above the $59,900 S3 Sportback.
Audi RSQ3 (February)
Audi’s first SUV to be tuned by performance division ‘quattro GmbH’ and wear ‘RS’ badges, the Audi RSQ3, will be priced from $81,900 when it lands locally in February. The RSQ3 is powered by a slightly detuned version of the turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine found in the TT RS. Producing 228kW and 420Nm and sending drive to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the 1730kg performance SUV claims a 5.5-second 0-100km/h and 8.1L/100km consumption on the combined cycle. In addition to RS styling cues, which include a honeycomb front grille with matte silver border and aggressive front and rear bumpers, the RSQ3 also scores 19-inch alloy wheels, 365mm front/310mm rear ventilated disc brakes, xenon headlights with LED daytime lights and tail-lights, sports seats with Nappa leather and front seat heating and electric adjustment, satellite navigation with 20Gb hard drive, and semi-automatic parking with front and rear sensors and reversing camera, among other features.
Audi RS7 Sportback (February)
Arriving alongside the entry-level RSQ3 SUV is the German brand’s flagship RS model, the Audi RS7 Sportback. The large ‘four-door coupe’ borrows its twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine from the RS6 Avant. Producing 412kW and 700Nm across a broad 1750-5500rpm range, the RS7 claims to sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds and a 305km/h top speed with the ‘dynamic package plus’ option box ticked. Adaptive air suspension, 20-inch alloys and 390mm front brakes with six-piston calipers are standard, though customers can opt for the sports suspension plus set-up with dynamic ride control, larger 21-inch alloys and 420mm carbon ceramic brakes. The RS7 Sportback will be priced just above the RS6 Avant at circa-$240K.
Audi A8 (March), S8 (April)
Audi will refresh its A8 range in March and bolster the limousine line-up in April with the addition of the high-performance S8 variant. Weighing up to 85kg less than the current model, the updated Audi A8 gains revised front and rear styling headlined by new-look LED headlights and tail-lights – the former with optional Matrix LED technology. The local A8 line-up will continue to be an all-diesel affair, comprising the 190kW/580Nm 3.0-litre V6 and the 283kW/850Nm 4.2-litre V8, while the S8 flies the petrol flag with its twin-turbocharged 382kW/650Nm 4.0-litre V8, which claims to sprint from 0-100km/h in an R8-beating 4.2 seconds. A8 pricing will continue to range from circa-$190K to $240K, while the S8 is tipped to wear a price tag north of $250K.
Audi A3 Cabriolet (June), S3 Cabriolet (late 2014)
Audi will introduce a third body style to its small car range in June when it launches the new A3 Cabriolet. Based on the all-new A3 sedan, the four-seat A3 Cabriolet is 180mm longer, 20mm wider, 15mm lower and 90kg lighter than the outgoing hatch-based A3 Cabriolet. Its wheelbase is also 20mm longer than the old model’s. The initial Australian line-up will comprise two petrol engines and one diesel, all turbocharged and all featuring stop-start technology, with six- and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions sending drive to the front wheels. Model variants will mirror the Attraction and Ambition trim lines of the A3 Sportback. The drop-top’s cloth roof can open or close in less than 18 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h and is thicker than before, promising reduced cabin noise. A wind deflector, head-level heating and an active rollover protection system are additional model-specific highlights. The high-performance Audi S3 Cabriolet is also a chance to join the local line-up at the very end of the year, though may be pushed out to 2015.
Audi S1 (second half)
After years of testing and spy shots of numerous mules and prototypes, Audi is finally set to launch it S1 pocket rocket in the second half of 2014. Spotted most recently by CarAdvice’s spy photographers in Germany in November, the Audi S1 will be tamer and more accessible than the 188kW/ 350Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder A1 quattro, which was limited to 333 left-hand-drive units. Power is tipped to come from a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine delivering an estimated 162-184kW to all four wheels via Audi’s renowned quattro system. Set to be offered in three- and five-door body styles, the S1 has unique headlights with LED daytime running lights, restyled tail-lights, and a new rear diffuser with a quad-exit exhaust system. Though still unconfirmed by Audi, the S1 will slot into the German car maker’s performance range below the $59,900 Audi S3.
Audi TT (late 2014)
The all-new Audi TT will be revealed in 2014 and is a chance to reach local showrooms before the end of the year. Sharing its new ‘MQB’ platform with the A3 and Volkswagen Golf, the third-generation TT will be lighter and stiffer than the outgoing model and ride on a longer wheelbase. Apart from aiding performance and handling, reduced weight also promises improved fuel economy from what will be an entirely turbocharged engine line-up, again comprising petrol and diesel powerplants. CarAdvice’s spy photographers spotted the new TT testing in October alongside the current second-gen model, as well as a BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK and Peugeot RC-Z. Continuing with the model’s classic coupe proportions, the new TT will follow Audi‘s latest design language with a large central grille and slimmer, sharper headlights.
