Audi A3 Third generation

Production	2012–2019
Assembly	Ingolstadt, Germany Foshan, China (starting 2013)
Body style	3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback
Platform	Volkswagen Group MQB
Engine	1.4 L I4 t/c petrol 1.8 L I4 t/c petrol 1.6 L I4 t/c diesel 2.0 L I4 t/c diesel
Transmission	6-speed manual 6-speed DSG (S-Tronic) 7-speed DSG (S-Tronic)
Wheelbase	2,601 mm (102.4 in)
Length	4,237 mm (166.8 in)
Width	1,777 mm (70.0 in)
Height	1,421 mm (55.9 in)
Related	Volkswagen Golf Mk7 SEAT León Mk3 Škoda Octavia Mk3
Designer(s)	Dany Garand (2009)

The third generation A3 was launched in three-door hatchback form at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and went on sale in Europe in September 2012.

History

Compared to the previous model, the dimensions are slightly larger, however, the weight has been reduced from 40 kg up to 80 kg compared to the old series.

Based on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform, the third generation will later become available as a five-door "Sportback" and convertible. For the interim, the convertible and five-door bodystyles will continue on the previous Typ 8P chassis until 2013. It is at this time when for the first time, an A3 four-door sedan version will be offered—thus effectively filling in the gap left by the A4 which has become larger with each generation.

Front suspension is by MacPherson strut and there is multi-link rear suspension

At launch, there were two petrol engine options (a 1.4 TFSI with 120 bhp and a 1.8 TSI with 178 bhp) and a 2.0 TDI diesel with 150 bhp. A 1.6 TDI engine with CO₂ emissions of 99g/km and a 1.2 TFSI petrol engine are also expected later in 2012.
All engines in the A3 are equipped with a turbocharger. The Audi A3 is the first Volkswagen Group car based on the new MQB platform. This base was developed to be used for all vehicles of the Group with the transverse front engine, apart from the category of small cars. The front suspension is MacPherson type while at the rear it uses multi-link type suspension.
The third generation is available as a three-door sedan and as a five-door called Sportback. In 2013, in addition to the convertible version, a 3-volume 4-door sedan configuration called Sedan is also available; it is the first time ever that the A3 is presented in this configuration
As for the other models, a hybrid version of the A3 called e-tron. The propulsion system consisted of a 1.4 TFSI engine combined with an electric motor, whose combined power was 204 HP with a torque of 350 Nm, which guaranteed acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 7.6 seconds, with a maximum speed of 222 km / h. The internal combustion engine consumed 1.5 liters of fuel per 100 km, while the electric one had a range of 50 km. The gearbox that manages both engines is a six-speed S tronic. There is also a methane version called g-tron that uses the 1.4 turbo that delivers 110 horsepower. In addition to this version, the S3 and RS3 sports cars were launched, respectively with engines of 310 and 367 hp.

New features included in the new A3 include a new entertainment system with handwriting recognition and adaptive cruise control.

In April 2016, Audi announced a restyling of the A3 models. In addition to minor changes, new exterior lines for the bumpers and changes in the headlights for the front and rear lights that are now similar to the Audi A4 with a more squared-off "z" profile, other driver assistance systems are available and a new full digital dashboard similar to the latest Audi. Halogen headlights are no longer available and xenon headlights are included as standard equipment; new LED Matrix headlights are also available. In addition, Audi has announced updated engines and a new 3-cylinder 1.0 TFSI engine with 115 hp and 200 Nm of torque for the first time.

On January 9, 2013, the new A3 was awarded What Car?: Car of the Year 2013 in the United Kingdom.

What Car? also awarded it Small Family Car of the Year 2013.

Safety

EuroNCAP tested a third generation Audi A3, 3-door hatchback with front airbags, side airbags, seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters as standard and scored it accordingly: