2013 Audi A3 Three-door Hatchback photos

Allow us to give a big hat tip to offgate reader "Fcorbs" who quickly noticed the digital rendering of the 2013 Audi A3 3-door hatchback in one of the photos of the upcoming compact model's interior released only moments ago by the German firm on the occasion of the CES in Las Vegas.
As viewed in this image, the exterior design of the third iteration of A3 hatchback keeps the basic body style of the current model adding a more distinct fascia with its key stylistic elements such as the six-point grille and headlamps borrowed directly from the RS3 sedan concept shown in Geneva last year.
Also notable is the more pronounced beltline that has made its way on all new Audi models as well as the door mounted exterior mirrors.
Audi has already confirmed that the new A3 will enter production later this year, with the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March being a prime candidate for its world premiere.

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All-New 2013 Audi A3's Interior

In a similar way that General Motors used the presentation of its new CUE infotainment system to reveal the dashboard of its Cadillac XTS back in October, Audi brought a cutaway of its upcoming 2013 A3's interior to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to display its current technologies and future projects. We'll get to the technological features later on, but for now, let's concentrate on the design of the dashboard that will find its way on all body styles of the next A3 including the three door hatchback, five door Sportback, four-door sedan and two-door convertible models.
The styling is typical Audi and closely resembles that of the smaller A2 series albeit polished up with decorative trims plus a more upscale instrument panel and center dash. The latter is also angled more towards the driver.
In addition, the lower console is positioned much higher than were used to in mainstream models like the A3.
But there's a reason for that. Among the many features introduced in the new A3 is an electromechanical parking brake and the next generation of Audi's MMI infotainment system, with the controls for both systems located on the center tunnel console.
The central component of the MMI is the touchwheel that merges the touchpad and rotary pushbutton into a single unit for the first time. Audi says that the round pushbutton has a cap with a touch-sensitive surface that allows users to enter characters by finger movement.
There are also two rocker switches in front of the touchwheel that directly operate the most important areas of Telephone/Navigation and Media/Radio respectively, while a Menu key and a Back key complete the MMI's key set.
Audi says it has also revamped the MMI's interface while there's also a new 7-inch LED screen with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels that delivers 3D graphics, and which extends electrically from the top of the dashboard above the center console.
There's also a new Audi Phone Box that can couple any type of cell phones to the vehicle.
Audi also proposed a conceptual multiple head-up display (HUD), with the driver, front and rear passengers all getting their own HUDs on the windshield, though we're not so sure how that would work from a safety perspective (unless the driver can't see the other displays).

[From Audi Press Release]
The driver and front passenger each have their own head-up display available to them; the driver’s is contact-analogue, while the passenger has a conventional head-up display. Both displays show digital travel guides, news and pictures from video telephone calls. In the interest of safety, the driver is shown only static images and simple animations. If the passenger uses a wiping motion to pull the applications into his or her line of vision, all video functions become available.
Visible to all occupants is a central third projection, whose image appears to lie on the windshield. The driver or front passenger can move contents they are currently viewing to this central field with an easy, quick movement so that they can view it together. A camera detects the movements and directs the appropriate signals to the system.

The new A3 will be revealed this year, possibly as early as the Geneva Motor Show in March.

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Audi to Build Second Plant in China for A3 Production

The country with the most car brands and factories in the world just agreed to let Audi to open another plant. Audi made the announcement today stating that FAW-VW, the VW Group's current Chinese operation, will set up a new plant in Foshan for the production of the next generation of the A3.

“Our ties with China and our partner FAW date back more than 20 years”, said Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler at the ceremony announcing the new production site. “In order to be able to tackle future challenges together as well, we want to strengthen our presence significantly in China and further strengthen our strategic partnership. The new plant is an important milestone in our long-term growth strategy in China.”
 
The new plant that will include press, body and paint shops as well as a full assembly line, will be built on a site covering 100-hectares and employ around 4,000 people. It will become operational in 2013 and its annual capacity will be between 150,000 to 200,000 units.
VW and its Chinese partner FAW plan to invest a total of three billion euros in the next five years for the expansion of the Audi brand. Apart from the Foshan factory, Audi’s existing plant in Changchun, which has been operating for more than 20 years and currently manufactures long-wheelbase versions of the A4 and A6 saloons along with the Q5 SUV, will see its production volume increased to 500,000 and 550,000 units per year.
It’s clear that Audi, which is already the market leader in the local luxury segment and expects to exceed 300,000 sales in 2011 for the first time ever, plans a rapid and high-volume expansion in China.

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