lordmenor

Adding the single grill to the 3 doors A3 is it call a facelift? The sporback is the same as the 1st one or i'm missing something, so this would be the 1st " facelift " 4 the 5 doors.
BTW the front looks more agressive, lets hope the don't put the A4/A5 tail lights, but i'm thinking they will as in the cabrio.
M.

Bartek Sikorski

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Audi’s A3 hatch is next in line to get the latest family face styling update as seen on the recently launched - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. The car gets the same sharper front end, reshaped grille and revised headlights to bring it in line with the cabrio as well as the A4 and A5 models.

Audi is also believed to be developing an additional sportback Avant model as previewed in this rendering of a five-door version.
Expect most of the current engine options to carry over, including the sporty S3 model complete with a 265bhp (195kW) version of the 3.2L V6. The A3 range-topper is also tipped to get the newer DSG transmission in the update but there’s been no official word from Audi.
The facelifted car is expected to be launched early next year and will be on sale until the next-gen model arrives in mid 2009 for the 2010 model year.
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Yannis

I wonder why Audi is making such an extensive facelift. Owners of the current model won't be happy , the resale value of their car will be significanlty reduced.

I would rather see them follow BMW's example which made only minor modifications to 1 series.

Centurion

This is one of the most conspicuous face lifts ever. Now there will be three different A3 in the dealerships. The first one, the second one with the huge single frame grill and a third model with slightly updated styling. Not good if you ask me.

Mr. M

Finally, a front that looks great even without the S-line package (ala B8 A4). Can't wait.

Nick118d

So guys,

what can we expect ?
The restyled SportbackA3 & restyled A3 could be presented at january's Brussels Auto Salon ? I'd sure like that

Nick

Bartek Sikorski

INGOLSTADT, Germany — A face-lift for the 2009 Audi A3 Sportback appears to be in the works, as evidenced by this prototype spy photographers caught testing at Audi's Tech Center in Germany. The styling refresh brings the future A3 closer to the new Audi A4, and adopting some key design features that are defining the new face of Audi.

Although the overall shape of the headlights appears unchanged, the lower portion of the lenses are obscured by tape, likely hiding a version of Audi's latest design innovation, the daytime LED strips found on the new A4 and Audi R8.

Headlight updates are joined by a new front bumper and new outer intakes that wrap further around the sides of the nose toward the front wheels. The Audi corporate grille appears largely unchanged, but the low central intake strip has been reshaped to closely resemble the A4. New side mirrors incorporate LED turn indicators.

Changes to the A3's rear end include a new rear bumper with a blacked-out portion at the bottom to provide a sportier stance.

What this means to you: No dramatic changes, but styling updates that solidify the A3's place in the Audi family. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor
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klier

So this is the second big facelift for this car?
Wouldn't it be about time to make a new A3 rather than a facelift?

SDNR

LOL ....I'm sure they're working on it klier

Yannis

Actually it's the first facelift for the Sportback. The 3 door A3 already had a minor facelift when the single grille was integrated into the front bumper around 2 years ago. So for the 3 door A3 this will be the second facelift.