The Petrol Engines

The 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine

The 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with variable intake manifold and overhead camshaft delivers 102 bhp (75 kW). The cylinder head with valves operated by roller cam followers keeps internal friction extremely low. The other engine components are also optimized for minimum friction in the interest of enhanced fuel economy.

In conjunction with the 1.6-litre engine and a 5-speed manual gearbox, the new Audi A3 uses only 7.1 liters of premium-grade fuel per 100 kilometers (overall) and is decidedly nimble at the same time. Thanks to a power output of 75 kW (102 bhp) and a torque of 148 Nm, it accelerates to 100 km/h in 11.9 seconds and achieves a top speed of 185 km/h. Its responsiveness and acoustic refinement are further arguments in favor of this ultramodern power unit: an ideal basis for the Audi A3.

The 2.0 FSI four-cylinder engine

This two-liter engine with FSI technology and petrol direct injection unit has a common rail injection system and a single-piston high-pressure injection pump. The four valves per cylinder are actuated by low-friction roller cam followers. The intake camshaft can be continuously adjusted.
The 2.0 FSI in the A3 develops an output of 110 kW (150 bhp) and a torque of 200 Nm at just 3,500 rpm. With this kind of power, the A3 2.0 FSI with 6 speed manual gearbox accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 214 km/h.
But an FSI engine is not only noted for its dynamic character, its remarkable efficiency is equally outstanding. In view of the performance figures achieved, an average consumption of just 7.2 liters of Super Plus petrol per 100 kilometers (overall) is more than impressive. The A3 2.0 FSI is available in combination with a 6-speed manual gearbox or 6 speed tiptronic.

The 3.2 V6

The most powerful engine for this model and also the sportiest petrol engine for the A3 is the four-valve V6 engine with a displacement of 3.2 liters.

Through its outstanding torque and power characteristics, this six-cylinder unit is a particularly good match for the most dynamic version of the Audi A3. It delivers a maximum output of 184 kW (250 bhp) and an impressive torque range, peaking at 320 Nm between 2,500 and 3,000 rpm.
This is just perfect for powerful pulling at all speeds as well as nimble acceleration - regardless of whether the driver opts for a 6 speed manual gearbox or the new, sporty Direct Shift Gearbox DSG.
The performance figures are correspondingly impressive: the A3 3.2 quattro with DSG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h (governed). This makes this new six-cylinder version the sportiest A3 ever.

With its cylinder angle of 15 degrees, the V6 is extremely compact - a basic requirement for installation transversely to the direction of travel. The valve control process generates only little friction thanks to the use of roller cam followers with hydraulic adjustment. In order to reduce emissions and further improve efficiency, the inlet and exhaust camshafts are continuously adjustable.
Throttle valve actuation is designed for an exceptionally agile, spontaneous engine response to accelerator pedal movements. Particularly the interaction of the engine with the ultra-fast and precise control of the new Direct Shift Gearbox DSG provides an entirely new feeling of power and performance on the road.

The A3 3.2 comes as standard with quattro permanent four-wheel drive and is available in conjunction with a 6-speed manual gearbox or, as an option, the new Direct Shift Gearbox DSG.

The TDI engines

The 2.0 TDI four-cylinder engine

There can be no doubt about it: the 2.0-litre TDI, which Audi first offered for its A3, has all the virtues of its smaller brother - high power output, superior fuel efficiency and low emissions.
A maximum output of 103 kW (140 bhp) and peak torque of 320 Nm, available between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm, make this the most powerful and dynamic four-cylinder diesel that Audi has even installed in its cars. Performance on the road is correspondingly impressive: the front-wheel-drive 2.0 TDI with 6-speed manual gearbox accelerates to 100 km/h in just 9.5 seconds and continues briskly on up to its top speed of 207 km/h. It goes without saying that this model is economical, consuming 5.5 liters of diesel per 100 km.

In terms of design, this power unit is distinguished from its 1.9-litre counterpart not only by its larger capacity, but above all by its cylinder head.

Two overhead camshafts and low-friction roller cam followers with hydraulic valve-play compensation help to optimize the valve management process. The pump-injector units are operated by roller rockers running on the exhaust camshaft. Another feature of the 2.0 TDI is the rapid-starting diesel system allowing the driver to start the engine immediately in all outside temperatures, without a long preheating process.

The A3 2.0 TDI comes with front-wheel drive in combination with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The top-of-the-range diesel model is also available optionally with quattro permanent four-wheel drive or the Direct Shift Gearbox DSG. Audi offers a diesel particulate filter as an option for front-wheel-drive versions of the 2.0 TDI.

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