Audi A3 updates with new Sportback Design entry-level model

Audi is updating its fourth-generation A3 compact model, introducing a new entry-level trim called Sportback Design. Scheduled to arrive in Italian dealerships by October 2026, the entry-level version starts at 32,600 euros with a 1.5 TFSI 116 CV engine and manual transmission.

The Sportback Design trim features a more streamlined equipment list, omitting certain premium features such as Park Assist plus, Side Assist, and Matrix LED headlights. However, it retains a digital instrument cluster with a 12.8-inch central display and 25W wireless smartphone charging.

Technological upgrades across the range include a new curved panel combining an 11.9-inch instrument display and a 12.8-inch central screen, a redesigned multimedia interface, and a head-up display. Standard safety features include cruise control, a rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The A3 lineup continues to offer various body styles, including Sportback, Sedan, and Allstreet, with multiple engine options ranging from diesel and mild hybrid to plug-in hybrid.