X

Lux hatchbacks: New Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-class (photos)

Both Audi and Mercedes-Benz showed updates to their lower-end vehicles at the 2012 Geneva auto show. Both the A3 and A-class compete with hatchback versatility and premium cabin technology.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
AudiA3_SS01.JPG
1 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Audi A3

The cheapest car Audi sells in the U.S., the A3 is getting a major update for the 2013 model year. Audi revealed the first body type, a three-door hatchback, to get the update at the 2012 Geneva auto show. Earlier this year, at CES, Audi whetted our appetites by showing off the cabin tech that would be going into the new A3, without revealing the whole car.

Back to 2012 Geneva auto show.

AudiA3_SS02.JPG
2 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Audi A3

In this three-door type, the length and height remain the same as the current model, but Audi stretched the wheelbase and widened the stance. When the five-door model is unveiled, it will probably follow suit with similar length as the current five-door, but include the longer wheelbase.

Back to 2012 Geneva auto show.

AudiA3_SS03.JPG
3 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Audi A3

Audi announced three engines for the European market, 1.8- and 1.4-liter gas engines and a 2-liter diesel, all turbocharged. The 1.8-liter represents a downsizing from the current 2-liter, which should enhance fuel economy. Audi says these engines are all new, suggesting even the 2-liter diesel has been updated.

Back to 2012 Geneva auto show.

AudiA3_SS04.JPG
4 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Audi A3

The most impressive aspect of the new A3 is that, although it is on the lower end of the model lineup, Audi does not skimp on cabin tech. The available navigation system includes the same connected Google Earth integration as in the A6, A7, and A8. Audi is also offering many driver assistance features, such as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.

Back to 2012 Geneva auto show.

AudiA3_SS06.JPG
5 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Audi A3

This car displayed at the show does not have the navigation option, so the menu items appearing on the LCD are minimal. But the LCD is standard, an LED-backlit screen that rises up out of the dashboard when in use.

Back to 2012 Geneva auto show.

AudiA3_SS05.JPG
6 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Audi A3

The dial and buttons below the shifter are Audi's multimedia interface (MMI), the means of controlling content on the LCD. The top of the dial is a touchpad, letting you enter letters and make other selections on the screen.

Back to 2012 Geneva auto show.

AudiA3_SS08.JPG
7 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Audi A3

Very impressive is the available Bang & Olufsen audio system, which has 705 watts of amplification and 14 speakers. Although a 900-euro (about $1,183) option in Europe, the audio quality is excellent, with finely detailed reproduction and solid bass.

Back to 2012 Geneva auto show.

MB_Aclass_SS01.JPG
8 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Mercedes-Benz A-class

Mercedes-Benz has sold the A-class in Europe for years, but never in the U.S. But at last year's New York auto show, the company revealed an A-class concept, the venue suggesting the A-class could appear at U.S. dealers. If so, it will give the Audi A3 heavy competition as an attractive, luxury compact car.

Back to 2012 Geneva auto show.

MB_Aclass_SS02.JPG
9 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Mercedes-Benz A-class

As shown in Europe, the A-class can be had with three different gas engines, as well as diesel engine options. The gas engines are a 1.6 and a 2-liter, both using direct injection and turbocharging. The A-class will be sold as the A180, A200, and A250, with horsepower ranging from 115 to 211.

Back to 2012 Geneva auto show.

MB_Aclass_SS03.JPG
10 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Mercedes-Benz A-class

A-class models will be further differentiated by trim levels: Urban, Style, and Sport. The Sport trim, shown here, was engineered by Mercedes-Benz's AMG division, which developed a completely different front axle to improve handling.

Back to 2012 Geneva auto show.

MB_Aclass_SS04.JPG
11 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Mercedes-Benz A-class

Mercedes-Benz gives the little A-class the full tech treatment, so buyers of a lower-end car will not have to do without useful features. Radar-based collision prevention actually comes standard on the A-class, at least in the European market. In addition, it can be equipped with blind-spot detection and automatic parallel parking.

Back to 2012 Geneva auto show.

MB_Aclass_SS06.JPG
12 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
The LCD mounted in the car not only shows the standard Mercedes-Benz menu paradigm, but does it with a much improved aesthetic style over the current Mercedes-Benz interface. This look should filter out to other Mercedes-Benz models.

Back to 2012 Geneva auto show.

MB_Aclass_SS05.JPG
13 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Mercedes-Benz A-class

Mercedes-Benz says its app will fully integrate the iPhone with the car, giving drivers access to the iPhone's full functionality, with other types of phones to follow. That would be an impressive feat, although there will probably be some restrictions on what you can do while driving.

Back to 2012 Geneva auto show.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos