In 1996, Audi presented the first generation A3 three-door hatchback. Three years later, a five-door model entered the market, and sales of the "charged" version of the S3 began at the same time.
In 2000, the troika underwent a small update. After that, in Ingolstadt, production of the hatchback lasted until 2003, and in Brazil - until 2006. In total, the Germans produced 880 thousand copies of this machine.
The "first" Audi A3 is built on a Volkswagen AG bogie called the PQ34. The C-class hatchback has the following body dimensions: length - 4152 mm, height - 1427 mm, width - 1735 mm (regardless of the body version). The wheelbase of the car fully complies with the class canons - 2513 mm, but the ground clearance is quite modest - 140 mm.
For the first generation A3 hatchback, a wide range of engines was offered. The most affordable is the 1.6-liter unit with 101 horsepower. A more powerful 1.8-liter engine has five valves per cylinder, in the atmospheric version it produces 125 horsepower, and in the case of a turbocharger - 150 or 180 "horses". There were "troikas" in the engine range and 1.9-liter turbodiesels generating from 90 to 130 horsepower.
Engines are combined with a manual transmission for five or six gears, or a 4- or 5-speed "automatic".
Traction was transmitted to the front wheels, but there were also four-wheel drive versions.
The design of the front suspension on the "first" Audi A3 is represented by an independent scheme with MacPherson struts, and the rear - by a dependent multi-link arrangement. All wheels are equipped with brake discs, supplemented with ventilation at the front.
The A3 hatchback of the first generation is distinguished by its attractive (still) appearance, good handling, economical engines (the most productive options provide excellent dynamics), overall structural reliability, high-quality interior, decent equipment, comfortable suspension and a high level of ergonomics.
But it was not without its drawbacks - this is a modest ground clearance, an insufficient supply of space for passengers in the second row of seats and a small luggage compartment.
