Unofficial Picture: 2013 Audi A3

For those who just couldn’t wait a few more weeks until the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, official shots of Audi’s next-gen 2013 Audi A3 have hit the web a little ahead of schedule.

We already knew that the new Audi A3 was slated to make its official debut at the Geneva show and had gotten a glimpse at the car’s interior, but now we have the full monty. Thanks to Russian news site ZR.RU, images and details of Audi’s new compact hatch have leaked online. Previewed by the A3 Concept at last year’s Geneva show, the all-new A3 maintains the Four Rings’ corporate six-sided grille and front and rear LED running lights. The interior is decked out in black leather with contrasting bright orange stitching and bolsters. Dressing up the A3′s design are wheels that mimic the five-spoke grey alloy wheels, which are also found across Audi’s RS lineup.

Unlike the concept, the leaked pictures show the three-door hatchback; a five-door hatch and a new four-door sedan are also in the works. Expect the sedan to be the first A3 that we see in the U.S., as it has been supposedly designed specifically for the American and Chinese markets.

What’s beneath the skin? European-spec A3s are expected to launch with two forms of the ubiquitous turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4, although a turbo-diesel 1.6-liter TDI I-4 is also supposedly in the cards. At launch, all A3s will be front-wheel-drive, and sport either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Down the road, Quattro all-wheel drive, a hybrid driveline, and hotter S3 and RS3 models are expected to join the lineup.

The new Audi A3 is also the first car to ride on Volkswagen Group’s new modular MQB platform that will underpin the majority of future VW models, ranging from the subcompact Polo up to the midsize Passat.

Audi already previewed the 2013 A3′s cabin at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The styling buck showed off the car’s dashboard and front seats to highlight the brand’s latest MMI infotainment system, which debuts in the A3. The new system includes an upgraded processor and user interface, revised graphics, and a larger console-mounted dial with an integrated touchpad.

Thanks to: Motor Trend