What's the news?
The Audi A3 Sportback has been given a performance and appearance makeover by ABT Sportsline to create the ABT AS3.
Exterior
At the front there's a deep spoiler with a pronounced lip and the radiator grille is an ABT item. Sill extensions are fitted and at the rear the new bumper houses four exhaust pipes. Customers can choose between 18- and 19-inch DR alloy wheels, which come with 'premium sport' tyres.
Interior
No mention of any changes inside the AS3 so the interior is standard Audi.
Mechanicals
Two engines feature ABT Power modifications. The 1.4-litre TFSI petrol unit gets a power increase from 122- to 160hp while the 2.0-litre turbodiesel gets a 20hp power boost to 170hp. Brakes are also uprated with 345mm disks and the suspension is lowered by 35mm.
Anything else?
ABT has stated that improved versions of Audi's 1.6 TDI and 1.8 TFSI engines are in the pipeline.
John Lambert - 20 Feb 2013