Audi A3 |
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Wikipedia: Audi A3
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History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Automotive Industries page on 2 June 2017, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Audi A3 is a Small Family/Compact car produced since 1996. The first two generations of A3 were based on the Volkswagen Group A platform, which they share with several other models such as the Audi TT, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Caddy, and Volkswagen Touran, as well as SEAT León, SEAT Toledo, and Škoda Octavia. The third-generation A3 uses the Volkswagen Group MQB platform.
First generation (Typ 8L; 1996–2003)
The original A3 (or Typ 8L) was introduced in the European market in 1996, marking Audi's return to the production of smaller cars following the demise of the Audi 50 in 1978. This was the first Volkswagen Group model to use the "PQ34" or "A4" platform, bearing a close resemblance to the contemporary Volkswagen Golf Mk4, which arrived a year later. Within three years, this platform was used for total of seven cars.
The A3 was initially available only with a three-door hatchback body, to present a more sporty image than the Golf, in both front and four-wheel drive. The inline four-cylinder engines were transversely mounted. After the A4, the Audi A3 was the second model in the Audi lineup to use five valves per cylinder.
The United Kingdom market first received the Audi A3 in November 1996.
In 1999, Audi expanded the range with the introduction of more powerful versions: a 1.8 turbo rated 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp), and a 1.9 TDI diesel engine with unit injector "Pumpe Düse" (PD) technology and variable geometry turbocharger. The four-wheel-drive A3 1.8T quattro used either the 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) or 180 PS (130 kW; 180 hp) engine, and the same Haldex Traction-based four-wheel-drive system as the Audi S3 and the Audi TT. Also in 1999, Audi also introduced a five-door body.
In late 2000, the A3 range was revised with new headlights and rear lamps, other minor cosmetic changes, an improved interior, and the introduction of a six-speed manual gearbox, on the 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp) 1.8 Turbo and the new 130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp) 1.9 TDI.
Second generation (Typ 8P; 2003–2012)
At the 2003 Geneva Motor Show, Audi launched the second generation of the A3, the Typ 8P, designed by Gary Telaak during 2000 (however, the final design was frozen in 2001). Originally launched only as a three-door hatchback with four-cylinder engines, it featured a new automobile platform (the PQ35 platform), a redesigned and more spacious interior, new petrol engines with Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI), and standard six-speed manual gearboxes (except on the base 1.6).
In mid-2003, the line was updated with two sports-oriented models, a 2.0 Turbo-FSI version rated 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp), and a 3.2 L VR6 engine (for the first time) with 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp). Haldex Traction-based quattro on-demand four-wheel drive, and the S-Tronic semi-auto gearbox were introduced as options (quattro is standard on the VR6) on models with engines over 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp).
In 2005, the "S line" trim level, offering new decorative elements, became available and the three-door A3 received the same front end styling features as the Sportback model. For the first time, the A3 became available in the North American market, exclusively with the Sportback body, with the base 2.0 inline-four TFSI introduced in 2005 as a 2006 model, and the 3.2 VR6 quattro following.
Third generation (Typ 8V; 2012–present)
The vehicle was unveiled in 2012 Geneva Motor Show. and went on sale in Europe in September 2012.
First vehicle using the flexible modular Volkswagen Group MQB platform, the third generation is available as a three-door hatchback, a five-door "Sportback", a four-door saloon to directly rival the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, and a two-door Cabriolet.
The front suspension is a MacPherson strut set-up while the rear utilizes multi-link rear suspension.
