If you’re in the market for a small, fast German sedan, you’re really spoiled for choices. If you don’t like the polarizing styling of the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG, there is the BMW M235i. But what happens if you want all-wheel drive or more doors than the Bimmer? Audi has the answer in the $41,400 2015 Audi S3 sedan.
Between the S3, M235i, and CLA45 the Audi makes the least amount of horsepower with 292 hp coming from its turbo four-cylinder engine. Power gets sent to the wheels through Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system. The CLA45 starts at $47,450, and gets pricey as you add options.
If you like driving your Audi with the sun in your hair, the Audi A3 Cabrio starts at $35,600 with the 1.8L turbo with front-wheel drive. Across the A3 line, adding the unlimited headroom of the convertible adds approximately $6,000 to the price of the car.
We imagine the Audi A3 TDI will be the popular choice among A3 buyers. Currently, they’re the only one of the German small sedans offering a diesel-powered alternative.
Opting for the oil burner will cost you $32,600 and it won’t be all-wheel drive. However, Audi’s diesels tend to easily exceed the EPA estimates on highway runs. If you do a lot of driving and are looking for a premium small car, the Audi A3 TDI might be the car you’re looking for.
As for availability, Audi claims “late summer,” which means we should see these new cars relatively soon.
Chad Kirchner is a freelance automotive journalist with a sincere passion for the industry and helping people. He’s a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association and the Texas Auto Writers Association. When not writing about the latest automotive news or vehicles, you can catch him at car shows around the country. Be sure to check him out on social media, including Google+ and Twitter.
