A new, third-generation Audi A3 is expected to arrive at U.S. dealerships beginning with a four-door sedan as a 2014 model. The A3 is Audi's smallest offering in North America and the new model will represent the first time the company will offer a four-door sedan version in U.S. The four-door sedan will replace the second-generation four-door hatchback.

Audi suggests the 2014 A3 sedan may be followed by three-door coupe, a five-door hatchback, a soft-top convertible. A variety of powertrains is expected over time, among them a small-displacement turbo, a TDI diesel, and a plug-in hybrid.

As always, the A3 will offer budget buyers a front-wheel-drive version, and a more expensive quattro all-wheel-drive version.

The new A3 is expected to add a number of design, safety and convenience features that weren't available when the current car came onto the market, including front and rear LED lamps, lane-departure warning, blind-spot detection, active cruise control, and forward and rearward facing cameras, with voice activation for navigation and telephoning. Like all Audis, the A3 will have most of its controls operated from the MMI controller on the center console.

The new A3 will compete in the marketplace against the BMW 1 Series.