Still want a posh hatch? The facelifted Audi A3 is here

Audi has unveiled a slightly new look for the fourth generation A3, with the Germans suggesting this is an “extensive upgrade” to the posh hatchback.

Although the A3 doesn’t just come as a hatch these days. You can chose between Sportback or Saloon, and both have been refreshed with ‘a sportier design’ that certainly looks like it was inspired by the current RS3.

Up front there’s now much more grille, and because chrome is out for environmental reasons that grille is now frameless. In S Line trim you get a slightly different grille design too, while black packs are all the rage for exterior trim.

The new headlights look a little bit baby-RS3 too, and they feature selectable daytime running light signatures so that you can pick and choose the light show that you’re giving fellow road users. There are new taillights and an interesting fake diffuser section on the S Line cars (that’s the Sportback in the images above). Oh, and while you’re looking at the rear of the hatch, sneak a peek at that new S Line badge – more fake-S3 than ever, isn’t it?

Anyway, we’ve driven a prototype of the upcoming S3 and it may just be worth waiting for, but when orders for the updated A3 open in mid-April here in the UK, you’ll have the choice between a 148bhp 1.5-litre mild-hybrid TFSI petrol engine and a 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine. Nice and simple. Also, because Audi is trying to clean up the rear of its cars, the confusing, mismatched numbered badging has gone and will be replaced by a simple TFSI or TDI badge on the B pillar. Neat.

An updated plug-in hybrid powertrain will arrive later this year, so expect a TFSI e badge for that one, and you’ll be able to pair the petrol engine with a six-speed manual at some point soon too. To start with it’s seven-speed auto only. There will also be a lifted A3 Allstreet in Europe that won’t make it to UK shores. That aims to please the small SUV crowd with 30mm more ground clearance, specially tuned suspension and plenty of black plastic.

The interior of the A3 doesn’t actually change too much with the update. The air vents are slimmer, there’s more fingerprinty piano black finish on the centre console and the strange touch pad for volume control is still present. We’re not fans, but Audi’s research apparently said that 80 per cent of A3 drivers use the steering wheel volume control anyway.

There’s more interior lighting now, plus a new design for the gear selector and a new Sonos sound system. A little birdy tells us this is the same hardware as the old optional Bang & Olufsen system though, just with Sonos coming on as a brand partner to appeal to a younger audience. There are new materials on the inside too though, with plenty of fabrics made from recycled polyester.

The screen is the same 10.1-inch touch unit, but Audi has now added the ability to add functions using the myAudi app. Apparently using that you can add things like adaptive cruise control and high-beam assist for one month, six months, one year, three years or forever. Thoughts on that (and everything else that has gone into the A3 facelift) in the comments below, please.