| Date | Article | Author/Source |
|---|---|---|
| 23 August 2007 | Audi A3 Emits Lesser CO2 | Anthony Fontanelle |
| 23 November 2008 | Unique Parts For Your Audi | Martin Reister |
| 12 March 2013 | Audi introduces cylinder shutdown to the A1 and A3  | Matt Hubbard, Speedmonkey |
| 8 September 2013 | 2014 Audi A3 Cabriolet (with S3 cabrio to follow soon) | Matt Hubbard, Speedmonkey |
| 12 November 2013 | Ever The Optimists, Audi Plan For Spring | Geoff Maxted, DriveWrite Automotive |
| 19 March 2014 | 2014 Audi A3 Cabriolet Review | Matt Hubbard, Speedmonkey |
| 9 July 2019 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance | Federal Register: NHTSA (Otto G. Matheke III) |
| Date | Document Name & Details | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 4 December 2006 | Vehicle Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 208, Occupant Crash Protection; FMVSS 212, Windshield Mounting; FMVSS 219, Windshield Intrustion (Partial); FMVSS 301, Fuel System Integrity 2006 Audi A3 Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |  PDF - 20.9MB - 385 pages |
| 7 December 2006 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 225: "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems" 2996 Audi A3 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 9.2MB - 93 pages |
| 12 December 2006 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 201: Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, Upper Interior Head Impact Protection 2006 Audi A3 4-Door Wagon National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 7.6MB - 156 pages |
| 30 September 2011 | NHTSA Recall 11V490000 2010-2012 Audi A3, 2010-2012 Volkswagen Golf, 2009-2012 Volkswagen Jetta Fuel System, Diesel National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Recall Page - 1 page |
| 30 September 2011 | Notification of Voluntary Recall From: Christopher T. Sandvig, Volkswagen Group of America To: Claude H. Harris, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 303KB - 1 page |
| October 2011 | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Voluntary Safety Recall 23J8 Audi of America, Inc. NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 64KB - 3 pages |
| October 2011 | Safety Recall 23J8/K5 Audi of America, Inc./Volkswagen NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 101KB - 8 pages |
| 3 October 2011 | Mandatory Stop-Sale/Voluntary Safety Recall 23J8 Audi of America, Inc. NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 68KB - 2 pages |
| 4 October 2011 | 2010-2012 Model Year A3 Diesel Fuel Injection Lines Audi NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 239KB - 11 pages |
| 4 October 2011 | Upcoming Voluntary Safety Recall 23J8 Audi of America, Inc. NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 48KB - 2 pages |
| 5 October 2011 | Diesel Fuel Injection Lines From: Ric Willard, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration To: Christopher T. Sandvig, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 27KB - 3 pages |
| 5 October 2011 | Notification of Voluntary Recall - Amendment From: Christopher T. Sandvig, Volkswagen Group of America To: Claude H. Harris, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 195KB - 1 page |
| 20 October 2011 | Notification of Voluntary Recall - Amendment to 11V-490 From: Christopher T. Sandvig, Volkswagen Group of America To: Claude H. Harris, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 23KB - 1 page |
| November 2011 | Voluntary Safety Recall 23J8 Audi of America, Inc. NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 90KB - 4 pages |
| 9 November 2011 | 2010-2012 Model Year A3 Diesel Fuel Injection Lines AudiNHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 505KB - 29 pages |
| 10 November 2011 | Voluntary Recall Amendment - NHTSA Code 11V-490 From: Christopher T. Sandvig, Volkswagen Group of America To: Claude H. Harris, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 230KB - 1 page |
| 1 December 2011 | Voluntary Recall Amendment- NHTSA Code 11V-490 From: Christopher T. Sandvig, Volkswagen Group of America To: Claude H. Harris, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 21KB - 1 page |
| 31 January 2012 | Quarterly Recall Completion Report Volkswagen Group of America NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 50KB - 3 pages |
| 27 April 2012 | Quarterly Recall Completion Report Volkswagen Group of America NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 48KB - 3 pages |
| 31 October 2012 | Quarterly Recall Completion Report Volkswagen Group of America NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 551KB - 3 pages |
| 25 January 2013 | Quarterly Recall Completion Report Volkswagen Group of America NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 85KB - 3 pages |
| 26 April 2013 | Quarterly Recall Completion Report Volkswagen Group of America NHTSA Recall 11V490000 | PDF - 107KB - 3 pages |
| 8 October 2019 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance | Federal Register: NHTSA (Otto G. Matheke III) |
| 1 July 2020 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance | Federal Register: NHTSA (Otto G. Matheke III) |
