NEW YORK AUTO SHOW: Audi Surprises Us With Its A3 TDI Sportback — It's US-Bound!

It seems as though some outfits have been operating under cloak and dagger. We say that because Audi has surprised us with news that it will be bringing the A3 TDI Sportback to the United States.

Until now we were under the impression that the A3 would simply remain a sedan. Not the case as the 2014 New York Auto Show will be the launching point for the sportback.

For the FULL details, read on below!

Audi's press release follows:

Audi introduces the all-new Audi A3 TDI Sportback

- The decision to bring the Audi A3 Sportback TDI® clean diesel to the U.S. market follows an outpouring of enthusiasts’ support
- The newest model will arrive in 2015 to join the aggressive Audi push to expand the compact luxury segment
- The A3 TDI Sportback will join the A3 e-tron Sportback to provide a range of efficiency choices in a versatile design

HERNDON, Va., April 16, 2014 – Fans have spoken and Audi is responding with the all-new Audi A3 TDI Sportback set to arrive in the U.S. in the summer of 2015. The A3 TDI Sportback is the latest model to join the newly launched Audi A3 family and the expanded model lineup of Audi TDI models.

2014 New York Auto Show

It will make its U.S. debut at the New York International Auto Show on April 16th. The A3 TDI Sportback is a premium, compact hatchback that pairs fuel efficiency and coupe-like looks with the utility of a crossover. Its quality engineering and advanced features offer ideal performance and functionality along with advanced technology and driving dynamics.

“The A3 TDI Sportback has an incredibly passionate and loyal fan base, this new version has been one of our most requested models since the announcement of the new A3 family,” said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. “This new A3 TDI Sportback combines excellent fuel economy with advanced technology and utility and will make a stunning addition to the already impressive A3 family.”

The A3 TDI Sportback will join the newly launched all-new A3 family, which will be introduced over the next 18 months – the Audi A3 Sedan, Audi A3 Cabriolet, A3 TDI clean diesel sedan, the high-performance S3 Sedan and the A3 Sportback e-tron® gasoline electric hybrid (PHEV). These vehicles are redefining the standards of the entry level premium market with new innovative technologies and the detailed craftsmanship found in larger flagship Audi sedans.

In addition to advanced technology, the Audi A3 TDI Sportback will offer the consumer the fuel efficiency of the iconic Audi TDI clean diesel powertrain. This will include a 150 horsepower 2.0 TDI® clean diesel mated to the standard 6-speed S tronic® transmission. This transmission provides the driver immense shifting flexibility and driving pleasure with smooth, dynamic acceleration and virtually no interruption to the power flow.

Audi has now answered with two sportback options, the A3 e-tron PHEV and the newly announced A3 TDI. When these two models reach the market next year Audi will have a compelling green narrative in the versatile sportback packaging. One choice for eco-conscious drivers facing a typical American commute, another for those with longer daily hauls who require the superb range TDI offers.

The A3 marks the first time that an A-segment vehicle will offer available features including MMI® technology, Audi drive select, 4G LTE connectivity and Bang & Olufsen® audio. The new A3 family will feature the most advanced version of Audi connect®, including picture navigation, read-aloud news headlines, Facebook® and Twitter® alerts, access to more than 7,000 Web radio stations, personalized RSS news feeds and more.

Audi has been at the forefront of clean diesel since the introduction of Audi TDI technology in the U.S. in 2009. Since then, more than 37,500 Audi TDI vehicles have been sold in the U.S., delivering an average of 30% better fuel economy and range than their gasoline counterparts (based on EPA fuel economy estimates). Continuing the brand’s commitment to clean diesel technology and innovative solutions that help improve efficiency and driving dynamics, Audi has made a dramatic expansion of TDI technology in the U.S., with five 2014 models available including the A6, A7, A8 L, Q5, and Q7.

Audi TDI technology provides drivers with fewer trips to the pump, excellent performance and lower CO2 emissions than comparable gasoline vehicles (based on EPA estimates). In 2014, Audi of America will introduce the all-new A3 TDI sedan in the U.S.

**Keep your browsers locked on AutoSpies.com for the latest 2014 New York Auto Show coverage! AND, tell all your friends!

The 2014 New York Auto Show photo galleries are sponsored by Lexus.

2014 New York Auto Show

Nostradamus - 4/16/2014 1:17:31 AM

+5 Boost

Same old AUDI design over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over again.

Nothing whatsoever to get excited about and if ANY other company was as lazy/complacent with their designs as these German companies (especially Audi/VW) they'd be lambasted to High Heaven.

cidflekken - 4/16/2014 2:07:17 AM

+1 Boost

Looks pretty much exactly like the previous version.

