Description and history of car models Audi A3

This is a compact family car of the C-class with a hatchback body. The first two generations are built on the basis of the Volkswagen Group A platform, which is also used to build compact cars of Volkswagen, SEAT, Skoda and Audi. The engine is located transversely in the front, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Since the start of production, the Audi A3 has gone through three stages of changes.

The closest German competitors are the BMW 1 Series, Mercedes-Benz A-class and Volkswagen Golf, and classmates from other countries are Opel Astra, Fiat Bravo, Peugeot 308, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Ceed, Mazda 3, Nissan Almera, Renault Fluence, Renault Megane, Ford Focus, Citroen C4, Skoda Octavia and Volvo V40.

Audi A3 first generation (1996-2003)

The first model of Audi A3 (Typ 8L) was released in June 1996. It was an attempt to occupy the niche of compact cars instead of the Audi 50, which ceased to be produced in 1978. The car is built on the Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform, on which the Volkswagen Golf fourth generation.

Initially, the body was only available as a three-door hatchback. In 1999, a five-door hatchback appeared. In 2000, a cosmetic facelift was carried out - the headlights and taillights were changed and the interior was improved.

There are three engines to choose from - petrol engines with a capacity of 1.6 and 1.8 liters (from 102 to 180 hp) and one 1.9-liter turbocharged diesel with 130 hp. The gearbox is available in four versions - 5 or 6 manual, 4 or 5 automatic. This is the second model of the car after Audi A4, where five valves per cylinder began to be used.

Euro NCAP gave the car a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The assessment concluded that "the steering column lock, adjuster lever and bracket present a risk to the driver's knee impact zone, which could cause high loads on the legs and damage to the knees." The A3 also offers little protection for pedestrians, giving it just two stars out of a possible four.

Audi A3 second generation (2003-2012)

Second modification (Typ 8P) was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2003. The car was built on the platform of the next generation Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35), heavily redesigned with a more spacious interior.

The body was initially only a 3-door hatchback, then in 2004 a 5-door hatchback (sportback) appeared, and in 2008 a convertible was presented. Restyling for 10 years of production of this modification occurred 3 times - in 2005, 2008 and 2010.

During this time, there have also been many engines in this modification. I will not list all the details, I will try to be brief - gasoline engines with a volume of 1.2 to 3.2 liters with a power of 102 to 340 hp, diesel engines with a volume of 1.6 to 2.0 liters with a power of 90 to 170 hp. There is also a large choice of transmissions - 5- or 6-speed manual transmission, 6-speed automatic transmission, 6- or 7-speed DSG (preselective gearbox).


The European committee Euro NCAP tested the second generation with front airbags, side airbags, belt pretensioners and load limiters. Although Audi increased the protection inside the car for the driver and passengers, pedestrian safety was 33% worse compared to the first generation, and Euro NCAP criticized the car for offering virtually no protection in the front and gave it only one star out of four.

Audi A3 third generation (2012-2020)

In 2012, the third generation of the A3 (Typ 8V) was presented at the Geneva Motor Show, and the car went on sale in September of the same year. It is the first vehicle to use the flexible modular platform of the Volkswagen Group MQB. The car has a very advanced multimedia system and a computer that controls many functions both in the cabin and while driving.

There are now more body variations - now it is a 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback (sportback), 2-door convertible and for the first time a 5-door sedan appeared. The front suspension is MacPherson type, and the rear is a multi-link suspension.

All petrol engines are 4-cylinder, turbocharged, with direct fuel injection (TFSI) with a volume of 1.2, 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0 liters and a power of 105 to 223 hp. There are two diesel engines with a volume of 1.6 and 2.0 liters and a power of 115 and 150 hp, also 4-cylinder. There are three gearboxes to choose from - a 6-speed manual, 6- or 7-speed S Tronic (or DSG).

Euro NCAP tested the third generation Audi A3, a three-door hatchback with front airbags, side airbags, seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters as standard, and awarded the car five stars.

Note how the manufacturer has addressed previous criticism regarding pedestrian safety and improved this rating.

Audi А3 2012, 5-дв. hatchback (sportback)

Audi А3 2012, 5-дв. sedan

Audi А3 2012, cabriolet

Audi A3 fourth generation (2020-present)

Fourth generation with code Typ 8Y, was supposed to be presented at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show. but it was cancelled due to the pandemic. In March 2020, the car was presented at an online presentation. It is based on the VW MQB Evo platform, which is also used for the VW Golf 8, SEAT Leon 4 and Skoda Octavia 4. The body has a drag coefficient of 0.28 and is presented as a Sedan and Sportback (hatchback). The length of the sedan is 4495 mm, the height is 1425 mm, the length of the hatchback is 4343 m, the height is 1449 mm. The remaining dimensions are the same - the width is 1816 mm, the wheelbase is 2636 and the curb weight is 1320 kg.

Petrol engines are represented by two models - three-cylinder petrol engines with a volume of 1.0 liter (999 cm³, EA211, 110 hp) and four-cylinder 1.4-liter (1395 cm³, EA211, 150 hp) and 1.5 liters (1498 cm³, EA211, 150 hp). There were two models of diesel engines - 1.0 liter (999 cm³, TDI, 116 hp) and 2.0 liters (1968 cm³, EA288 evo 4 TDI, 150 hp). Gearbox: 6-speed manual or DSG (dual clutch) 7-speed.

The fourth-generation Audi S3 sports version was equipped with a 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine (1984 cm³, EA888 evo 2, 310 hp) with automatic transmission.

Audi А3, hatchback, back view

Audi А3 2021, interior

Audi А3 2021, trunk