Audi says the next A3 will focus on better materials, stronger tactile feedback, and a smarter balance between screens and physical controls.

Audi is preparing a new A3 that could bring back some of the interior quality and tactile feel that once defined the brand.

With the A1 and Q2 gone, the A3 is now Audi’s entry-level combustion-powered model. A new generation is already in development and is expected to receive more than just a styling update.

Audi Wants Better Interiors

Audi has acknowledged that some recent cabins have not matched the quality expected from the brand.

Now, the company wants to restore the focus on materials, tactile controls, and intuitive design.

Audi wants the next A3 to feel more premium through better materials and more intuitive controls.

Chief Technical Officer Rouven Mohr says these changes will reach even Audi’s more affordable models.

The company is taking inspiration from more expensive vehicles such as the Concept C and Nuvolari, which preview Audi’s future design direction.

The next A3 should therefore benefit from the same philosophy without becoming an expensive, low-volume model.

Less Screen, More Physical Controls

One of the biggest changes could be inside the cabin.

Modern Audi models have increasingly relied on large displays, but the company now wants to find a better balance between touchscreens and physical controls.

Audi is reconsidering how much of the A3’s interior should be dominated by screens.

The next A3 is still expected to use digital displays, but Audi wants to bring back more physical feedback and easier-to-use controls.

That could make the cabin feel more like the Audis that built the brand’s reputation for premium interiors.

The first model to use this new philosophy is expected to be the A4 E-Tron, arriving in 2028.

The Next A3 Should Keep Combustion Power

The next-generation A3 is expected to continue using the MQB platform, sharing its architecture with models such as the Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia.

The next Audi A3 is expected to retain combustion engines while adopting Audi’s new interior philosophy.

Audi has also backed away from its previous plan to go fully electric by 2032, leaving room for another combustion-powered A3 generation.

Diesel, however, appears increasingly unlikely to survive into the next generation as emissions rules tighten and hybrid gasoline powertrains become more capable.

The new next Audi A3 is therefore shaping up as an important model for Audi. Rather than simply adding bigger screens, the company wants to restore the material quality and intuitive controls that once made even its entry-level cars feel genuinely premium.

The 2027 INFINITI QX60 was designed around modern families, with eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and storage for large drinks and phones.

The 2027 INFINITI QX60 takes something as simple as a cupholder surprisingly seriously.

Engineers designed the three-row SUV to handle the wide variety of bottles, cups, and tumblers families carry today.

Eight Cupholders Across Three Rows

The QX60 offers eight cupholders and four bottle holders.

There are two in the front, two in the second row, and four in the third row.

The QX60 has eight cupholders and four bottle holders throughout the cabin.

INFINITI specifically designed them to accommodate larger containers, including 32-ounce reusable bottles and sports drinks.

Even the Third Row Gets Attention

Third-row passengers have four cupholders, despite having less surrounding storage than those up front.

Some can also hold a large smartphone, with a nearby USB-C port for charging.

Third-row cupholders can also double as smartphone holders.

The second row also gets large bottle holders in the doors, making it easier for passengers to keep drinks within reach.

Engineers Test More Than Just Fit

INFINITI’s engineers use dozens of different containers during development.

They test everything from small cans to large tumblers and coffee mugs with oversized handles.

The QX60 uses a “dog-bone” cupholder design to make room for large mug handles.

The company even fills containers with water and drives test vehicles at its Arizona proving grounds to check for spills.

A “dog-bone” design leaves more room for mug handles, while spring-loaded fingers help secure smaller bottles.

For the INFINITI QX60, the goal is simple: make sure every passenger has a practical place for a drink, whether they’re commuting or taking a long family road trip.

Ferrari has approved its second ADUO-enhanced power unit after positive reliability tests, allowing Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to debut the upgraded engine at Monza.

The wait is over. Ferrari will introduce its second ADUO-enhanced power unit at the Italian Grand Prix, giving Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc a significant engine upgrade for Monza.

The updated six-cylinder unit has passed the required reliability tests and is now approved for competition.

Ferrari Gives Hamilton and Leclerc the New Engine

Both Ferrari drivers will use their fourth power unit of the 2026 season at Monza.

That means neither Hamilton nor Leclerc will receive a grid penalty for the upgrade.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will debut Ferrari’s upgraded power unit at Monza.

The situation is very different for Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

The Mercedes driver is expected to use his team’s fifth power unit, which will result in a 20-place grid penalty.

Mercedes is reportedly considering keeping George Russell on his current engine because the team wants him to challenge for pole and counter Ferrari’s improved performance.

Around 15 More Horsepower

Ferrari’s updated 067/7 power unit has been revised in both the combustion chamber and turbocharger.

The turbo’s diameter remains unchanged, but Ferrari has modified its angle and blade count.

Ferrari’s upgraded 067/7 power unit features revisions to the combustion chamber and turbocharger.

The expected gain is close to 15 horsepower, including the performance benefit from Shell’s new fuel.

Ferrari hopes that increase will cut its power deficit to Mercedes roughly in half.

The engineers have also worked on a different torque-delivery curve to improve how electrical energy is distributed throughout a lap.

That could be especially important at Monza.

Monza Creates a Unique Hybrid Challenge

Monza’s long straights make engine performance extremely important, but the circuit also creates difficulties for hybrid systems.

There are relatively few heavy braking zones, limiting the opportunities to recover energy.

Ferrari has used AI to develop hybrid energy-management strategies for Monza’s demanding layout.

Ferrari has therefore used artificial intelligence to develop energy-management strategies, with the aim of extracting maximum performance from the hybrid system.

The SF-26 will also run its lowest-downforce aerodynamic configuration of the season.

Ferrari plans to use the low-downforce version of its “Macarena” rear wing, while the FTM system will remain installed unless an even larger drag reduction becomes necessary.

Ferrari Needs a Strong Monza

Monza may not be Ferrari’s ideal circuit on paper, but the team cannot afford another lost opportunity.

Mercedes currently holds an 87-point advantage in the constructors’ championship.

Ferrari therefore needs Hamilton and Leclerc to capitalize on the new engine and recover ground at its home race.

The Ferrari engine upgrade could be one of the most important technical developments of the season. If the additional power and improved energy deployment deliver as expected, Monza could provide Ferrari with a much-needed chance to close the gap to Mercedes.