Audi A3 2019 pricing and specs revealed

The Audi A3 2019 range has been revised with new naming across all variants of the sedan, Sportback and Cabriolet lines.

The Sportback five-door hatch line-up now kicks off with the newly named A3 30 TFSI Sportback (from $36,600 plus on-road costs), before moving up to the 35 TFSI COD Sportback ($40,700), and the flagship 40 TFSI model available in front-wheel drive ‘sport’ guise ($46,800) or the 'quattro S' line all-wheel drive model, at $50,400.

The sedan is available in 35 TFSI COD trim ($42,300) or as a 40 TFSI sport FWD model ($48,400) or with AWD at $52,000.

The Cabriolet is available in 35 TFSI COD ($49,800) spec, as a 40 TFSI sport variant ($55,900) or with quattro for $59,900. 

Here’s a rundown on what those new names actually mean.

The 30 TFSI Sportback is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 85kW of power and 200Nm of torque, and it comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The 35 TFSI COD models use a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 110kW/250Nm, and the COD stands for cylinder on demand, as it can run on two cylinders under low loads. It uses a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

The 40 TFSI models have a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 140kW/320Nm, with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto used whether you opt for the front-wheel drive model or the quattro AWD version. 

Not a lot has changed in terms of standard equipment across the model lines. 

The 30 TFSI has auto lights and wipers, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels, tyre pressure monitoring, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, cloth seat trim, metallic interior trim highlights, dual-zone climate control, front and rear floor mats, leather steering wheel, a 7.0-inch media screen with sat nav and eight speakers, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming.

The 35 TFSI features 17-inch alloys, high gloss exterior trim pack, leather seat trim, aluminium interior trim finishes, an interior storage package (nets on seat backs, 12-volt socket in rear console, luggage compartment nets), and it also gets paddle-shifters. 

The 40 TFSI versions move to a different 17-inch wheel for FWD variants, plus there are sports leather seats up front, five drive modes to choose from, and there’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity in this trim grade.

The 40 TFSI AWD models move to an 18-inch rims, plus these models get lowered sports suspension and full-LED headlights. Both the 40 TFSI versions have added safety gear in the form of blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. 

All models come with auto emergency braking (AEB) that works at city speeds, as well as seven airbags (five for the Cabriolet). High-speed AEB, adaptive cruise control, auto high-beam lights and lane keep assist are optionally available on all grades.

The S3 remains available across hatch, sedan and convertible lines, and the RS3 sedan and hatchback are still on the books, too. Thankfully there are no further alphanumeric suffixes to the speedy models.

Audi A3 2019 list pricing:

Sportback
30 TFSI Sportback 1.0L auto FWD	$36,600
35 TFSI Sportback 1.4L auto FWD	$40,700
40 TFSI Sportback 2.0L auto FWD	$46,800
40 TFSI Sportback 2.0L auto AWD	$50,400
Sedan
35 TFSI sedan 1.4L auto FWD	$42,300
40 TFSI sedan 2.0L auto FWD	$48,400
40 TFSI sedan 2.0L auto AWD	$52,000
Cabriolet
35 TFSI convertible 1.4L auto FWD	$49,800
40 TFSI convertible 2.0L auto FWD	$55,900
40 TFSI convertible 2.0L auto AWD	$59,900

Is Audi's new naming strategy better than it was? Tell us in the comments below.