While still holding off on details regarding the A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in, Audi has now announced that front-wheel-drive versions of its 2017 A3 Sedan and Cabriolet will be fitted with a more powerful and more fuel-efficient 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged TFSI engine in place of the existing T-charged 1.8-liter. The new 2.0T – which also is used in the efficiency-focused 2017 Audi A4 ultra – has a significantly higher compression ratio and a unique combustion setup. In this application, it develops 186 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, gains of 16 and 21 output units, respectively. The 2.0T engine is backed by a new 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission in place of the previous 6-speed. Collectively, they contribute to a 29-mpg combined EPA rating for the A3 Sedan – up from 27 mpg – while trimming 0.6 seconds off of its 0-60 mph sprint time with similar gains realized by the A3 Cabrio.
Following up on earlier information regarding the 2017 A3 Quattro AWD models, Audi also released pricing information for these new 2.0T front-drive A3s. The 2017 A3 Sedan will open at $32,150 in Premium trim, with the Premium Plus version starting at $35,400 and the Prestige variant commencing at $41,100. The 2017 A3 2.0T Cabriolet kicks off at $38,550 with the Premium Plus and Prestige trims commanding $41,800 and $47,500. All of those numbers include $950 in destination. Like their Quattro siblings, these upgraded FWD A3s are set to arrive in dealers later this fall.
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