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The Audi A3 was introduced to the European market in 1996. Marketed as a small family car, the Audi A3 marked the German carmaker's move back to smaller vehicles after the demise of the Audi 50. Today, newer versions are available in the A3, for example, the A3 Sportback and the A3 Cabriolet.
There have been two generations of the Audi A3. These are the Typ 8L and Typ 8P. The first generation remained in production until 2003 (2006 in Brazil). Although production has now ceased, used Audi A3 first generation models are still available in some countries.
The first A3s were sporty three-door hatchbacks with transversely mounted inline four-cylinder engines. Then, in 1999, Audi introduced a more powerful version of the Typ 8L featuring a 1.8 Turbo. In 2000, cosmetic changes were applied to the range, including the addition of rear light clusters and a six-speed manual gearbox.
The second generation Audi A3 was introduced at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. Also introduced was a three door hatchback. This version featured a PQ35 platform and roomier interior. In mid-2003, two sports models were added to the A3 line: a 2.0 Turbo-FSI and the S-Tronic semi-automatic. Today, the A3 range is marketed as a high-quality, sporty compact.
Audi A3 sales began in 2005. In 2008, the second generation range went through a series of changes, including a new nose and tail design, grille modification, and the introduction of daytime running lights.
Since its introduction, the Audi A3 cars have received a number of accolades, including being named as the 2010 Green Car of the Year' by the Green Car Journal. For this reason secondhand Audi A3s are popular amongst buyers.'