Skip advert
Advertisement

New 2022 Audi A3 Citycarver spied during development testing

Audi will soon unveil its high-riding A3 Citycarver hatchback, to plug the gap between the Q2 and Q3 SUVs

Audi is gearing up for the launch of another niche-filling compact model. This time, it’s a jacked-up version of the A3 Sportback, which borrows some of the company’s more rugged design cues to create a new model that will fill the void between the Q2 and Q3 SUVs. 

The new Audi A3 Citycarver will follow the same design brief as the A1 Citycarver supermini, which was launched at the beginning of last year. However, due to that car’s poor sales performance in the UK, Auto Express understands that Audi will not be bringing the A3 version to Britain. 

As shown by our spy shots, the A3 Citycarver will get a similar styling treatment to the Allroad variants of the A4 and A6 Avant, with chunky front and rear bumpers, a raised ride- height, plastic wheel arch extensions and bigger alloy wheels wrapped in all-season tyres.

Advertisement - Article continues below

However, despite the styling similarities, Audi isn’t expected to use its Allroad nameplate for the jacked-up A3 because the hatchback won’t be available with its quattro all-wheel drive system, chiefly to keep CO2 emissions down.

The off-road makeover gives the A3 a more robust look, but it’ll remain quite a compact car at 4.3 metres long. That’s about 200mm shorter than a Q3, but 110mm longer than a Q2.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

In addition, the A3 Citycarver will be a unique addition to the ranks of compact executive hatchbacks when it arrives, because neither BMW nor Mercedes has plans to develop such a model. The Ford Focus Active and Kia XCeed are very similar in concept, but from mainstream brands.  

Like the standard fourth-generation Audi A3 hatchback, the Citycarver will be based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB underpinnings, meaning it’ll probably feature the same range of engines. Entry-level cars should be fitted with a 108bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, while mid-range variants will feature a 148bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit.

There’ll also be a few diesels, all based on the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit. The cheapest model will produce 114bhp, the mid-range variant will have 148bhp and the flagship will come with 197bhp. Whether or not the more potent 306bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine from the Audi S3 will be available remains to be seen – but we wouldn’t count on it.

Technology will be carried over from the standard A3 hatchback, too, with buyers getting Audi’s latest 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster (depending on the specification), as well as a host of connected services which can provide real-time data on parking availability and traffic flow.

Now click here to read our in-depth review of the fourth-generation Audi A3…

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024
New Audi A3 still planned: entry-level EV to give affordability edge over BMW and Mercedes
Audi A3 EV render - front
News

New Audi A3 still planned: entry-level EV to give affordability edge over BMW and Mercedes

Audi will persevere with its plan for an entry-level electric car to replace the existing Audi A3 at a time when rivals will be exiting that market
20 Mar 2024
New Audi A3 gets light facelift – in more ways than one
Audi A3 - front
News

New Audi A3 gets light facelift – in more ways than one

Audi’s updated premium hatchback gets a minor nip and tuck, with new, selectable lighting patterns
11 Mar 2024
Best-selling cars 2024: the UK’s top 10 most popular models
Best-selling cars 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best-selling cars 2024: the UK’s top 10 most popular models

These are the country’s most popular cars of the year so far, but which is in pole position?
5 Mar 2024

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024