Is the A3 an Avant?

[rickster128]

Hi guys, I'm new here, and I have had my 08 A3 for about a month now, and I love it. (pics to come soon) But just out of curiosity, do we here at Audizine consider it an Advent? thanks for the help guys!

[Shanster]

Hell no, squid!

jk...I'm not sure. I feel like if it has 4 rings and 5 doors it should be an avant. But I wouldn't consider anything in the Q series an Avant. Sooo...I'm unsure.

[latte]

I used to have an A3, loved the interior compared to my A4, but I would put it in the same category as something like a 4 door GTI. To me it's more like a 4 Door hatchback due to the size and lack of cargo space.

[SykoraA4]

Could you say in order to be considered an avant, it has to be quattro standard?

[BCsniper]

^^
not really because I'm sure there are at least some A4 Avants that didn't come with Quattro

[Shanster]

I'm thinking that there needs to be a sedan version in order to be an Avant.

[SykoraA4]

^^
not really because I'm sure there are at least some A4 Avants that didn't come with Quattro

my understanding was that (at least the the US) all Avants came Quattro only

[Kem]

A3 is a hatchback, A4 Avant is a sportwagen so no.

I think being a compact car disqualifies it from being an avant. Audi's official language is A3 sportback.

But don't worry, all audi 5 doors get some love. ;)

[McGovs2.7TB5]

I'm thinking that there needs to be a sedan version in order to be an Avant.

The new A3 will have a sedan version. In fact, I believe starting in '13 or '14 we will only be getting the sedan A3s.

edit: yep sedan only in '14 http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-c...-audi-a3-sedan

[rollerton]

I'm thinking that there needs to be a sedan version in order to be an Avant.

THERE IS!! And a coupe. I think it's pretty strange that the only A3 the U.S. ever got was the 4 door hatch and they're ditching it completely for the sedan version- with ZERO evidence that anyone wants it.
"Avant" is just the name they gave the wagon body at some point in the.. 90's ? Instead of calling it a 'wagon' .

[dackler]

I think Jalopnik did a good article on what is considered a wagon
http://jalopnik.com/5872562/what-makes-a-wagon-a-wagon

[tankdeer]

According to Audi it's a Sportback - so no. I'd call it a hatchback

[A6Avant]

Avants = Variants = Estates = Wagons

Pretty much every car I can think of that holds one of those names are mid-sized or larger cars... All of them come ina sedan version and in fact all that i can think of were or are originally sedan only then evolved into a wagon...

A wagon by definition is a cart to haul good's... But what we are looking for here is the Auto reasoning for a term...

Honestly I would say NO... not that they are not worth by any means... But the A3 was originaly based onteh VW Golf and only came in a 2dr hatch back... Which in my opinion not a wagon... Again FANTASTIC cars but not wagons... It then grew 2 extra doors and the rear cargo area actually SHRUNK a little but... So teh rear hatch area became a tad smaller then the previous generations 2dr version...

I dont think that anything that was designed as a hatch back and then was simply added doors on and cargo space taken out to allow for more people room can qualify as a wagon in any shape... I would have to say it is a "Hatchback" or "Hot Hatch" or "Sport Hatch". Either waya hatch not a wagon...

Now I am aware that there is a sedan version coming (BLOODY SEXY if you ask me) however that is WAY after the fact and I think unless they extend the rear a bit it would be hard to call it a wagon in any form.

But hey thats just me... I personaly have NO issues with a sexy A3 being inthe Avant section... I see A3's like I see my young sons... Always in the garage with me just desprately waiting to grow up and drive!

[kneel]

Hatchagon!

[Kem]

That Jalopnik article was great. I would challenge them and say that civic example was NOT a wagon. A wagon needs to have 3 full size side windows (front seats, back seats, cargo area). GTI, A3, Civic only two sets of windows. If it has a D pillar it's a wagon.

But in the end, Audi does not call it an avant. They call it a sportback. So it's not an avant.

[Sour]

I didn't know they planned on getting rid of the hatch what a shame


Soon there are going to be no manual avants at all in the states

[DrnknCamel]

I think the A3 is an avant. But i am biased!

[dhcivic27]

Avants = Wagon = Estate

Best answer is for sure through Audi.

A3's are considered Sportbacks, or a 5 door Hatchback

A7's is a 5 door Coupe with a lift gate, or a Liftback.

[dhcivic27]

Hatchagon!

[lnferno]

That Jalopnik article was great. I would challenge them and say that civic example was NOT a wagon. A wagon needs to have 3 full size side windows (front seats, back seats, cargo area). GTI, A3, Civic only two sets of windows. If it has a D pillar it's a wagon.

But in the end, Audi does not call it an avant. They call it a sportback. So it's not an avant.

Agree 100% that I don't think that an A3 is considered an Avant or wagon, but the A3 does have a 3rd set of windows in the back.
EDIT: I see what you're saying - - "Full size windows"

[Avant_Garde]

The new A3 will have a sedan version. In fact, I believe starting in '13 or '14 we will only be getting the sedan A3s.

edit: yep sedan only in '14 http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-c...-audi-a3-sedan

I don't know about you guys, but I found it odd that Audi decided to switch the A3 to a sedan. Just doesn't feel right. The A3 was always a hatch, like the golf, which I see as its counterpart/competition if you will. Then again, the golf is now in a wagon format as well. Everything is upside down in the car world!

The A3 sedan feels like it just came out of nowhere too, odd that they would introduce it as a sedan, to me, it just looks like a slightly smaller A4

[dhcivic27]

Best answer is for sure through Audi.

Just looked at AUDI USA today, and it now says Audi A3 Avant.

The A3 sedan feels like it just came out of nowhere too, odd that they would introduce it as a sedan, to me, it just looks like a slightly smaller A4

The A3 does look like a shorter A4 Avant. With the release of the A3 Sedan, might be good or bad, we just have to see the market how that one fairs out. I first thought the BMW 1 series is a joke, but alot of people bought it. Would be nice if the A3 became a platform to compete with the BMW 1 series, and an RS3 against the 1M. Small car, big motor. The A1 is for sure for the Mini, Fiat, and Smart market.

[lunamarA4]

The new A3 will have a sedan version. In fact, I believe starting in '13 or '14 we will only be getting the sedan A3s.

edit: yep sedan only in '14 http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-c...-audi-a3-sedan

I always loved that concept!!!!

[McGovs2.7TB5]

i quite like it too. Reminds me of a B5 A4 in size and has a similar shape, both wins in my book.

[JoshDub]

They aren't dropping the hatch. They are just not importing it to the US.

Just think of the A3 sedan to the Hatch like the Jetta to the Golf. Its the same concept.

[Sly Raskal]

I know this is old but just wanted to chime in.

If anything the A3 Wagon has been known as the Sportback. Audi never listed the A3 as an Avant.