Audi A3 (Germany, 2003-2012)

The second generation of the Audi A3, the Typ 8P, was launched at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. This generation was designed by Walter da Silva and was originally launched only as a three-door hatchback. It featured a new automobile platform (the PQ35 platform).

In June 2004 Audi unveiled the Sportback version of the Audi A3. It  was 80 mm (3 in) longer than the base three-door body and received the new "single frame" front grille originally introduced in the A8 W12.

In 2008 the Cabriolet version, codenamed 8P7 was introduced.

The second generation Audi A3 has been offered with several types of petrol and diesel engines. Throughout the years they have been combined with five different transmissions: 5-speed Manual, 6-speed Manual, 6-speed Automatic, 6-speed S-Tronic and 7-speed S-Tronic.

2004

For 2004 an updated single-frame grille was presented together with the launch of the five-door Avant model. This new grille also became standard in the three-door variant design.

2008

In 2008 Audi introduced a number of changes to the A3 and S3, which included revised nose and tail styling, with a modified grille and the new "trademark" daytime running lights, common rail 2.0 TDI engines, seven-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission availability for smaller engines, and optional "magnetic ride" adaptive shock absorbers. The S3 Avant was also added to the German brand lineup that year.

S3

The second generation S3 arrived on August 2006. The model was offered in both three- and five-door body styles and was powered by a modified and enhanced Volkswagen Group-sourced 2.0-litre turbocharged FSI petrol engine, with a maximum output of 195 kW (265 PS; 261 bhp). The design of the S3 was responsability of quattro GmbH, as with all Audi S models.

RS3

The RS3 Sportback was unveiled in November 2010 and entered production in 2011. It was powered by a 5 cylinder, 2.5 litre 340 metric horsepower (250 kW; 340 hp) engine, paired with a seven-speed S-Tronic transmission, and the Quattro on-demand four-wheel drive system. The Audi RS 3 is only available in a five-door Sportback version and no manual transmission option.

(2009) Green Car Journal's Green Car of the Year for 2010 (TDI Model)
(2009) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick in midsize cars for 2010 model year
(2008) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick in midsize cars
(2007) Audi 2.0T FSI named International Engine of the Year (1.8L – 2.0L category)
(2006) Audi A3 listed in Car and Driver's 10Best list
(2006) International Car of the Year Entry-Level Car of the Year – “Most Spirited”
(2006) Auto Interior of the Year in popular-priced category
(2006) Named overall best New England Winter Vehicle by the New England Motor Press Association
(2006) Best Luxury Small Car Pick by BusinessWeek Magazine
(2006) South African Car of the Year
(2005) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Double Best Pick for frontal-offset and side-impact tests
(2000) Brazilian Car of the Year
(1998) Federal German Prize for Product Design
(1997, 1999, 2000) Auto Motor und Sport readers' poll Best Car award
(1997) Autozeitung "Auto Trophy" award
(1996) Bild am Sonntag "Golden Steering Wheel" award