The Three-Door Audi A3 Will Soon Be No More
Reasonable-sized three-door hatchbacks seem to be dying out. C-segment stalwarts like the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Opel/Vauxhall Astra have all dropped their three-door body styles in recent years, and even smaller hatches like the Seat Ibiza and Renault Clio come only in five-door form.
By 2019, it looks like there’ll be another casualty to add to the list: the Audi A3. Autocar reports that Audi is “likely” to drop the three-door option when the next-generation A3 arrives. The five-door car may hand its ‘Sportback’ moniker over to a new, sleeker liftback model, while the saloon will grow to make its rear seat passengers a little less cramped and moody.
The reason for the death of the three-door version? No one wants it. When given a choice, it seems the modern car buyer would rather have the extra practicality of an extra set of doors, and it’s no different with prospective A3 owners, leaving demand for the entry-level three-door car low.
With Audi there’s also the added pressure of streamlining and cost-cutting in the continuing financial wake of VW Group’s emissions scandal, making culling the three-door version the obvious choice.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Audi, you son of a B**CH!!!
Okay. Calm down, pal.
I really can see why they are doing it. I Cant think of the last time i saw a new 3dr A3. They do not cost much less than a 5dr which is more practical looks really good. has same engines has basically the same performance why would they make a 3dr. It costs them so much money to make different tools and jigs for a car they just aren’t selling. I started off with a 3dr car and it drove me up the wall i could not wait to get rid of it and have a 5dr car.
Make us like it Audi!
Killing off audi a3 hatchback in europe, didn’t even get it in the US
Next post: 10 reasons why new cars suck
Don’t get me wrong, old cars may be nicer than their new counterparts but don’t expect manufacturers to pump out new models if no one gets them…
Now. Time for the hate storm! XD
Doesn’t look like a huge loss to me. The five-door car doesn’t look any worse and is arguably more practical while being the same size. Honestly I cannot think of a single reason to buy a three-door hatchback besides the extra charge for five doors.
“more doors for more whores”
Says it all…
So Audi have had to open a niche because they spent all their money filling the rest. Time for a Q1.5 3-door crossover?