Audi India is optimistic about the success of the A3 in the country. It’s most affordable sedan yet; the A3 surely packs in the right equipment and attitude to be a successful proposition for buyers looking at luxury on a budget. Betting big on its latest offering, Audi has commenced the local production of the A3 compact sedan at Skoda’s Aurangabad plant (part of the Volkswagen Group). The A3 will be the first model from Audi to have been locally produced before being launched in the country.
Audi stated that the local production of the A3 sedan in India is in continuation of the company’s growth strategy and consistent focus on the Indian market. The company further states that the Aurangabad plant provides a well developed environment with world-class infrastructure, efficient working processes and qualified workforce that motivated the German automaker to expand its product portfolio at the facility. The plant has a capacity of producing 14,000 units of all Audi models in one-shift operation.
The last fiscal saw Audi India retail 10,002 units in the country, becoming the first luxury car manufacturer to cross the 10,000 unit milestone ahead of rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The automaker has gone aggressive with its plans for the A3 in the country, and is looking forward to consolidate and strengthen its position further in the luxury car market against the likes of the Mercedes A-Class, B-Class and BMW 1-Series that are also priced in the Rs. 20-30 lakh range.
Voted as the World Car of the Year 2014, the Audi A3 will be available with a 1.8-litre TFSI petrol engine producing 180 HP and 250 Nm, paired to a 7-speed S-Tronic automatic gearbox. While the 2.0-litre TDI unit produces 143 HP and 320 Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed S-Tronic automatic and will be the volume puller for Audi in the country. The A3 manages to strike the right balance between compact and luxury, offering the most of both worlds. Expected to be priced at around Rs. 28 lakhs (ex-showroom), the A3 will be launched on 7th August in India.
Read our comprehensive review of the Audi A3 HERE.
