It was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and was released in a three-door and five-door Sportback, two-door Cabriolet and a brand new four-door Saloon. The third generation of the A3 officially went on sale in Europe in September 2012. The RS3 was capable of going 0-62mph in just 4.6 seconds and was essentially a more powerful S3 with a more opulent interior. The RS3 featured a five-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged engine rated at 335bhp, complete with Quattro four-wheel-drive and a seven-speed S Tronic transmission. The hugely popular Audi RS3 Sportback was developed during this time and launched in early 2011. 2008 was also the year the Audi A3 Cabriolet was introduced, with a two-door body and soft top for a top-down driving experience. A new dual-clutch transmission was offered which meant you got a seven-speed S Tronic (automatic) gearbox with the ability to shift gear via paddles. Several cosmetic changes were to the car such as a revised nose, updating tail styling, modified grille and all-new DRLs (Daylight Running Lights). Audi offered both a manual and S Tronic version of this S3 and it was capable of going from 0-62mph in just 5.5 seconds.Ģ008 was a big year for the A3, as a facelift was due to keep things fresh. This time Audi had sourced a modified engine from Volkswagen, which was q 2.0-litre turbocharged FSI petrol engine with a maximum output of 261bhp. 2005 was also the first year the A3 became available on the North American market, featuring the Sportback body exclusively.Ģ006 saw the second generation launch of the S3, which was instantly offered in both three-door and five-door versions. In 2005 the new 'S Line' trim was offered, which featured more premium elements within the interior and more sporty cosmetic changes on the exterior. This was also the first time Audi decided to stop calling the A3 a hatchback and instead named it the Sportback, a name that is still present today. A new automatic gearbox dubbed the 'S Tronic' was brought out to capture the growing automatic transmission audience. The second-gen A3 offered several new engines, a petrol named TFSI (Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection) and a diesel named TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection). Like the first-gen, the A3 was launched with a three-door body only and added a five-door version in 2004. Audi A3 Second Generation: 2003 - 2013Īt the 2003 Genea Motor Show, Audi unveiled their second generation A3 designed by Gary Telaak. Adding new headlights, rear lamps, an updated interior and other cosmetic changes that helped keep the A3 exciting. In late 2000 the A3 range was revised with some new styling to keep things fresh. Subsequent changes to the S3 added another model that produced 222bhp. 1999 also saw the release of the S3, a performance derived A3 that had a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine that produced either 207bhp and Quattro four-wheel-drive transmission. In 1999 Audi expanded the A3 engines with more powerful versions and introduced a five-door body, following customer outcry for one. The A3 was available in both front-wheel and four-wheel-drive (called ' Quattro') and had a transversely mounted inline four-cylinder engine. The A3 arrived in the UK in November of 1996 and was highly coveted across the nation's dealerships. Initially, the A3 was only available in a three-door version and presented a sportier styling compared to the Golf, which was universally praised. The first A3 was launched in 1996 and was actually based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Golf Mk4, which arrived a year later. With a premium interior, a unique, stylish and alluring design and an affordable price tag, the A3 was within reach for many customers after something with a bit more oomph than the Volkswagen Golf. However, the Audi A3 was sufficiently packed with all the latest technology and features, and was lavishly adorned with higher quality materials that made the A3 feel far more upmarket. Nearly 25 years ago, Audi car designer David Caffrey proposed a new hatchback that would go toe to toe with the extremely popular Volkswagen Golf. The Audi A3 was released back in 1996 to challenge the widely popular Volkswagen Golf and has been one of Audi's most popular cars for the past 25 years.
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