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Audi A3
The original A3 was
introduced in the European market in 1996,
marking Audi's return to the lower market
segments since the demise of the Audi 50.
Using the VW Golf's platform, it bears a natural
close resemblance to its contemporary, the
Golf Mk. IV. The car was initially available
only with a three-door hatchback body, in
order to present a more sporty image than
the Golf, in both front- and four-wheel drive.
All engines had a four-cylinder configuration
and were transversally mounted. The Audi A3
was the first model in the Audi lineup to
use five valves per cylinder.
In 1999, Audi expanded
the range with the introduction of an entry
level model (1.6 L), a sporty version (1.8
Turbo with 180 PS (132 kW)) and a more powerful
Diesel (1.9 TDI with pumpe-düse technology
and variable geometry turbocharger). The four-wheel-drive
A3 1.8T Quattro used either the 150 hp (110
kW) and 180 PS (132 kW) and the same Haldex-based
quattro drivetrain as the Audi S3 and the
original Audi TT. The most powerful of these
. 1999 was also the year Audi was forced to
bow to market demands and introduced a hastily
conceived five-door body, that the company
had never intended to produce.
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