Audi sees sedan becoming best-selling A3 variant

The A3 sedan might very well be the car that gives Audi that last final push it needs to dethrone BMW for the title of world's best-selling premium luxury brand.

With Audi determined to make the A3 sedan a huge seller in its fast growing markets of the United States and China, the model will add significant momentum to markets that are already enjoying rapid sales growth.

The interior, in typical Audi fashion, looks stunningly well-built and luxurious. The A3 sedan brings a whole new meaning to the term "minimalist" and "clean."

There is no doubt the A3 sedan will be an exceptionally sporty car to drive as well.

With the Mercedes-Benz CLA receiving mixed initial reviews regarding its interior quality, suspension and driving dynamics, and with the BMW 2-series sedan not launching for at least another 12 months at earliest, Audi might very well be able to rule the compact luxury sedan market and give its global sales a huge increase.

Seems a bit of an oxymoron to feel validated as the "premium luxury brand" top-seller when the push comes from the very entry-level offering.

And I've seen nothing but pretty good, positive reviews of the CLA.

The A4/5 is still a strong seller despite the fact that its engine is severely underpowered in 2.0T form and that it's the oldest model in class.

The new 2015 A4/5 will be the models that debut Audi's new aggressive, differentiated design philosophy. I'm sure Audi clearly sees that the turbo 2 liter, 4-cylinder is underpowered and will offer a mower powerful entry-level engine in the new model.

cidflekken, I've seen some pretty poor reviews of the Mercedes-Benz CLA:

This review from Auto Express is one: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mercedes/cla

Here is Auto Car's: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mercedes-benz/cla

When 26% of all BMWs sold globally are the 3-series it proves BMW isn't achieving its number one sales ranking by selling all 6-series, 7-series and X6s either:

http://www.ameinfo.com/bmw-3-series-remains-seller--332877

Nuttie, I wouldn't call them "poor reviews" at all. The biggest gripe is the ride, which makes sense, especially in the UK. But the trade off, which they both spell out is sportier handling. So, people will have to decide what the priorities are. No different than most cars today that either offer sporty handling, rougher ride, or smoother rides, a bit of body roll.

And inserting 3 Series sales as a comparison point is invalid when comparing to the notch-below A3 model. I would think that was a no-brainer. The reality is that the TRUE comparison for the 3-Series, the A4/A5, isn't doing what it needs to in order to bring Audi above BMW.

I drive an A4 2.0T and I wouldn't say it is underpowered by any means.

It looks like a Jetta with Audi gapping maw.

An A4 @ 75%?

Clip of the Audi S3 sedan, exterior and interior. 300 HP, 4.9 seconds to 100 km, 6.9 L/100 km
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDX2laIT-64

The Audi A3 sedan is more athletic, cool, elegant and cleaner looking than a Jetta... or a BMW 320i sedan... if you view things with objective eyes :)
http://tinyurl.com/jvts3pp
http://tinyurl.com/mgkpeal

The largest German car mag, Autobild, gave the Audi A3 sedan a very positive first drive review and expects the new Audi to be a viable, lower-cost alternative to the smaller-engined models of the BMW 3 series. Autobild's first drive report on the A3 sedan described this Audi "drives amazingly well", "extremely agile", "comfortable on rough roads", "precise steering", "no understeer." (and this was with the smaller 1.4 TFSI engine).
http://tinyurl.com/prmrr8o
http://tinyurl.com/munpkrd

The Audi A3 sedan 1.8 TFSI is much cheaper, just 6 inches shorter in length, about the same width/height, and just as fast as the BMW 320i. It may be even more fun to drive.

In Germany, the Audi A3 has two petrol models (with the 7-speed S ronic dual-clutch transmission):
- 1.8 TFSI (180 HP, 7.3 seconds to 100 km, 5.6 L/100 km, 1370 kg, 29,600 Euros)
- 1.4 TFSI (140 HP, 8.4 seconds to 100 km, 4.7 L/100 km, 1325 kg, 27,400.00 Euros)

A BMW 320i sedan with automatic transmission is 181 HP, 7.5 seconds to 100 km, 7.1 L/100 km, 1,495 kg. In Germany it costs 35,550.00 Euro.

The smart buyer will decide save 6,000 Euros with the Audi A3 1.8 TFSI.

Autobild's video on the Audi A3
http://www.autobild.de/videos/video-audi-a3-limousine-3939327.html