The new Audi A3 Sportback has a sporty and taut road stance. The front section is dominated by a wide, hexagonal Singleframe with a honeycomb grille. It accentuates the dynamic character of the premium compact car just as clearly as the large, angular air inlets whose depth gives them a sculptural effect.

The shoulder line runs in a wedge shape from the headlights to the rear lights, making the Audi A3 Sportback appear longer. The surface below it falls inward, accentuating the quattro blisters and highlighting the body shoulder. With its concave side, the A3 Sportback is showcasing a completely new element of the Audi design. This creates an intensive play of light and shadow, which is mainly due to the strong contour in the sill area. The lower body line is drawn upward again before it reaches the rear wheel arch. This makes it appear particularly dynamic.

The heavily inclined C-pillars also give the compact five-door car a forward thrust. They are virtually squatting on the rear wheels. A long roof edge spoiler provides shade for the rear window, making it appear particularly flat - this effect makes the rear end with its three-dimensional design appear extremely wide. This impression is reinforced by the circumferential shoulder line, the wedge-shaped rear lights, the implied air outlets at the wheel arches, the diffuser insert, and the trapezoidal tailpipe trims.