The A3 is entering a new generation for 2022
A 48-volt hybrid system will be standard
The S3 will still be available, but not as a hybrid
The Audi A3 is the smallest and most affordable vehicle of the German brand, and for 2022, it is entirely reworked.
The biggest news is the introduction of a 48-volt mild hybrid system that will be standard on the base A3 40 TFSI Quattro. By allowing the engine to turn off while the car is coasting, it can bump the fuel economy up to 31 mpg (7.6 L/100 km) combined rating, a 24% improvement over the outgoing model.
The Front wheel drive entry model will return 32 mpg (7.4L/100 km), an improvement of 2 mpg (0.4 L/100 km).
This hybrid system will be paired with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The S3 will still be available, but it won’t be electrified.
Instead, the S3 will be powered by a more powerful engine that produces 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
Cosmetically, changes are relatively minor, since the general shape of the A3 is maintained, but the front and rear ends are modified. Up front, a bigger grille is present, as are Audi’s new matrix LED headlamps, although they are optional.
Many features are now standard, such as the lane departure warning system and a 10.1-inch infotainment display.
Available features include a 12.3-inch virtual cockpit gauge cluster, heads up display, 360-degree cameras, as well as a number of active safety and driver assist features like rear cross-traffic alert and Park assist.
The first 2022 Audi A3 and S3 models have already begun to reach dealerships in North America.
