Description and history of car models Audi A3

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

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 the Audi A3 (Typ 8L) was released in June 1996. It was an attempt to fill the niche of compact cars instead of the Audi 50, which ceased production in 1978. The car is built on the Volkswagen Group A4 platform (PQ34), which will appear in a year Volkswagen Golf fourth generation.

Initially, the body was only available as a three-door hatchback. In 1999, a 5-door hatchback appeared. In 2000, they carried out a cosmetic facelift - they changed the headlights and taillights and improved the interior.

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

Euro NCAP gave the car a 4 out of 5 star rating. The assessment concluded that «the steering column lock, governor lever and bracket present a danger to the driver's knee impact zone, which can cause heavy loads on the legs and damage to the knees». The A3 also offers little to no pedestrian protection, giving it only 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. A car was built on the platform of the next generation Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35), heavily redesigned with a more spacious interior.

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

During this time, a lot of engines have also been in this modification. I will not list all the details, I will try briefly - gasoline engines with a volume of 1.2 to 3.2 liters with a capacity of 102 to 340 hp, diesel engines with a volume of 1.6 to 2.0 liters with a capacity of 90 to 170 hp. There is also a wide 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. Even though Audi has increased protection inside the car for the driver and passengers, safety on pedestrians is 33% worse compared to the first generation, and Euro NCAP criticized the car for offering little to no protection on the front and gave it only one star out of four.

Audi A3 third generation (2012—2020)

In 2012, the third generation 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 Volkswagen Group's flexible modular MQB platform. The car has a very advanced multimedia system and a computer that controls many functions both in the cabin and while driving.


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

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

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

Notice how the manufacturer has taken into account previous criticisms of pedestrian safety and how it has improved.

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, is due to be unveiled at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show. but that was canceled due to the pandemic. In March 2020, the car was presented at an online presentation. 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 available 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 rest of the dimensions are the same - width 1816 mm, wheelbase 2636 and curb weight 1320 kg.

Gasoline engines are represented by two models - three-cylinder gasoline 1.0 liter (999 cm³, EA211, 110 hp) and four-cylinder 1.4 liters (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. with.). Transmission manual 6-speed or DSG (dual clutch) 7-speed.

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

Audi А3, hatchback, back view

Audi А3 2021, interior

Audi А3 2021, trunk