Audi's entry-level A3 has already found a soft spot with shoppers after an exciting car with a premium badge at a not-so-premium price. The engineers and designers have been tinkering, and Europe is about to get the sportiest and sharpest-looking A3 to date.

2009 sees the A3 available to European shoppers with a more expressive style. An exterior revision fits different wheels, sportier fenders, a revised grille and optional LED-string running lights to accent a set of bi-xenon projectors. There are new side-view mirrors and door handles too, and the rear-end presents a new set of taillights. The updates leave the machine easily identifiable as an A3, just freshened up.

2009 Audi S3

Other updates include a revised S tronic gearbox and magnetic suspension system, both installed to increase the car's fun factor. The paddle-shifted gearbox is available with seven gears, helping the car to accelerate faster while saving fuel during cruising. Magnetic suspension borrowed from the TT and R8, can help drivers corner more quickly as well.

If that's your thing, check out the new S3 model--which comes powered by a 2.0-liter turbo engine that's had its output bumped to 265 horsepower through head and turbine improvements. A selection of 7 other gasoline and diesel engines is available to shoppers overseas.

The 2009 A3 and S3 models go on sale this summer in Europe, while the five-door A3 will come to North America this fall.


Photo Credit : Audi