Adding to the many leaks we’ve witnessed today, are the first official photos of the brand-new Audi A3 Sedan, pictured here in S3 trim.

The first ever sedan version of Audi’s A3 family of compact models, which up until now, has included 3- and 5-door hatchbacks, plus a soft-top convertible, is a spin off from the third generation A3 series, using a longer version of the VW Group’s modular MQB platform architecture.

The styling is very close to the original A3 Sedan Concept from the 2011 Geneva Auto Show, especially in S3 guise, which features the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit with 296hp (300PS) as the hatchback models.

Audi will also offer a selection of other diesel and gasoline engines, all of which will be turbocharged, with some offering the option of all-wheel drive.

One of the main rivals of the new Audi A3 Sedan will be the Mercedes-Benz CLA that goes on sale in the U.S. later this year priced just under $30,000.

Audi had told us via a teaser video that it would reveal a new model on Wednesday, March 27, but the brand with the four-rings is not mentioned in the New York Auto Show’s press conference list, so it is possible that in won’t be displayed at the Big Apple’s Jacob Javits convention center.

Photos: Audi via Autofilou

Thanks to Raphael for the heads up!

PHOTO GALLERY

001_Audi S3 Sedan004_Audi S3 Sedan005_Audi S3 Sedan006_Audi S3 Sedan