Sydney show: A3 V6 to top line-up

AUDI lobbed at the Sydney motor show with the 3.2-litre V6-engined quattro that will top the second-generation A3 hatch range that goes on sale here around April next year.

The 1.6 and 2.0-litre direct-injection four-cylinder versions are just six months away, but the range-topping 3.2 quattro will complete the three-door A3 range in August 2004.

And that’s not counting the even hotter S3 flagship to compete with Alfa’s 147 GTA, VWs R32 Golf and the Holden Astra Turbo.

To be priced under $70,000 when it gets here, the 3.2 will top a three-door A3 range that Audi says should start under the outgoing five-door, which means a sub-$40,000 starting point. The company hopes to increase sales slightly from the current 70 per month.

The five-door version - called the A3 Sportback - will debut at Geneva next March and get here around January 2005. It will look significantly different to the three-door, which means that Audi will keep selling both here, unlike the current generation.

Measuring 4203mm long, 1765mm wide and 1421mm high, the three-door A3 has a wheelbase of 2578mm, luggage capacity of 350 litres and fuel capacity of 55 litres. That makes it 30mm wider than before, 10mm lower and with a 65mm-longer wheelbase.

Matching the 147 GTA’s power output, the 3.2 A3 produces 184 kW at 6300rpm and 320Nm of torque from just 2500rpm – enough to propel the flagship A3 to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds and on to a (governed) top speed of 250km/h.

Previously only available with the performance-oriented S3, the A3 V6 will feature quattro all-wheel drive, while a its Direct Shift Gearbox comprises twin automated clutches that allow rapid gear changes without interrupting engine power. The driver changes gear either sequentially via the gear lever or the steering wheel paddles, while a full automatic mode is also included.

Cooking model A3s will comprise 1.6 and 2.0 FSI variants in manual (five-speed for 1.6 and six-speed for 2.0 FSI) and six-speed Tiptronic modes, with specification and pricing yet to be decided.