The "Baby Sedan", Audi A3, coming next month to rule Indian roads, Expected price INR 25-27 lakhs

The "Baby Sedan", Audi A3, coming next month to rule Indian roads, Expected price INR 25-27 lakhs

Titled as the best entry level luxury hatch back of the year, and the baby sedan of Audi the A3 is ready to set its mark on the Indian tarmac by August. But before its official launch the German luxury car maker Audi has started local production of the model from VW group firm Skoda's Aurangabad (India) plant.

The A3 will be the first model from the Audi stable to be loca lly produced before being launched in India. On the other hand models, such as sedans A6 and A4; SUVs Q5, Q7 and Q3 which are locally produced now were imported as completely built units (CBU's) at the time of launch.

"The local production of the Audi A3 Sedan in India is in continuation of our growth strategy and consistent focus on the Indian market," Audi Board Member for Production, Hubert Waltl said.�

The Audi A3 hatchback is completely new in every aspect, and ready for the competition. Audi representative told GoGo TecNic that they have no plans for now to launch a 5 door or sportsback edition of A3 as a hatchback isn't viewed as premium enough for Indian car buyers.

Techical Specifications are the A3 will be powered by both petrol and diesel, both equipped with automatic gearboxes. The 1.8-litre TFSI direct-injection turbo petrol engine is tuned to make 177-bhp, while the 2.0-litre diesel engine puts out 141bhp. Audi has also introduced a new nomenclature for the India-spec cars with the A3. So, now instead of 2.0TDI, the car badging would now be 35TDI and the more powerful petrol variant would be 40TFSI instead of the typical 1.8TFSI. The numbers in the new nomenclature are relative indicators of power that a particular model makes.

Explaining the reasons for producing the A3 in India even before it is launched, he said: "The market potential coupled with the world-class infrastructure in the plant, efficient working processes, qualified workforce and a well-developed logistics environment were the factors that motivated us to expand the product portfolio at the Aurangabad plant".

The whole-year capacity at the plant for all Audi models is more than 14,000 units in a one-shift operation. Bullish on the potential of the A3, Audi India Head Joe King said: "We believe that the launch of this car would see us further consolidating our market share and strengthen our leadership position". In 2013 Audi sold 10,002 units in India, becoming the first luxury car maker to cross the 10,000 units milestone and stay as the number one ahead of German rivals Mercedes (9,003 units) and BMW (7,327 units).

He further said: "The Audi A3 Sedan will be a game-changer for us in India, since it will open up the Luxury segment like never before...I feel that the Audi A3 sedan is just the right product for the Indian market". Globally, Audi A3 has been a huge success and was voted 'World Car of the Year' in 2014 overcoming 23 other rivals, King added.

In India, the luxury car market has seen the likes of hatchbacks A Class and B Class from Mercedes and 1 Series from BMW that has improved the affordability range with prices starting just above Rs. 20 lakh. The Audi A3 is also targeting aspiring customers as well as repeat bu yers. "(With) Audi A3 Sedan, we will be creating a new segment, that of the compact luxury sedan, in India. The Audi A3 sedan will attract an entirely new customer segment," King said.

Estimated price tag when its on sale is expected to be around INR 25-27 lakhs (Ex-Showroom).