Saw an A3 sedan yesterday and had to look carefully to make that's what it was. Completely nondescript and had practically zero road presence. Certainly didn't distinguish itself from the rest of the traffic. This sportback will fare no better.

jeffgall - 4/16/2014 6:27:25 AM

-2 Boost

Read the article. Audi is not targeting the motoring enthusiast with this model as much as they are going after the green market, setting up to do battle with the likes of the Lexus ct200h and other hybrids/plugins

xjug1987a - 4/16/2014 9:26:37 AM

+1 Boost

The Diesel will attract a number of buyers. The efficiency is hard to pass up and agree with Jeffgall. For folks that want a car to go to work and back, this car would be perfect. Its a small, efficient, "luxury car" but is not a Mazda 3 (great car, but kid stuff). Its an Audi which means it will have a leather interior, nice appointments & technology, Quattro and cache. If they put the Diesel in the sedan that would be great too, but the SportBack offers better utility. I love the A5 SportBack they do not bring to the US. Its about the same size as my 2003 A6 Quattro, perhaps my favorite car, but the lift back makes it incredibly useful.

W124E320 - 4/16/2014 10:14:26 AM

+4 Boost

Agree with you xjug, its a nicer car than it replaces, though it doesn't look much different.

MattDarringer - 4/16/2014 11:00:44 AM

-2 Boost

Home run! This will fly out of the dealer. We should have no problem retailing our allocation. This is a shrewd product for Audi and makes the Golf Sportwagen TDI AWD pointless. The latter will wind up costing as much as an Audi and the Audi looks better.

hungng4691 - 4/16/2014 3:35:10 PM

0 Boost

Mazda is kid stuff. Where did you get your idea from? Do you know how to
make a reliable car yourself? Do you know what moment of inertia is?
Do you know how much engineering knowledge is needed to set up a
manufacturing line? Mazda even pioneered the use of ultra-high tensile
steel before the German.
Do you know what the Germans are good at? Engineering? Be more specific.
German are only good at mechanical engineering and its related fields.
Germans are weak at electrial/electronic engineering and software.
Please keep the Mazda kid stuff comment to yourself. The Mazda management
is laughing at you and your family the ignorant westerner.
Suddenly a phrase come to mind: Badge Whore
engineeing.

hungng4691 - 4/16/2014 5:45:40 PM

0 Boost

Hi Agent00X,
Are you offended by my comments? Below are an interesting post by JDMUSMuscle in the Lexus RC350 board:
http://www.autospies.com/news/NEW-YORK-AUTO-SHOW-STUD-or-DUD-Is-WHITE-RIGHT-On-The-Lexus-RC-350-F-Sport-80993/
A typical Euro badgewhore who only worships anything European and his/her typical racism against Asians at best.

Did you respond to that?

hungng4691 - 4/16/2014 6:04:48 PM

0 Boost

Agent00X:
Both you and I understand English semantics pretty well. What does "Kid Stuff" means in the original context? Does "Kid Stuff" mean good in that context to you? Don't spin the intended meaning?
"Kid stuff" means you Mazda not even in my superior German league. Mazda has never wanted
to be compared to Audi in the first place. It was xjug1987a who "opened his mouth" to try to
boost Audi's image (and his own manliness) and belittle Mazda. BTW, xjug1987a owns an Audi.
Why xjug1987a need to boost his manliness? If you know then please let all the interested readers
on this board know.

I wonder whether the German auto manufacturers like to see those "closet racXXX" westerners
buying their cars once those Chinese are offended by those "closet racXXX" wersterners'
comments. Are German stupid? Where can they make more money from "closet racXXX"
westerners? Or they can make more from (where I wonder)???

BTW, I own a 2000 Boxster S.

Patronus - 4/16/2014 12:15:14 PM

+1 Boost

Seriously? They come so close to a home run but fail in the same ways over and over again.

TDI is great. 5-door is great. Wait, I can only get an automatic and I can't get Quattro? So close, yet so far away.

GermanNut - 4/16/2014 12:38:20 PM

-2 Boost

For those unaware, Audi is taking its design philosophy in a different direction with more aggressive and differentiated exterior design with the upcoming A4 Sedan and Q7 SUV being the two models that will usher in this design change.

The 2015 Audi A3 Sedan will have a diesel TDI variant later in 2014.

Terry989 - 4/16/2014 1:31:39 PM

+5 Boost

I anxiously waiting on this more aggressive design style that you have been telling us about for the past 12-months. I haven't seen it yet, but when I do, I'll be back the the dealer to see if it works, until then, I can pass. Of course Audi will also have to offer a manual transmission option, which is looking less and less likely, or I'll have to cross Audi off the list again.