(March 27, 2013) Audi officially announced plans today for the arrival of the all-new 2015 Audi A3 sedan in the first quarter of 2014. The new Audi A3 sedan will bring to the A segment innovative technologies and the detailed craftsmanship found in larger flagship Audi sedans.

The A3 sedan has been enhanced thanks to numerous engineering improvements under the hood. The A3 model line offers four different engine variants including the 170 horsepower 1.8 gas engine, and 150 horsepower 2.0 TDI clean diesel. A low and high-output 2.0 TFSI will be used in the A3 quattro and S3 quattro respectively. Horsepower figures for the 2.0 TFSI engines will be available closer to launch.

All engines are mated to the standard 6-speed S tronic transmission which provides the driver immense shifting flexibility and driving pleasure with smooth, dynamic acceleration and virtually no interruption to the power flow.

New to the A3, the Audi drive select allows the driver to adjust throttle response, shift points, and the electromechanical steering effort. Similar to other Audi models, Audi drive select has four settings that include Auto, Dynamic, Comfort and Individual.

Audi also confirmed today that it will be adding to the all-new A3 family by offering the A3 Sportback with a plug-in gasoline electric hybrid (PHEV) model in the U.S. market. Audi recently revealed the A3 Sportback e-tron at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

This vehicle demonstrates the production intent of e-tron using plug in hybrid technology, a practical first step towards electrified driving which mitigates the range anxiety concerns associated with most full battery electric vehicles. The e-tron name denotes any Audi electric vehicle with plug-in capabilities. The A3 e-tron shown in Geneva displayed a power train with a combined 204 hp and 258 lb-ft torque.

“The Audi A3 will set the new benchmark among entry-level luxury sedans,” said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. “This A3 line-up redefines the standards of its class in dynamics, efficiency, technology, craftsmanship and performance.”

With the first generation A3, Audi established a whole new market segment — the premium Sportback compact class vehicle. Its quality, equipment, dynamic capabilities and value were adopted from larger Audi vehicles with an extra measure of sportiness and utility inherent in the 5 door Sportback body style. The third generation Audi A3 continues this tradition combined with the first production Audi e-tron vehicle.

The Audi A3 sedan breaks the boundaries and raises the bar as to what is expected out of entry-level luxury sedans. Even the base model of the all-new premium Audi A3 comes equipped with standard features that include leather upholstery, Bluetooth technology, rain sensing wipers, Audi pre sense basic and a panoramic glass sunroof.

In addition to the standard technologies, the Audi A3 sedan will feature new, segment first technologies. One key example is the implementation of the new NVIDIA graphics processing unit (GPU). The NVIDIA GPU generates complex three-dimensional images used in all online, voice control, media navigation and telephone functions.

Fundamentally, the Tegra graphics processor powers tablets and other mobile devices and is also used in 3D gaming and various medical applications. Another industry first includes the Audi phone box. The Audi phone box is a compartment located under the center armrest that boosts a mobile phone’s cellular coverage by wirelessly coupling to a specialized antenna in the rear windshield.