Second generation Audi A3 to debut at Geneva Motor Show

Feb 21, 2003 - To be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, the new Audi A3 is an evolutionary design, sharing much or its exterior design identity with its predecessor that was launched in 1997. But the car is a significant new design based on a new platform soon to be used by other Volkswagen group products including the fifth generation Golf due next year.

Although the Volkswagen Touran mini MPV, also based on this platform, precedes the A3 by a few months, the Audi is a better indicator of how Volkswagen group see the development of the European lower medium car class.

One of the most interesting aspects of this is that the A3 is marginally lower than its predecessor when all other cars in its sector have grown significantly in height in their latest iteration. This low height accentuates the A3’s relatively ‘sporting’ character and ensures that it is further differentiated from mainstream branded cars.

The previous A3 had nominally the same dimensions as the rest of the lower medium Volkswagen group cars that shared its platform. But it is likely that criticism of the similarity between these designs from Skoda, Seat, Volkswagen and Audi will mean that this new platform will be less rigid in how it effects the different brands’ designs, and so the new Golf, Leon and Octavia will probably have a greater variety of proportions and will be taller cars than the A3.

The four brands will also be differentiated more in their interior design, with the A3 featuring a dedicated interior (the original A3 shared much of its interior design with the Seat Leon). Although an evolutionary development of its predecessor’s interior theme, the new design has circular air vents similar to those of the TT, albeit without the chrome bezels. A subtle, but significant interior design innovation is the large molding for the core part of the IP which extends all the way across the cabin and also vertically down through to the gear stick surround in one unbroken sweep.

Outside, the most interesting aspect to a conservative design identity is the double Audi grille that links together graphically through the central section of the bumper. This is perhaps the last new Audi to feature a double grille, with the forthcoming large coupe and A6 expected to have a full depth, single grille aperture. Expect a face-lifted A3 in a couple of years time to join the rest of the new range of Audis with this new, imposing corporate facial identity.

Apart from this strong face, the exterior design of the A3 is notable for the weakening of the muscular Audi shoulder and its adoption of a groove in its flanks, at the base of the shoulder, akin to the previous generation Civic (and not dissimilar to the traditional BMW step, just shunned in the latest 7 series and Z4).

The new A3 will deliver on its sporting image more convincingly than its predecessor as it distances itself proportionally from mainstream branded lower medium cars. The design is logical in its evolutionary approach and looks likely to be one of the most popular choices for those who want a compact, high quality car that is discrete, yet clearly a ‘cut above’ in image. Expect it soon in every posh neighborhood near you!

	Second generation Audi A3 to debut at Geneva Motor Show by Sam Livingstone
	Click for larger images	Feb 21, 2003 - To be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, the new Audi A3 is an evolutionary design, sharing much or its exterior design identity with its predecessor that was launched in 1997. But the car is a significant new design based on a new platform soon to be used by other Volkswagen group products including the fifth generation Golf due next year. Although the Volkswagen Touran mini MPV, also based on this platform, precedes the A3 by a few months, the Audi is a better indicator of how Volkswagen group see the development of the European lower medium car class. One of the most interesting aspects of this is that the A3 is marginally lower than its predecessor when all other cars in its sector have grown significantly in height in their latest iteration. This low height accentuates the A3’s relatively ‘sporting’ character and ensures that it is further differentiated from mainstream branded cars. The previous A3 had nominally the same dimensions as the rest of the lower medium Volkswagen group cars that shared its platform. But it is likely that criticism of the similarity between these designs from Skoda, Seat, Volkswagen and Audi will mean that this new platform will be less rigid in how it effects the different brands’ designs, and so the new Golf, Leon and Octavia will probably have a greater variety of proportions and will be taller cars than the A3. The four brands will also be differentiated more in their interior design, with the A3 featuring a dedicated interior (the original A3 shared much of its interior design with the Seat Leon). Although an evolutionary development of its predecessor’s interior theme, the new design has circular air vents similar to those of the TT, albeit without the chrome bezels. A subtle, but significant interior design innovation is the large molding for the core part of the IP which extends all the way across the cabin and also vertically down through to the gear stick surround in one unbroken sweep. Outside, the most interesting aspect to a conservative design identity is the double Audi grille that links together graphically through the central section of the bumper. This is perhaps the last new Audi to feature a double grille, with the forthcoming large coupe and A6 expected to have a full depth, single grille aperture. Expect a face-lifted A3 in a couple of years time to join the rest of the new range of Audis with this new, imposing corporate facial identity. Apart from this strong face, the exterior design of the A3 is notable for the weakening of the muscular Audi shoulder and its adoption of a groove in its flanks, at the base of the shoulder, akin to the previous generation Civic (and not dissimilar to the traditional BMW step, just shunned in the latest 7 series and Z4). The new A3 will deliver on its sporting image more convincingly than its predecessor as it distances itself proportionally from mainstream branded lower medium cars. The design is logical in its evolutionary approach and looks likely to be one of the most popular choices for those who want a compact, high quality car that is discrete, yet clearly a ‘cut above’ in image. Expect it soon in every posh neighborhood near you!