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Audi A3
Audi A3
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Audi A3

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Audi A3

The Audi A3 is a small family car (C-segment) manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi AG since September 1996.

The first two generations of the Audi A3 were based on the Volkswagen Group A platform, while the third and fourth generations use the Volkswagen Group MQB platform.

Audi announced the first generation A3 (Typ 8L) in June 1995. The model was launched for the European market in September 1996 and marked Audi's return to small cars after 19 years, following the demise of the Audi 50 in 1978.

The A3 was the first Volkswagen Group model to use the PQ34 (or "A4") platform, bearing close resemblance to the Volkswagen Golf Mk4, which arrived a year later. Within three years of the A3's launch, the PQ34 platform was utilised by seven different vehicles.

Initially, the A3 was only available as a three-door hatchback; this was done to give the model a sportier image and differentiate it from the Golf. Offered with transversely mounted inline four-cylinder engines in both front and quattro four-wheel drive, the A3 was Audi's eighth model to have five valves per cylinder. The dashboard was also used by the first generation SEAT León and second generation SEAT Toledo.

The United Kingdom received the Audi A3 in November 1996.

In 1999, Audi expanded the A3 range with the introduction of a five-door hatch and two new engine options; a 1.8 L turbocharged inline four-cylinder rated at 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp), and a 1.9 L TDI diesel with unit injector "Pumpe Düse" (PD) technology and a variable geometry turbocharger. The four-wheel drive A3 1.8T Quattro used either the 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) or 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp) engine, and the same Haldex Traction-based quattro system as the Audi S3 and Audi TT.

In late 2000, the A3 range was updated with new headlights and taillights, an improved interior, and other minor cosmetic changes alongside the introduction of a six-speed manual gearbox on the 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp) 1.8T and new 130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp) 1.9 TDI.

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