Geneva 2011: Audi A3 Sedan Concept

Let's file this one under "no, duh!"  Audi is thinking about making a sedan version of the A3 hatchback. This is presumably because they'd actually like to sell some A3's in the US market, as opposed to look at them on dealer lots and wonder why Americans don't buy them.  (hint: it's a $30,000 hatchback that doesn't say "STI" on it.)

The grille, it is large enough already.

So an A3 sedan isn't much of a surprise for a lot of reasons.  For one, with the A4 continually escalating in price, Audi needs something in the low end of their lineup.  For another, it's not like its going to be expensive to engineer: an A3 sedan is also referred to as a "Jetta" in most places.

Stylistically the A3 Sedan concept is pretty predictable, but it's still probably the most attractive Audi 4-door out there.  Maybe I just like small cars, but the proportions are spot-on and there's a tension to the lines that makes the paint seem like it's alive.  It's got a lot of B5 A5 in the side profile, and in all likelyhood it's about the size of one too.  I give the overall styling a very energetic thumbs-iup.

Looking a little like a Opel Insignia from the back, but that's OK.

What's more interesting is what's under the hood.  You'd expect these days the press release to read: "The A3 Sedan concept is powered by a series of tiny electric motors, fed by a heavy battery, which is recharged by a 1.2L hamster-charged three cylinder."  Errr, no.  The concept actually has a version of the TT-RS/RS3 engine under the hood, meaning it's a 2.5L direct-injected 20v Inline-Five cylinder.  However, instead of the normal 335 horsepower, this one is tuned to deliver 408bhp along with 369lb-ft (500nM) of torque.  It's hooked to Audi's new 7-speed S-Tronic dual clutch gearbox, and of course sends power to all four wheels through Haldex/Quattro AWD.  With 408bhp in a 3,380lb A3 sedan, it's obviously fast: Audi says it will launch to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds with a limited top speed of 155mph.  Fuel consumption is remarkably good for a 400 horsepower turbo sedan, averaging just under 26 MPG  combined, along with 202g CO2/km.

The interior will look nothing like this.

The rest of the car is standard A3/RS3 chassis bits with a flashy show-car interior.  Likelihood of production seems pretty high to me, but stranger things have (failed to) happen before.  Let us know what you think in the comments section below!