NY Auto Show: Audi Planning New Entry Sedan

Posted by: David Kiley on April 7, 2009

Audi officials said today that they have recently revamped their new product plans for the next ten years, and that a new entry level car is in the works for the U.S. to be slotted below the A4.

After pushing on a few lapels, we think that the car in mind is a sedan version of the next generation A3. Audi has actually pushed back the arrival of the next A3 by a year, to late next year, as it draws up plans for several new models such as the A1 hatchback and Q3 crossover, as well as a Cabrio and sedan version of the A3 hatch.

The A3 has been hurt in the U.S. by the fact that it is a hatchback in a market ambivalent about hatches, as well as aggressive lease deals on BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class variants.

Audi reckons the size and price of the A4 has moved into legit luxury territory, beyond the entry-level status it once had, and that it needs a lower priced sedan to pull first-time luxe buyers in.

Look for an A3 sedan by 2011.