The Audi A3 and its hotter S3 and RS3 siblings are being updated, with a significantly overhauled interior resembling that of newer models from the brand. The updated small-car lineup is arriving at European dealerships in September 2026. We’ve contacted Audi Australia for local launch timing. The A3, S3 and RS3 gain Audi’s panoramic display, which features an 11.9-inch ‘virtual cockpit’ digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with neither screen as neatly integrated into the dashboard as before. Know the news with
the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow The outgoing A3, S3 and RS3 had a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Looking for your next car? We’ll help you research and compare so you choose with confidence. The larger touchscreen has resulted in the removal of physical climate controls, which are now anchored at the base of the screen; the centre air vents also sit lower. However, a row of physical switches for functions such as drive mode selection and the hazard lights remains
on the centre stack. The redesigned dashboard features a wider decorative inlay, and there’s a choice of carbon-fibre, Dinamica microfibre trim, Light Crepe fabric or Impressum Black fabric trim. The centre console has been revised, if not to the same extent. However, Audi has reoriented the (now 25W) wireless mobile phone charger towards the driver. All steering wheels across the small-car lineup feature gloss-black buttons and a pair of slide wheels. While the interior has been substantially updated, there have been no mechanical changes and
the exterior is essentially unchanged – Audi has flagged only revised LED daytime running light signatures for some variants. The adaptive cruise control system can now brake for red lights. If the vehicle hasn’t come to a complete stop, it’ll also automatically drive on when the light turns green. The lane assist systems now use swarm data, adjusting the vehicle’s speed to the average speed of the road. If you have an active connected services subscription, the adaptive cruise assist system will also use online
data to maintain the vehicle’s lane position even if the road markings aren’t visible. The park assist pro features a remote function, allowing the driver to exit the vehicle before a parking manoeuvre is completed – handy if you’re pulling in or out of a tight spot. A new trained parking feature will also allow the vehicle to memorise specific parking manoeuvres, for example if you have a garage or carport that’s difficult to access. Up to five manoeuvres with a distance of 50m can
be saved and named in the system. It’s not yet clear if all of this new functionality will be made available in Australia. The current, fourth-generation A3 debuted in 2020, but didn’t arrive here until 2022. A facelifted model was revealed in 2024, arriving here in 2025. This facelift brought revised front- and rear-end styling, but a largely unchanged interior. A3 sales are up 72.9 per cent year-to-date in Australia, with 875 examples delivered during the first five months of 2026. That puts it ahead
of the rival BMW 1 Series (519) but shy of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (995). MORE: Everything Audi A3 • S3 • RS3
2027 Audi A3, 2027 Audi S3, 2027 Audi RS3, panoramic display, 11.9-inch virtual cockpit, 12.8-inch touchscreen, climate controls removed, park assist pro remote, trained parking, adaptive cruise red lights
So they got rid of buttons and now it’s all touch screens? That’s gonna be a nightmare in the rain. My thumbs aren’t that good.
Not gonna lie I kinda like the bigger screen thing but I don’t get why they moved the climate controls down like that. Also “brake for red lights” sounds like it’ll scare people lol. Is it basically self-driving now?
Wait, so they’re swapping the buttons for bigger screens… but the hazards still have switches? That seems backwards. I saw a TikTok once saying Audi is removing physical controls entirely. Are they lying or just doing it halfway? Either way I’d rather keep the old setup.
September 2026 and they already changed the whole dash. I swear every car now looks the same, like a spaceship interior. 12.8 inch screen and then the vents are lower? Great, so what, my knees get the cold air. Also adaptive cruise that brakes for red lights is nice but it’ll probably slam too hard when someone cuts in.