Things like sunroof, auto dimming mirrors, rain sensing wipers, homelink, nav, audio, multi-function wheel, wood or carbon fiber trim, and heated seats are all extra cost options. Throw on the most common options and you end up around $55K.

Now take an A3 3.2 (base around $33K) and throw some common options like Open Sky, bi-xenons, and cold weather, to get a price around $39K. There are far fewer options on the A3, as it comes pretty loaded.

So that would indicate that a starting price in the range of the low $40K mark would be expected.

<center><img src="http://www.germancarfans.com/spyphotos/6060126.002/6060126.002.mini10L.jpg"></center><p>Or would we get a 4dr sportback version here in North America? On the one hand, I'd be quite interested in a 4dr S3 but I realize from a model lineup perspective there's less not a ton of room to sqeeze one in between A3 3.2Q and S4 sedan/avant.

to offer the S3 as a 5 door.

&lt;/rumor mill&gt;

I had an A3 in Denmark and tried to bring it back to the US with me. Love the A3, but the 5-door looks terrible.<ul><li><a href="http://www.audi.co.uk/newcars/model.jsp?section=/models/a3/a3">http://www.audi.co.uk/newcars/model.jsp?section=/models/a3/a3</a</li></ul>