Made by the German automaker Audi, the A3 model can be labeled as a luxury sports car, but it is also very family-friendly. Its production began in 1996, when Audi wanted to offer the European market a car with a sportier appearance than the golf model. This is why they originally came out with a three-door hatchback. Other features of the original Audi A3 that deserve a mention are the cross-mounted engine, the four-wheel drive and the four-cylinder configuration. To make the A3 stand out from previous models, it was the first car in the Audi line to use five valve cylinders.
In 1999, Audi had to adapt the A3 model to meet the demands of new customers. Among all the improvements that were made, the most significant were the new 1.8 Turbo engine and the five-door hatchback.
The 2003 Geneva Motor Show revealed a second-generation Audi A3. The new four-cylinder model first arrived as a three-door hatchback, but only a few months later a two-door convertible version and a five-door version were also available. Introduced to the market in 2004, the five-door station wagon known as the Sportback was a real hit, featuring improved rear cabin space and a new front grille as well. The last modifications to the Audi A3 were made in 2007, when it was made with a 1.4 L TFSI engine and the “e” model was also launched as a greener alternative to reduce CO2 emissions.
