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[extract] An all-new Audi A3 is scheduled to be launched at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and since no one can keep a secret these days we have the official photos of the new hatchback Audi. My first impression of the new Audi A3

The cross-sharing of platforms and technologies between models in the automotive industry is not exactly new but in the recent years, many automakers have focused on this even more. The Volkswagen Group is one such company and we can clearly see this in models within the group. Volkswagen has rolled out a new and important piece of technology that will be used in their vehicles starting this year. It is the MQB platform which is Modularer Querbaukasten in German. In English it means Modular Transverse Matrix platform. Flexibility and reduced production costs are the key reasons for this platform. Volkswagen will build 30 models under this particular platform. It covers all models above the group

The Volkswagen Group is one of the largest automaker companies in the world and they develop and manufacture for all vehicles that is within their group, which includes Audi, Skoda, Seat, Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti. Many of their vehicles share parts and technologies. In other words, they are experts in cross-brand sharing. Some of their cars even share bodyshells. Things are going to get even more similar starting from next year when Volkswagen has announced that they will go through a technical overhaul for all their cars, mainly vehicles from Audi, Skoda, Seat and Volkswagen itself. The first car that will receive this treatment is the upcoming Audi A3 which will be released next year. The Audi A3 will share parts with 40 other models. Parts such as chassis, axles, steering columns, drivetrains and etc. will save the company around

[extract] Showcased at this year

There seems to be a steady increase in the number of Chinese made cars here in Singapore and I've been starting to wonder why people actually buy them. The safety records are terrible, the engines are far from refined and the quality of the cars are mostly horrible as well. Cheap plastics, body work which looks to be made out of tin foil and if I were sitting or driving in one of them, I'd feel like any small accident would kill me. But now, Chery has released its latest creation. The A3. That changes things a bit. The earliest local resident Chinese car was introduced by Chery. And the Chery QQ became the beacon of light which China had shone on our shores. However, Geely soon came along and brought in their popular CK model which made some modders relatively happy with its compact shape and body which had 'sporty' potential. The QQ was always looked down upon by many and its safety record wasn't exactly stunning as well. Maybe stunning in the wrong department. If you happen to have a crash in the QQ, expect to die. Basically thats what their safety report shows. And if you thought that buying a cheap China made car would mean that its friendly to your wallet, you'd want to think again. On paper, the QQ is meant to do 24km/l, but most drivers complain that they're only doing 12km/l. So much for the company's integrity as well.. How do you feel now? However, things have changed and the Chinese manufacturers have definitely gone back to the drawing board to rethink their ideas and creations. We shouldn't forget than not long ago, Korean cars were still seen as poorly made cars, but look at them now! Hopefully, with Chery's new A3 (definitely a far cry from their 'friends' at Audi, and they should be expecting a lawsuit soon from them), they can turn things around. From the looks of it, thats a plus point to the Chinese. This is by far the nicest looking car that has come from the factories of China. And with good reason too. It was styled by the designers at Pininfarina and that has definitely helped in the styling department. As for the engine and its performance, not so good. It would take roughly 13 seconds to reach a 100km/h and its top speed is a safe 174km/h. Technology and safety wise, there has also been improvement. Here's a quote from their website: "The body structure of Chery A3 hatchback is mostly made of high strength steel sheet (40%), approaching to the level of steel sheet on VOLVO cars". So they say.. And they now have stability control and ABS which is also another improvement. Airbags can now be deployed from the sides too, and that's much better than before. I would like to drive this car one day to see how it handles but for now, I think that even though the performance isn't great, this is like Mao's Great Leap Forward. It is a big step that they have made. I am certain that Chinese made cars will be improving in the near future and the A3 is one clear example. Of course they need to settle some issues with the name, and the quality standards, but I think they'll get there one day..

Along with the updated 2011 TT Coupe and Roadster, Audi also announced model year changes for its A3 range that includes the three door hatchback, five-door Sportback, Cabriolet and the sporty S3 hot hatch. One may need to put the revised A3 under a microscope to spot the differences with the existing version. Nonetheless, Audi says that the single-frame grille element and trims on the B-columns are now painted in high-gloss black, while the the lower air inlets have chrome struts. The exterior mirrors are revised and there are chrome strips on the door handles (except on the S3). The rear of the three door version gets tinted tail lamps. The new alloy wheel designs and the addition of four new paint finishes (Volcano Red, Dakota Gray, Amethyst Gray and Scuba Blue) complete the exterior upgrades. On the inside, key changes include gray background for the dials, new selector lever for the S tronic gearbox and a high-gloss trim for the optional navigation system plus. Engine options remain the same and include five gasoline and four diesel units, which are all turbocharged with direct-injection technology. The base gasoline and diesel versions are the 1.2 TSI and 1.6 TDI, with the range-topping S3 pumping out 265bhp from the 2.0 TFSI.

Talk about a diesel powered car some 20 years ago would bring about the image of black smoke emitted from the exhaust pipe. However, today's modern diesel car engine is nothing like the smoky, dirty motors of the past. They are extremely clean, powerful and efficient. The Audi A5 3.0 TDI quattro that was launched in Singapore some time in Mid 2009 can testify to this statement. Back to this entry's topic, a new Audi A3 1.6 TDI has just been introduced in UK. The 1.6 TDI engine generates 105PS and 250Nm of peak torque. It propels the A3 from 0 to 62mph in 11.4s. It's combined fuel economy figure is an impressive 74.3mpg and Carbon dioxide production is just 99g/km. The key elements responsible for the efficiency gains in the most advanced 1.6 TDI to date include a modified final drive ratio for the standard five-speed manual transmission, a reduced ride height, under-body revisions to reduce aerodynamic drag and the use of slightly smaller 15-inch alloy wheels shod with low rolling resistance tyres. A start-stop system is also incorporated in the TDI application and it conserves fuel by cutting engine power at idle when the clutch pedal is released and the gear lever is in its neutral position. The engine is restarted when the clutch is depressed. Recently, we have seen more diesel offerings in Singapore, such as the Mercedes C200 CDI. It wouldn't be a surprise if we see the A3 1.6 TDI in Premium Automobile's showroom in the coming year. It could be a sensible choice if buyers are ready to cast away the impression of diesel engines of the past.