On the motorway, the system allows the car to change lanes itself when the driver activates the indicator and enables automatic braking at red lights. If the vehicle has not come to a complete stop, the A3 will automatically drive on when the light turns green.
For the first time, the longitudinal and lane-guidance systems also use swarm data, meaning the vehicle adjusts its own speed to the average speed of the road. Top-of-the-range models are also available with park assist plus and pro, which allow the A3 to pull into and out of parking spaces on its own, both with the driver inside or outside using an app.
Another new feature offered on the A3 line-up is ‘trained parking’, which allows the car to memorise specific parking manoeuvres and, after doing it just once, will be able to park automatically from then on. Ideal if it’s very tricky getting into your garage or onto your driveway.
Order books for the facelifted Audi A3 will open in September with prices starting from £28,650, meaning it’s slightly cheaper than the outgoing model that starts from just over £30k.
The regular A3 will be available with the same selection of hatchback or saloon bodystyles, and petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid engines, although the PHEV can now tow up to 1,700kg – 300kg more than before. The trim level options will be Technik, Sport, S line and Black Edition.
The Audi S3, with its 328bhp 2.0-litre four-pot engine, is also ever-so slightly cheaper and will now start at £49,960. But the Audi RS 3, which still features a 394bhp five-cylinder motor, is more expensive than before, and now will start from £63,655.
If you don’t want to wait for the new Audi A3 to arrive, there are plenty of deals available on the current model through the Auto Express Buy A Car service. You can even save nearly £4,000 off the price of the sensational RS 3.
