News Source: topspeed.com

Audi has already been spotted testing the upcoming A3 Sedan  and Convertible,  but now our spy photographers have captured the A3’  s three-door hatchback version romping through the winter snow. Set to be a 2017 model, the A3 hatch should share all the same updates as its sedan and drop-top brethren.

Our photographer even describes the A3 as the “same sausage, different length.”

The German humor isn’t lost on us either. The A3 is a popular vehicle here in the States, though sadly, Audi only offers the sedan,  convertible,  and four-door Sportback versions. There’s no word on Audi offering the three-door hatchback  version, though our money is betting against it. The Volkswagen Group  already has a three-door hatch on the market – the VW Golf  2-door. It rides on the same platform as the A3 Hatchback and its price point is more in line with what U.S. hatchback shoppers are willing to pay. Premium hatchbacks aren’t really a thing here.

Regardless, the hatchback has its following elsewhere in the world, namely Europe. These updates will help each iteration of the A3 stay competitive, while helping VW is left reeling from its emissions scandal.

Audi engineers are clearly still in the testing stage with the updated A3 Hatch. Nevertheless, it’s easy to spot a refreshed grille and a more pronounced beltline. The hatchback’s side profile, wheelbase, and roofline seem to be unchanged.

Up front, the grille design takes after those we’ve spotted on other 2017 A3 test mules – all of which resemble the updated mug on the Audi A4. The grille inserts have dual bars running between each side of the sharpened grille edges. Here, the front license plate keeps some details covered up. The headlights are also covered, suggesting they will be updated. Down low, the fog light surrounds sport a new shape, mirroring the sharpened edges of the main grille.

The sides of the A3 hatch have a harder beltline running under the windows. The line starts off the front wheel well and continues through the taillights. A similarly enlarged bulge now protrudes at the bottom of the doors. Around back, it’s hard to make out any distinguishable changes thanks to the swirly camo and packed snow. We do suspect the taillights will get a welcomed restyling, likely with shapely LED units. As with Audis before it, the lower valance will be unique to specific trim levels and sport groups, changing with the number of exhaust tips.

Besides this test mule looking like something out of Jurassic Park with those roof-mounted driving lights, the updated A3 carries on with a mild refresh rather than a complete rethink.

It’s hard to grab interior shots of a test mule driving past on a snowy day, so we’re left to speculate on what Audi has planned. We’re hoping the A3 Hatch gets Audi’s latest dashboard design with the outstanding fully digital gauge cluster. This would greatly appeal to youthful buyers – the type who typically shops for three-door hatchbacks. Expect the rest of the dash to carry similar treatments as the updated Audi A4, including the new MMI screen, aluminum accents, and redesigned steering wheel.

Of course with a hatchback, the A3 Hatch will offer a tremendous amount of cargo room with the rear seats folded flat. Otherwise, the car will hold five occupants, though the middle position in the rear is only for kids. Even the outboard rear positions are cramped compared to the A3 sedan.

We’ll bring you more information should our spy photographer grab interior shots or Audi releases information.

Audi has been quiet of what changes may come in the powertrain department. The current A3 Hatchback in Europe is offered with a slew of engine options. It ranges from a 1.2-liter TFSI, the 1.4-liter TFSI (with and without cylinder on demand), the 1.8-liter TFSI with quattro, two versions of the 1.6-liter TDI, and two versions of the 2.0-liter TDI (both with and without quattro). Power ranges from 108 horsepower in the 1.2-liter TFSI to 181 horsepower in the up-rated version of the 2.0-liter TDI.

We can expect these engines to make their way into the 2017 A3 Hatchback, though some may come with more refinement, more horsepower, or greater fuel economy. Hopefully each will have all three.

The current Audi A3 Hatchback carries a starting price of £18,865 in Europe, or roughly $26,776 U.S. dollars. Opting for the range-topping S-Line with Navigation trim pushes the price to nearly $35,000.

We suspect Audi will continue with a similar pricing model, though with a slight increase to account for the added technology and economic inflation. The updated version of the A3 three-door Hatchback follows the natural progression found in Audi vehicles. The sharper body lines, the inevitably updated interior with upgraded technology, and the likely possibility of improved performance with slight engine upgrades all make for impatient journalist. Audi’s A3 has been a popular seller, especially overseas, and it’s good to see even the smallest of Audi’s lineup get updates. Sadly, it’s highly unlikely the U.S. will get the three-door A3 hatchback, but we can expect these same improvements to translate into the A3 Sportback e-tron model currently on sale within our borders.