Audi A3, the story of a myth that has lasted for over 20 years. The Audi A3 has always been the ultimate premium compact sedan.
20 years have passed since the first Audi A3 was presented to the public. It was in 1996 when the Audi sedan made its debut at theFrankfurt Motor Show.
The car was based on the platform of the Golf IV, then released in 1997. Since the first generation, the Audi compact sedan has stood out for its innovations and superior build quality. Initially, the Audi A3 was only available in a three-door version. There were three variants for the trim and four different engine options available.
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In 1998, with the Audi A3, the permanent all-wheel drive “quattro” was introduced for the first time in the compact car segment. The true Audi trademark.
Then, in 1999, the 5-door version and the S3 model (2001) followed. The latter was a significant milestone for the entire brand: a 1.8 inline four-cylinder engine, turbocharged with 5V technology that allowed it to reach 210 hp.
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Second generation (8P/8PA).
In 2003, the Audi A3 was renewed with the second generation and, at the turn of 2004 and 2005, also the Sportback 5-door version, which carries another brand element, the single-frame grille Audi A3 8p 2008 — ph by www.autofakty.pl. This was not just an aesthetic redesign, but a new floor plan. The PQ35, the same as the Golf, Seat Leon, and Skoda Octavia. The car was available with a wide range of engines.
The years 2006 and 2007 saw the sporty version Audi S3 (2.0 TFSI and 265 hp) hit the market and the Audi A3 Cabriolet. The last release before the third generation is the Audi RS3 Sportback, a super sporty model equipped with Haldex four-wheel drive and a 7-speed S-tronic transmission.
Third generation (8V).
Audi RS3 8V 2012 — ph di mattbuck (category) — Own work by mattbuck., CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46633030
In addition to the first series of the A3, the platform is completely renovated: it is the new modular MQB floor plan. The main features are a low weight of up to 8 kg, reduced front overhangs despite front-wheel drive, and multi-link rear suspension (as in the previous series).
The engines are all turbocharged (TDI Common Rail and TFSI) and feature direct injection. Also innovative is the Cylinder on Demand system that allows for two-cylinder operation to save fuel. Among the options, check the MMI system, with a large flat screen.
In 2013, the S3 was launched with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder powertrain producing 300 hp. Two years later, the second generation of RS3 also arrived. The Audi RS3 uses the 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder TFSI engine from the second generation TTRS Plus, but compared to the latter, there were changes in the turbochargers that increased its power. Here, it delivers 367 hp with a torque of 465 Nm, which is transmitted to the all-wheel drive via a 7-speed S Tronic transmission. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and reaches a maximum speed (electronically limited) of 250 km/h.
The RS3 has a slightly different body and size compared to the higher versions; the length is increased to 4.34 meters and the width to 1.80 meters, while the height is reduced to 1.41 meters. The curb weight increases to 1595 kg due to the increased mass of the engine and other mechanical components that have been modified and reinforced to withstand higher stress.
2016 Facelift.
In 2016, the Audi A3 completed its first 20 years of history and, for the occasion, a few minor modifications were made: new exterior lines for the bumpers and changes in the front and rear optical assemblies. New driver assistance systems are also available, making the car much “smarter.”
Another novelty is the fully digital dashboard, similar to that of high-end cars. Technology also expands in lighting, with new Matrix LED headlights offered.
Curiosity.
In Germany alone, the combination of different body versions, engines, transmissions, and drive types results in 54 variants. At the Ingolstadt plant, Audi produces the Audi A3, A3 Sportback, A3 Sportback e-tron, and A3 Sportback g-tron models. In 2001, the Group expanded the production of A3 models with the Győr production plant, where the Audi A3 Sedan and A3 convertibles are now produced. At the Foshan plant, Audi produces A3 Sportback and A3 Sedan for the Chinese market. In over twenty years since its launch, total production has exceeded four million units.
Tag: 2020 Audi A3 Sportback model