Preview of the 2021 Audi A3

After unveiling the redesigned A3 Sportback to the world in March, Audi announced the updated A3 sedan on Tuesday.

The new A3 will arrive at dealers in Europe this summer, but no U.S. launch date has yet been announced. It will probably arrive late this year or early next year, but the A3 Sportback will not join it. It also seems unlikely that the regular A3 Cabriolet will be reproduced.

The new A3 is based on an updated version of Volkswagen's MQB modular platform. The updated platform debuted on the redesigned Volkswagen Golf last October and introduces new systems for the A3's all-wheel drive, suspension damping and speed-sensitive steering.

In terms of design, the new A3 follows the formula of the current model, but looks considerably more refined overall. The grille is slightly larger and the headlights have more pronounced drop-shaped elements. The body shape has also been slightly enlarged. At 14.8 feet long, the new A3 is 1.6 inches longer than its predecessor, but the wheelbase remains the same.

Inside, there's a digital instrument cluster, a large touchscreen infotainment system that recognizes hand typed text and responds to natural voice commands, and a color head-up display. Electronic driver assistance systems include adaptive cruise control, collision warning, a surround-view camera, and a performance monitoring system that uses navigation data to inform the driver when it is best to let off the gas pedal.

Powertrain options for the new A3 in the U.S. have not yet been announced. In the rest of the world, it will be offered with a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four with a gasoline engine or a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four with a diesel engine; models with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission will also feature a mild hybrid system. The standard transmission is a six-speed manual.

Eventually there will be new versions of the "energetic" S3 and RS 3 models: the S3 will receive a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, and the RS 3 will receive a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine. The power of the latter should be more than 400 hp.

Previously, the A3's only real competitors were the Acura ILX and Mercedes-Benz CLA, but in recent years new rivals such as the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, Cadillac CT4 and Mercedes A Class have emerged.

For more information on the Audi A3, see Car Connection's in-depth review.