Sportiness and dynamism, superior technology and high-quality appeal: all the credentials that Audi A3 drivers have cherished since the model was first launched. Thanks to its painstaking attention to detail, Audi has now been able to bring the strengths of its compact model even more to the fore as well as enhance both its looks and its engineering.

The most striking example of this is the new single-frame front grille, which now presides at the front end of the three-door model. Numerous improvements have been made to the model's engineering and levels of comfort too, which combine to make journeys in the A3 an even more pleasurable experience. With a choice of four and six-cylinder power units delivering up to 184 kW (250 bhp), front-wheel drive or quattro permanent four-wheel drive and the option of the revolutionary new DSG Direct Shift Gearbox, the technology certainly lives up to all the promise of the dynamic outer styling - supreme driving pleasure packaged in a sporty exterior that fits like a glove, both in the three-door model and in the five-door A3 Sportback.

The three-door version now sports the new Audi face in the form of the single-frame front grille design, which makes the car's breeding stand out more plainly than ever. The vehicle's nose is not the only area to have undergone a visual transformation, though. For the first time ever, the A3 can also be ordered with the S line exterior package from quattro GmbH, which is geared towards sporty drivers in particular. New colours and new wheel designs offer yet greater scope for personalisation, as do the new Fine Nappa covers for the sports seats. The exclusive Line package, which adds yet a further touch of refinement to the car, has likewise been made available for the A3 for the first time. The design of the central element in the new three-spoke and four-spoke steering wheels, meanwhile, takes its cue from the single frame front grille too.

The A3 continues to raise the bar in terms of build quality and material selection. Such high quality is normally only found in more luxurious, premium-segment models. The additional equipment features now allow Audi to offer customers an even more exclusive range of choice.

Quite apart from the numerous styling modifications, many advancements have been made on the technical side too. The distinctive sports suspension now produces an even more comfortable ride, while the existing full complement of safety features has been supplemented by yet another system, which has been incorporated into the advanced ESP.

The new system aids the driver in critical situations by means of steering assistance. If the vehicle's tail is about to slide out and the driver correctly opts for a stabilising steering adjustment, resistance at the steering wheel will be reduced. However, if there is a risk of the critical situation being aggravated by the driver making an incorrect adjustment to the steering, resistance is increased. The Audi hill hold assist, meanwhile, offers extra convenience and added safety by preventing the vehicle from rolling backwards on an uphill incline

Six-cylinder power, FSI direct petrol injection, the totally unique Turbo FSI twin-pack as well as high-torque TDI powerplants boasting high-pressure pump-nozzle injection, combined with the DSG Direct Shift Gearbox with twin clutch, 5 and 6-speed manual transmissions and a state-of-the-art 6-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, plus quattro permanent four-wheel drive: all of the engines and transmissions in the Audi A3 portfolio share the same undeniably sporty flair, yet are so diverse that the range leaves absolutely nothing to be desired.