A3

Ricochet J · 19 Apr 2011 at 20:58

So when are they replacing this then?

Westyfield2 · 19 Apr 2011 at 21:02

I would say pretty soon as it was 2003 IIRC that this one was launched.

But...

RS 3 Sportback was only recently announced and not shipping until the tail end of this year. So bang goes that theory!

Participant · 19 Apr 2011 at 21:13

Spring 2012, Google it noob.

Ricochet J · 19 Apr 2011 at 21:48

Robbie G said:
Spring 2012.

Spamalot · 20 Apr 2011 at 03:50

Wasn't the "Audi full circle grill" A3 introduced in 2005 ?

Minstadave · 20 Apr 2011 at 07:53

Spamalot said:
Wasn't the "Audi full circle grill" A3 introduced in 2005 ?

Yeah it was

[TW]Fox · 20 Apr 2011 at 08:17

Spamalot said:
Wasn't the "Audi full circle grill" A3 introduced in 2005 ?

That was simply a refresh of the model introduced in 2003 - its fundamentally the same car, just constantly facelifted.

It's ancient.

The RS3 reminds me of someone old who has decided to become trendy by wearing loads of bling to hide age..

GravyMonster · 20 Apr 2011 at 09:08

You know the A3 is ancient when I can tell people that my 12 year old 8L is only 1 generation out of date

Minxy · 20 Apr 2011 at 22:53

There was a later facelift in 2008 as well.

Tute · 20 Apr 2011 at 22:56

It may be an old car, but it hasn't aged too terribly IMO. Still looks reasonably fresh-ish, and the RS3 is hardly a bad car by today's standards.

MacRS4 · 20 Apr 2011 at 23:14

Westyfield2 said:
I would say pretty soon as it was 2003 IIRC that this one was launched.

But...

RS 3 Sportback was only recently announced and not shipping until the tail end of this year. So bang goes that theory!

The RS units are usually run-outs on the current model. It's changed a bit for the more maintstream take on of the RS range, but I think it's pretty valid for the A3.

Current conjecture seems to be platform replacement 2012 I think.

Must admit I like the A3 platform a lot. I had one of the 8L S3's and loved it, upgraded to the B5 RS4, then jumped ship to BMW.

Westyfield2 · 20 Apr 2011 at 23:55

MacRS4 said:
The RS units are usually run-outs on the current model. It's changed a bit for the more mainstream take on of the RS range, but I think it's pretty valid for the A3.

Current conjecture seems to be platform replacement 2012 I think.

Must admit I like the A3 platform a lot. I had one of the 8L S3's and loved it, upgraded to the B5 RS4, then jumped ship to BMW.

Oh right. Uncle's got one on order, be a bit of a bummer though if his arrives late 2011 and then in 2012 the A3 is replaced!

JamesCB · 21 Apr 2011 at 10:53

What platform is the 2012 one rumoured to be built on?

Tute · 21 Apr 2011 at 10:58

JamesCB said:
What platform is the 2012 one rumoured to be built on?

I think it'll still be on the same A5 VAG platform as the Golf Mk6, Mk5, Leon Mk2, Octavia Mk.2 and the current A3.

stoofa · 21 Apr 2011 at 11:18

The rumours are that there will be a Mk3 Octavia in early 2013.
As it is likely to be built around any platform the new A3 will use, that time scale appears about right.
Skoda will be forced to hold back on any Mk3 Octy until a new A3 has seen the light of day.