08-07-2025
2025 Audi A3 soldiers on with minor revisions
It marked a radical departure from the third-generation car in terms of styling, taking on a more aggressive persona. This extended to the cabin too, which featured Lamborghini-esque flavours, in the angular layout and shapes of the air-ventilation slots. The Italian firm, like Audi, is a part of the Volkswagen Group.
The changes to the enhanced A3 are subtle. You wonder if they could have done more. Look closely to spot the flatter, wider single-frame grille, larger intake sections, and refreshed headlamp design with pixel elements. An updated rear bumper execution incorporates a diffuser-like element, contributing to a sportier feel. Our test unit wore a decal package, with black inserts depicting the Audi logo.
The updates inside are similarly modest. And in some respects, unwelcomed — like the smaller, cheaper-looking gear selector nib, replacing the elegant metallic unit previously deployed. Look out for new decorative inlays, additional lighting and the option of microfibre upholstery material designed to look like suede, complementing the leatherette seat covering. Our test unit had fabric inlays instead, with a racy, red checkered pattern.
We should also note the rollout of the new Audi emblem: gone is the chrome-faced, 3D device previously used. Again, it looks much cheaper and probably brings a cost saving across the board. We observed the same when Volkswagen went the route of flat 2D emblems on its cars.
Audi has rationalised the A3 model line, simplifying trim lines and adding more in terms of standard fare.
The basic iterations have fallen away completely, leaving the S-Line as the default model in both sedan and Sportback versions, with a single engine choice on offer. That is the 35 TFSI, which uses the familiar 1.4l, four-cylinder, turbocharged-petrol unit. This is linked to an eight-speed automatic.
Above the S-Line is a Black Edition trim which, as the name implies, adds a darker aesthetic theme to the mix. The S3 derivative has been culled.
