Audi A3

Infobox Automobile


name = Audi A3
manufacturer = Audi
parent_company = Volkswagen Group
slogan = More than what's new, it's what's next
production = 1996—present
predecessor =
transmission = 6-speed automatic and manual
class = Entry-level luxury car/Small family car
platform = Volkswagen Group A platform series
layout = Front engine, front-wheel drive/quattro four-wheel drive

The Audi A3 is an entry-level luxury car/small family car produced by the German automaker Audi since 1996. Two generations of A3 exist, both based on the Volkswagen Group A platform, which they share with several other models such as the Audi TT, Volkswagen Golf, Caddy and Touran as well as Škoda Octavia and SEAT León.__TOC__

First generation A3 (8L): 1996–2003

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Audi A3 (8L)


aka = "Typ" 8L
production = 1996–2003
engine = 1.6 L I4 1.8L I4 1.8L Turbo I4 1.9L TDI I4
transmission =
assembly = Ingolstadt, Germany;
Curitiba, Brazil
related = Audi TT (8N)
VW Golf Mk4
Škoda Octavia Mk1 SEAT León VW Jetta Mk4
Volkswagen New Beetle
body_style = 3-door hatchback
5-door hatchback
wheelbase = Auto mm|2516|1
length = Auto mm|4165|1
width = Auto mm|1752|1
height = Auto mm|1420|1
platform = Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform

The original A3 (or "Typ" 8L) was introduced in the European market in 1996, marking Audi's return to the lower market segments since the demise of the Audi 50. This was the first Volkswagen Group model to use the "PQ34" or "A4" platform, bearing a natural close resemblance to its contemporary, the Volkswagen Golf Mk4. The car was initially available only with a three-door hatchback body, in order to present a more sporty image than the Golf, in both front- and four-wheel drive. All engines had a four-cylinder configuration and were transversely mounted. After the A4, the Audi A3 was the second model in the Audi lineup to use five valves per cylinder.

In 1999, Audi expanded the range with the introduction of more powerful versions: a 1.8 Turbo with 180 PS (132 kW)) and a 1.9 I4 TDI Diesel with pumpe-düse technology and variable geometry turbocharger. The four-wheel-drive A3 1.8T quattro used either the 150 hp (110 kW) or 180 PS (132 kW) engine and the same Haldex Traction-based all-wheel drive system as the Audi S3 and the Audi TT. 1999 was also the year Audi was forced to bow to market demands and introduced a hastily-conceived five-door body that the company had not previously intended to produce.

In late 2000, the A3 range was revised with new headlights and rear light clusters, other minor cosmetic changes, an improved interior, and the introduction of a six-speed manual gearbox, on the Auto PS|180|0 1.8 Turbo and the brand new 130 PS (96 kW) 1.9 TDI. Audi's ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) traction-control and brake force distribution computer became standard equipment.

Although the Audi A3 was replaced in Europe during 2003, the first generation model continues to be sold in developing countries. After production of the first generation model stopped in Brazil, the retail price increased from R$60,000(US$30,000) to R$100,000 (US$50,000). Fact|date=February 2007

Engines

The engines used are the same as for many other cars in the Volkswagen Group.

econd generation A3 (8P): 2003–present

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Audi A3 (8P)


aka = "Typ" 8P (3-door), "Typ" 8PA (5-door)
production = 2003–present
engine = "Petrol engines:"
1.6 L I4,
2.0 L I4,
1.8 L I4 Turbo,
2.0 L I4 Turbo
3.2 L VR6;
"Diesel engines:"
1.9 L I4 TDI
2.0 L I4 TDI
assembly = Ingolstadt, Germany;
Brussels, Belgium (2004-2005; 2007 onwards);
related = Audi TT (8J)
VW Golf/Rabbit Mk5
Škoda Octavia II
SEAT León II
VW Jetta Mk5
wheelbase = 2578 mm (101.5 in)
length = 3-door: 4215 mm (165.9 in) 5-door: 4285 mm (168.7 in)
width = 1765 mm (77.1 in)
height = 1420 mm (56.0 in)
platform = Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform
body_style = 3-door hatchback
5-door estate
2-door convertible
fuel_capacity = Convert|55|L|impgal usgal|1|abbr=onIn the 2003 Geneva Motor Show, Audi launched the second-generation of the A3, the "Typ" 8P, designed by Walter de'Silva. Originally launched only as a three-door hatchback with four cylinder engines, it featured a new automobile platform (the PQ35 platform), a redesigned and more spacious interior, new petrol engines with Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI), and standard six-speed manual gearboxes (except on the base 1.6).

