Audi A3 8V LCI vs Pre-LCI — What Changed with the LCI Update
In 2016, the Audi A3 8V received a major mid-life refresh known as the LCI (facelift). With sharper styling, new digital tech, and updated engines, the facelifted A3 bridged the gap between classic Audi design and next-generation innovation. Here’s a complete breakdown of every difference between the Pre-LCI (2013–2016) and LCI (2017–2020) A3.
Exterior Design & Lighting
Visually, the facelift sharpened every edge of the 8V without changing its proportions:
• Front: redesigned Single-frame grille, reshaped bumper, and jagged-edge headlights influenced by the A4 B9.
• Rear: updated LED taillights with revised internal graphics; dynamic indicators standard on S line and S3.
Lighting Technology
• Xenon Plus headlights now standard.
• LED headlights standard on S line / S3.
• Matrix LED units optional — a first for the compact class.
Colours & Wheels
• Introduced new body colours:
Ara Blue,
Cosmic Blue,
Nano Grey,
Tango Red,
and Vegas Yellow.
• Alloy wheel designs refreshed, ranging from 16″ to 19″ depending on trim.
Interior & Comfort
Inside, the updates were subtle but meaningful:
• New steering-wheel designs and air-vent styling.
• Optional heated steering wheel and driver’s seat massage for extra comfort.
• S line models gained ambient interior lighting as standard.
• Noise-insulating windscreen now standard across all trims.
Technology & Infotainment
Audi used the facelift to push the A3’s tech well beyond its rivals:
• Audi Virtual Cockpit (12.3″ digital cluster) became available for the first time in the A3 lineup, offering fully digital dials and navigation display.
• Audi Smartphone Interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration became standard on most trims.
• Updated MMI system: simplified menu structure with flat logic and a rotary controller featuring a handwriting touchpad.
• Audi Connect gained an embedded LTE SIM and three-year data plan, enabling Google Earth, Street View, and real-time traffic updates.
• Audi Phone Box added wireless charging and dual Bluetooth connectivity.
Mechanical & Powertrain Changes
The A3’s facelift brought the biggest update under the skin since the 8V’s launch:
• New 1.0 TFSI three-cylinder — the first 3-cylinder ever fitted to an A3.
115 PS / 200 Nm, offering impressive efficiency and lighter front-end weight.
• New 2.0 TFSI (190 PS / 320 Nm) — introduced Audi’s advanced Miller-cycle-inspired combustion and paired with a 7-speed wet-clutch S tronic, replacing the old 6-speed dry unit.
• 1.4 TFSI CoD (Cylinder-on-Demand) retained, still producing 150 PS but with smoother transitions between two- and four-cylinder modes.
• Diesel range unchanged but refined:
○ 1.6 TDI (110 PS)
○ 2.0 TDI (150 PS / 184 PS).
• A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid updated — 1.4 TFSI (150 PS) plus 75 kW electric motor for a 204 PS combined output.
• S3 performance boost: power up to 310 PS, torque to 400 Nm, with revised ESC and clutch control for faster torque transfer and improved handling.
• Weight reduction: the new 1.0 TFSI variant weighs just 1,150 kg, making it the lightest A3 of its generation.
Driver Assistance & Safety
Several new systems debuted with the facelift:
• Traffic Jam Assist – semi-autonomous acceleration, braking, and steering up to ~40 km/h (S tronic models).
• Rear Cross-Traffic Assist for safer reversing.
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function.
• Predictive Pedestrian Protection and enhanced Audi Pre Sense Front.
• Lane Assist upgraded with improved camera sensors.
• Standardization of core features: cruise control, light/rain sensors, and multifunction steering wheel across more trims.
Chassis & Handling
Audi engineers fine-tuned suspension and steering for better precision and compliance:
• Revised damper tuning for improved ride control.
• Optional sport suspension lowers ride height by 15 mm (Sport) or 25 mm (S line).
• Progressive steering extended to more variants; standard on S3.
Summary — Sharper, Smarter, and More Connected
The Audi A3 8V LCI didn’t reinvent the car — it perfected it.
With new engines, advanced lighting, and a leap in digital technology, the facelifted A3 stands as one of the most balanced premium compacts of its time.
For owners of Pre-LCI models, many upgrades such as Virtual Cockpit, LED taillights, and interior trims can be retrofitted with the right coding and components.
And for those refreshing their interiors, custom Alcantara wrapping remains one of the best ways to match or exceed the LCI’s tactile quality while maintaining OEM precision.
