GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Audi - A3 - Cabriolet range

Latest articles for Audi A3

Audi A3 (A5 8P A3 Series I)

A5 8P A3 Series I

Make: Audi

Model: A3

Released: Jan 1970

Discontinued: Jan 2010

Audi logo1 Jul 2004

By THE GOAUTO TEAM

Audi didn’t mess around with its successful A3 formula for the second-generation version, adding edgier styling and more room to a three-door only body.

But, being based on the A5 Golf V, the platform was all new and much improved over the old A3, mainly due to a multi-link rear suspension. The base 75kW/148Nm 1.6 continued, but the 1.8s vanished for Audi’s excellent new 2.0 FSI four-cylinder units in regular (110kW/200Nm) or turbocharged (TFSI – 147kW/280Nm) guises.

All offered six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes – with the TFSI offering Audi’s superb double-clutch DSG auto in lieu of the regular Tiptronic.

The DSG was also the star of the 103kW/320Nm 2.0 TDI four-cylinder turbo-diesel model, as well as the expensive range-topper, the 184kW/320Nm 3.2 V6 Quattro – with Haldex part-time all-wheel drive.

Audi parred back the three-door range to just the 1.6 manual and 2.0 FSI automatic in late ’05, as the Sportback five-door hatch released from February took over most of the A3’s duties.

AUDI'S first S3 three-door carved itself a solid reputation for being a seriously rapid European hot-hatch with high Audi quality, a peaky turbocharged four-cylinder engine and even more agile, neutral all-wheel drive handling than its sister model, Volkswagen's V6-powered Golf R32.

For 2007 Audi returns after a four-year hiatus with a 188kW/330Nm 2.0-litre turbo four (195kW/350Nm in Europe) that eclipses the nose-heavier R32, brings more equipment and takes the bigger new (since 2004) three-door A3 body to new levels of dynamic proficiency.

The best part is that at $64,500 the latest S3 is almost $2000 less expensive than the model it replaces. As before, it features a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission and beefier brakes, as well as a higher-class cabin and a comprehensive standard safety armoury.

In October 2008 Audi launched its S3 Sportback hot hatcrange. In Audi parlance, Sportback refers to a five-door hatch. It joins the existing three-door and shares its mechanical bits.

This is good news because that includes a 2.0-litre TFSI turbo four-cylinder that punches out 188kW. That is enough to shoot this premium hot hatch from 0-100km/h in just 5.8 seconds.

The only transmission available is a six-speed manual.

Power is sent through all four wheels using Audi’s quattro system using a clever Haldex clutch.

At a shade below $70,000 the S3 Sportback is not cheap, but it is a serious competitor to the Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO MR and is a lot more luxurious.

Reviews

When it was new

Latest reviews

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here