Audi has reportedly changed course and decided to sell its upcoming A3 Sportback in the United States. Previous rumors suggested that Audi had no plans to sell the A3 Sportback, which made its world debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, in the U.S.
Although hatchbacks remain a tough sell in the United States, Audi has decided to launch the more cargo-friendly version of the new A3 on these shores.
According to Car and Driver, the five-door A3 Sportback will arrive in U.S. showrooms along side a four-door sedan model for the 2014 model year. Audi will also build a three-door version of the A3 Sportback, but Car and Driver says that model will be reserved for the European market.
Although the current U.S.-spec A3 is available with Audi's fuel-efficient diesel engine, the German automaker will reportedly scrap the oil-burner for the new model year. The A3 Sportback will likely come with just one engine choice – Audi's 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder.
However, Audi is planning S and RS versions of the A3 sedan, so it remains possible that one of those high-performance engines could eventually sneak under the hood of the Sportback.
If cargo hauling isn't your thing, Audi is also said to be readying a convertible version of the new A3. Still a few years out from an official green light, the A3 convertible would arrive with a conventional soft top rather than a more complex folding hard top.
