Audi has announced a host of changes to its 2020
lineup in the United States. Starting with the A3, there will be two variants this year including
the front-wheel drive A3 Sport and all-wheel drive A3 S line. The Premium trim appears
to largely carryover, but there’s an anti-theft alarm system with a new motion
sensor. Changes to Premium Plus variant are more extensive as it now comes
equipped with a Bang & Olufsen audio system, high-beam assist and an
interior storage package that includes rear USB charging ports.
With the next-generation A3 set to be introduced at
the Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi will offer a new Final Edition package on the
current model. The package adds leather front sport seats with contrast
stitching and a flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddle shifters. The package
also includes puddle lights with an “Audi Beam ring.” Rounding out the changes are the
discontinuation of the A3 Cabriolet and a sportier looking A3 S line quattro
which features an S line body kit, aluminum door sill plates and “sportier”
18-inch wheels.
The S3 gains a new Premium trim which starts at US$ 43,000 which makes it US$ 1,500 more affordable than last year’s model. The
Premium Plus returns to the lineup and features high-beam assist, a Bang &
Olufsen audio system, auto-dimming side mirrors and an interior storage package
with rear USB charging ports.
Moving on, the A6 Premium gains a host of new
features including lane departure warning, high-beam assist, auto-dimming side
mirrors and an anti-theft alarm system with a motion sensor. Likewise, the
Premium Plus variant now comes equipped with a heated steering wheel and a
digital instrument cluster. The range-topping Prestige goes even further as it
comes standard with heated rear seats and a driver assistance package that
includes adaptive cruise assist, traffic sign recognition, intersection assist
and active lane departure with emergency assist.
Other updates are minor, but the Premium Plus and
Prestige trims can now be equipped with a Black optic exterior package. The
Premium Plus also gains a newly available Executive package which includes
ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a four-zone automatic climate
control system, ambient interior lighting and a powered trunk. The A7 has updates that closely
echo the A6 and pricing starts at US$ 69,000 for the Premium trim.
The range-topping Audi A8 sees a handful of minor
updates including a newly standard Audi virtual cockpit plus system, lane
departure warning and an anti-theft alarm system with a motion sensor. The
available Executive package also gains new multicolor ambient interior
lighting.
On the crossover side, the Q5 Premium now comes
equipped with high-beam assist and restyled 18-inch wheels that are wrapped in
all-season tires. Changes to the Premium Plus and Prestige trims are minor but
include “refreshed” 19-inch wheels with all-season tires. Despite the modest changes, Audi
is making the Driver Assistance package more attainable as it will now be
offered on the Premium Plus trim. When equipped, it adds active lane assist and
adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist.
The larger Q8 gains new features as the Premium trim
now comes standard with high-beam assist, lane departure warning, Audi virtual
cockpit plus and an anti-theft alarm system with a motion sensor. Premium Plus
and Prestige trims gain two newly available styling packages including an S
line option which features a sporty body kit, a body color grille surround,
illuminated door sill plates and 21-inch alloy wheels with a two-tone finish.
The S line plus package is slightly different as it includes black exterior
accents, red brake calipers and 22-inch wheels. Lastly, the Q8 Prestige gains an
improved luxury package which now includes an air ionizer and a fragrance
diffuser. The package also features extended leather upholstery.
The TT and TTS largely carryover, but they now offer
an available Pulse Orange paint job and a newly standard anti-theft alarm
system with a motion sensor. Other updates include a revised Black optic
package with 20-inch wheels and red brake calipers that are now a standalone
option on the TT RS. Lastly, the 2020 R8 was unveiled earlier this year and it features
revised styling as well as a top speed in excess of 322 km/h. Pricing
starts at US$ 169,900 for the coupe and US$ 195,900 for the spyder.
