INGOLSTADT, GERMANY – Audi has released information on the refreshed North American model, including small design tweaks such as a front fascia similar to the 2009 A4, new wheel designs, and Audi’s trademark LED daytime running lamps, according to http://blogs.automobilemag.com.

Also, Audi has made a few small changes to the model mixture — all five-door hatchbacks in either 2.0T or 3.2 form. Audi’s adding features to base models previously found only on higher trims, such as equipping a four-cylinder 2.0T model with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system, a feature previously restricted to the 3.2 V-6 car. And Audi has made Sirius satellite radio, leather seats, and auxiliary audio inputs standard equipment on all trims. Hill-hold assist, previously found only on cars equipped with the S-tronic dual-clutch transmission, is now standard on the base 2.0T with the six-speed manual transmission.

One new option is Audi Magnetic Ride, the magnetically-variable suspension also found on the Audi TT.

Audi has priced the base 2.0T, equipped with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, at $26,920; a top-end 3.2 Quattro model starts at $36,975. Look for the 2009 A3 to arrive at dealers this fall.