Celebrate 30 Years of Audi Tradition

30 Years of the Audi A3

A Legacy Begins: The Birth of the Audi A3

It all began in 1996, when Audi unveiled the first A3 to the world. Positioned as a premium compact car, the A3 bought the craftmanship, technology, and driving dynamics typically found only in larger, more expensive vehicles into a smaller package. Designed and developed in Ingolstadt, Germany, the Audi A3 marked Audi’s return to the compact class after nearly two decades and helped establish what would become one of its most successful model families.

At the “Mondial de L’Automobile” in Paris, Audi presented the A3 in 1996, a compact car that used the platform of the VW Golf IV, which wouldn’t be launched until the following year. Initially, the A3 was available exclusively as a three-door hatchback in three equipment types - “Attraction,” “Ambition,” and “Ambiente.” With four different petrol and diesel engines, many of the variants could also be ordered with all-wheel drive.

The A3 is a compact premium car made by Audi. In simple terms, it’s one of Audi’s smallest and most affordable models, designed to offer the brand’s luxury, technology, and performance in a smaller, everyday-friendly size.

Why the Audi A3 Matters Today

Three decades on, the A3’s influence stretches far beyond its original segment. It helped pave the way for Audi’s compact strategy - a strategy that now includes electrified offerings, advanced driver assistance systems, and a design language that balances elegance and sportiness.

Whether you’re an Audi aficionado, a proud A3 owner, or simply a fan of automotive history, the 30th anniversary of the Audi A3 is a moment worth celebrating - a testament to enduring appeal, constant innovation, and a legacy that continues to thrive.

25 Years of the First Audi Twelve-Cylinder Engine in the Audi A8

Commemorating yet another landmark, Audi recognise the introduction of their first Twelve-Cylinder Engine that was put into the Audi A8. This achievement marked Audi’s arrival at the very top of the luxury sedan segment and demonstrated the brand’s ability to combine refinement, performance, and advanced engineering at the highest level.

A New Benchmark for the Flagship Sedan

When Audi introduced a Twelve-Cylinder powerplant to the A8, it was more than an increase in cylinder count - it was a statement. The Audi A8 had already established itself as a modern luxury flagship through its lightweight aluminum construction and understand design. The addition of a W12 engine elevated the model into an exclusive class previously dominated by long-established competitors. The Twelve-Cylinder engine delivered exceptional smoothness and effortless power, perfectly suited to the A8’s role as a long-distance luxury sedan. Paired with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system, it offered confident performance in all conditions while maintaining comfort and composure.

A Rare & Influential Chapter

The Twelve-Cylinder Audi A8 was produced in limited numbers, making it a rare and respected chapter in Audi history. It demonstrated the brand’s technical capability and reinforced the A8’s position as a true flagship model. Today, Audi Tradition celebrates this milestone as a reminder of a time when engineering ambition and luxury refinement came together in one of the most exclusive Audi road cars ever built.

What else are Audi Celebrating?

45 Years Since the Audi Research Car (1991):

In 1978, the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology launched a research program aimed at promoting the development of motor vehicles with regard to energy and raw material savings as well as environmental compatibility. Audi participated in this project as one of three German automobile manufacturers.

Death Anniversary August Horch - 75 Years Ago:

The son of a blacksmith, Dr. August Horch was born on 12 October 1868 in Winningen on the Moselle River. After completing his craft training, years of travel, and studies at the Technical College in Mittweida, Horch joined Carl Benz in Mannheim in 1896, where he accompanied and helped shape the early days of automobile construction as head of Motor Vehicle Production Department until 1899. In the same year, he set up his own small repair workshop for motor vehicles in Cologne. In 1901, he built his first automobile of his own design. In 1902, he relocated his company to Reichenbach in the Vogtland region, moving again two years later to establish the final location of the Horch works in Zwickau.

In 1909, after a serious dispute, August Horch left the company he had founded and only a few weeks later established a second automobile factory, which in 1910 he named “Audi,” the Latin translation of his family name. In 1920, he resigned from his position as a member of the board of Audiwerke AG in order to work as an assessor and expert in the field of automotive engineering. When Auto Union AG was founded in June 1932, August Horch was appointed to the supervisory board of the new corporation. On 3 February 1951, Dr. August Horch passed away in Munchberg in Upper Franconia, where he had found refuge after the end of the war.