The A3 will initially be available with front-wheel drive and a 200-horsepower 2.0T FSI four-cylinder engine.
Early next year, a more powerful 3.2-liter V6 will be available, along with quattro all-wheel drive.
For even more power, the most muscular iteration of the A4 yet will arrive from Audi this fall. The RS4 boasts a 4.2-liter V8 engine with FSI direct fuel injection technology to put out an impressive 420 horsepower, with a redline at 8250 rpm.
The new quattro system puts 60 percent of the power to the rear wheels, making the RS4 more agile with better handling. Manufacturer performance numbers are also quite impressive: 0-62 mph in just 4.8 seconds, with a governed top speed of 155 mph. The RS4 should give the BMW M3 some stiff competition.