A3 s-tronic - when did wheel paddles become standard?

[chr15b]

As topic, i believe they used to be an option, anyone know when they became standard kit (assuming they are)

Thanks,
Chris

[drybeer]

These paddles were always standard on the A3 with DSG (or S-tronic as it is now known) from introduction in 2003.

However the previous automatic available on 1.6 and 2.0FSi petrols was called tiptronic, and on this the steering wheel mounted thumb buttons for gear change were on the front of the wheel a-la Porsche tiptronic-s, and not available as paddles.

Other VW group products like the Golf and Passat were in the main offered without paddles on DSG, and they could be added as extra.

Hope this helps.

[chr15b]

Thanks for that..

reason i asked is i'm sure i've seen quite a few on autotrader etc that are listed as dsg but from the interior pictures dont look like they have them - then you see some with them specifically in the description.

i dug out an a3 brochure from 2004, looks like from that they are standard.

[Dr G]

Drybeer is absolutely correct