One millionth 2nd generation Audi A3 built

INGOLSTADT, GERMANY - Audi has already produced more than one million units of its current-generation Audi A3 since 2003. The anniversary car has now rolled off the production line at the factory in Ingolstadt. It is a Brilliant Red, 140 hp 2.0 TDI Audi A3 Sportback intended for a customer in Franconia, Germany. In fact, more than 1.9 million units of the world’s first premium model in the compact class have been manufactured and delivered to customers since the market launch of the Audi A3 in 1996.

“Its outstanding premium quality makes the Audi A3 a convincing competitor in its class, and it has played a key role in redefining the compact class,” notes Frank Dreves, Member of the Board of Management for Production of AUDI AG. 230,849 units of the Audi A3 were produced in 2007, with the Sportback accounting for 68.9 percent of this total. With its steady production growth, the A3 continues to remain in the success lane, playing a major role in achieving Audi’s twelfth record financial results in succession.

Each day, more than 800 units of the Audi A3 roll off the production line in Ingolstadt and are sold to customers throughout the world. Production of the Audi A3 began in Ingolstadt in 1996. The second generation of this compact-class model has been in production since June 2003, with the five-door A3 Sportback being added in 2004.

Since 2007, the Audi A3 Sportback has additionally been assembled at the new Audi plant in Brussels. And now rolling to the starting line right in time for the spring is the Audi A3 Cabriolet, which is manufactured at the Audi plant in Györ, Hungary.

Five different gasoline engines ranging from 75 kW (102 hp) to 195 kW (265 hp) and three TDI diesel engines are available in the Audi A3 and S3; the A3 Cabriolet is available in two different gasoline and two different diesel versions. From the entry-level gasoline powerplant, the 75 kW (102 hp) 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, right through to the S3 2.0 T quattro, the top-of-the-line A3 engine with a power output of 195 kW (265 hp), the Audi A3 is setting the standards in the compact class. The diesel-powered A3 1.9 TDI e unites dynamics and efficiency. Yet its fuel consumption stands at an excellent 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers (52.27 mpg), with low CO2 emissions of 119 grams per kilometer.