.

.
March 05, 2003
.
This Week:

• The Chrysler Brand Enhances its Expressive Line-up in Geneva

• SAAB Debuts All-New 2004 9-3 Convertible

• Highlights of the New Porsche Carrera GT 

• Audi A3 - Trendsetter on the home straight

• Phaeton V10 TDI with 313-bhp ten-cylinder turbocharged diesel - World Premiere at the Geneva Motor Show

• World Premiere of the Show Car "Cinema 7D" presented by EDAG Engineering + Design AG

• MINI One D - Plant Oxford's latest edition and world premiere

• New Nissan Micra wins 2003 European Automotive Design Award at Geneva Motor Show

• Carlos Ghosn completes global launch of Nissan 350z at Geneva Motor Show

• Renault will produce an entirely new vehicle in Russia as of 2005

© 1998 - 2003 Copyright & 
Disclaimer
Automotive Intelligence,
www.autointell.com
All Rights Reserved .
For questions please contact
editor@autointell.com  

.
Audi A3 - Trendsetter on the home straight

Photo: Audi
 

Ingolstadt - Over 870,000 of this model have already left the production lines in Ingolstadt and Györ, with the German market accounting for sales of around 360,000 of this total. There's no doubt that the success of the Audi A3 has exceeded all expectations. The model that created the premium compact segment is now making a final spurt before it goes out of production. The last specimens of the first-generation A3 will be built until the middle of May, 2003. The A3's attractive equipment packages are one of the main reasons for its enduring appeal. "Professional Line Electronic" and "Professional Line Premium" include an array of highly popular options such as automatic air conditioning, cast alloy wheels and an audio system at a very persuasive price.

Even in its eighth year in production, the A3's pioneering design remains the overriding reason why people opt for this model. With its combination of sportiness, uncomplicated precision and timeless elegance, its styling has remained compellingly appealing, as recent national and international design awards have proven. The best example is the much-acclaimed "Federal Award for Product Design" in 1998.

The A3 has moreover garnered numerous prizes in recognition of its product qualities. The 1996 "Golden Steering Wheel", the "Best Cars" reader poll staged by auto motor und sport in 1997 and the "Sportiest Car" (1999) by sport auto are just three awards from the impressively long roll of honour.

As well as these distinctions, the numerous imitators which subsequently appeared in the compact segment highlight the A3's status as a trendsetter. With its exclusive equipment and an unparalleled range of powerful engines, the compact Ingolstadt-built model enjoyed a unique market position upon its début, and for quite some time thereafter, too.

It continues to dominate its segment and has remained the market leader among premium compact cars. In the category of compact models above 110 kW, it out?sells its nearest challenger by almost ten percent.

The high installation rates for high-performance engines reflect how widely the A3 has become accepted as an ultra-sporty car. For example, at present more than half of all A3s are ordered with an engine developing 96 kW or more - a statistic that is way ahead of the installation rates achieved by other competitors in the compact class.

The A3 was the first and - for quite some time - only representative of the compact class to be available with quattro permanent four-wheel drive. This drive principle is ordered by a notable ten percent of A3 customers, a decision that benefits dynamic handling and driving safety in equal measure.

Last but not least, the enduring success of the A3, which is available as 2-door and 4-door versions, is reflected by its minimal loss in value on the used car market. According to an analysis by the Eurotax Schwacke Automobile Index, the A3 is the car with the most stable value in the entire compact class. The average residual value of a two-year-old A3 is an impressive 75 percent of its original new price.

The 2-door version of the A3's successor is already waiting in the wings: it will be making its public début in a few weeks' time at the Geneva Motor Show, before going on sale in May 2003.

(February 26, 2003)