In mid 2003, the line was updated with two sports-orientated models, a 2.0 Turbo-FSI version with auto PS|200|0, and a 3.2 VR6 engine (for the first time) with auto PS|250|0. Haldex Traction-based quattro four wheel drive, and the S-Tronic semi-auto gearbox were introduced as optionals (quattro is standard on the VR6) on every model Auto PS|140|0 and over.

A new five-door body, named "Sportback", was introduced in June 2004. Unlike the previous generation, the new A3 Sportback is auto mm|80|2 longer than the base three-door body, and includes improved rear cabin space and a larger luggage compartment (370 litres). It also received the new "single frame" front grille originally introduced in the A8 W12.

North American launch

In 2005, the "S-line" trim level, with new sporty decorative elements, became available in certain models, and the 3-door received the same frontend as the Sportback. For the first time, the A3 became available in the North American market, exclusively with the Sportback body, with the base 2.0 straight-4 TFSI introduced in 2005 as a 2006 model and the 3.2 V6 quattro following in 2006. In the Spring of 2005, Audi began a massive alternate reality game to advertise for the A3, known as "The Art of the Heist".

New engine options

In April 2006, the lineup was expanded with the introduction of a more powerful 2.0 TDI with auto PS|170|0. In August 2006, Audi announced the arrival of the S3 version, which became the new range topper. The 2.0 TFSI engine was re-engineered and uprated to auto PS|265|0, and is available with standard quattro and a 6-speed manual gearbox. The second generation S3 is capable of accelerating to auto km/h|100|1 in 5.7 seconds. The springs and dampers were tuned for a harder setting, and ride height lowered by auto mm|25|2. 225/40 ZR18 tyres are standard.

In January 2007, the normally aspirated (non-turbo) 2.0 FSI was replaced by a new turbocharged 1.8 TFSI engine, with auto PS|160|0. It is available in front-wheel drive only.

In late 2007, Audi introduced a new auto PS|125|0 1.4L TFSI engine for the A3, replacing the 1.6 FSI engine, and a new diesel "e"-model. The "e"-model, Audi's equivalent of Volkswagen's BlueMotion, is available with the 1.9L TDI engine, and offers a more ecological car, with a CO₂ emission below 120 g/km.

2008 revisions

In 2008, Audi introduced a number of changes to the A3 and S3. These include revised nose and tail styling, with a modified grille and the new "trademark" daytime running lights, common rail 2.0 TDI engines, 7-speed S-tronic automatic transmission availability for the smaller engines, and optional "magnetic ride" adaptive shock absorbers. In addition, the range now includes an S3 Sportback model. [cite web
url=http://www.audi.co.uk/audi/uk/en2/about_audi_ag/news/The_new_generation_Audi_A3.html
title=The new generation Audi A3
date=2008-04-27
work=www.audi.co.uk
accessdate=2008-07-14]

Engines

The engines used are the same as for many other cars in the Volkswagen Group.

Awards and accolades

* (2008) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick in midsize cars
* (2007) Audi 2.0T FSI named International Engine of the Year
* (2006) "International Car of the Year" Entry-Level Car of the Year – “Most Spirited”
* (2006) Auto Interior of the Year in popular-priced category
* (2006) Named overall best New England Winter Vehicle by the New England Motor Press Association
* (2006) Best Luxury Small Car Pick by "BusinessWeek" Magazine
* (2006) South African Car of the Year
* (2005) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Double Best Pick for frontal-offset and side-impact tests
* (2000) Brazilian Car of the Year
* (1998) Federal German Prize for Product Design
* (1997, 1999, 2000) "Auto Motor und Sport" readers' poll Best Car award
* (1997) "Autozeitung" "Auto Trophy" award
* (1996) "Bild am Sonntag" "Golden Steering Wheel" award

ee also

*Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro concept
*Audi S3

References

# "A7, A5, and A3 Joins Even Numbers", an article in the "News" section on page thirty-eight of the June, 2004 issue of "Motor Trend"
# Audi A3 Owner's Manual (English/UK edition) (2000 Audi AG)

External links

* [http://new-cars.audi.co.uk/audi-a3/ Official Audi UK A3 microsite]
* [http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/new_cars/Audi_A3.html Official Audi USA A3 microsite]
* [http://www.audi.ca/audi/ca/en2/new_cars/Audi_A3.html Official Audi Canada A3 microsite]
** [http://cars.about.com/od/audi/fr/ag_07AudiA3.htm 2007 Audi A3 S-line review at About.com]
** [http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/driver_power_2007/207873/audi_a3.html Auto Express Driver Power 2007 survey] (UK)
** [http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=5529 Road & Track 2006 Audi A3 2.0 T DSG Long Term Test]