New Audi S3: 310 CV in Sportback and Sedan formats

Audi continues to complete its range with the new Audi A3, now with the sporty S versions. The new Audi S3 Sportback and Audi S3 Sedan will arrive on the Spanish market in October, with a starting price of 53,900 euros for the 5-door, and 54,800 euros for the three-box version.

We recently had the opportunity to test-drive the new Audi A3 at the first drive during the national presentation. We will have to wait a little longer to drive these new sporty versions. But having experienced the new Audi A3 and its evolution over the previous generation, we can expect the same from the new S3: dynamism and premium efficiency.

The 2.0 TFSI of the new Audi S3

The new evolution of the 2.0 TFSI 4-cylinder engine produces 310 CV, 10 CV more than in the previous Audi S3. Maximum torque remains at 400 Nm. The power increase, however, does not improve the 0-100 km/h acceleration figure of the previous S3 generation: it loses a tenth, with the stopwatch stopping at 4.8 seconds in this test. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

The lightning-fast S tronic dual-clutch gearbox with seven speeds is retained, now with the new “by wire” selector. As in the rest of the range, this solution eliminates the traditional gear lever in favour of a large switch for selecting the gear positions (R, N, D and S), with manual/sequential operation only via the paddles on the steering wheel.

Audi S3 Sportback image gallery

quattro traction and sport suspension

The quattro traction as standard, with a hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch capable of variably distributing torque, promises greater efficiency thanks to the new modular system that manages the operation of the traction system, the stability control and, if fitted as an option, the electronically controlled damping.

As standard, the S sport suspension features specific settings affecting springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. Body height is reduced by 15 mm compared with the other versions. The running gear is completed by wheels that can be 18 or 19 inches, and internally ventilated brake discs (with a new electric brake booster) clamped by black-painted calipers bearing the S logo, although red calipers are available as an option.

Exterior and interior design of the new Audi S3

Externally, the new Audi S3 Sportback and S3 Sedan make it clear that these are the most performance-oriented versions of the range, at least until the arrival of the future Audi RS 3.

They do so through the enormous Audi grille with a special pattern repeated in the large air intakes, as well as a special light signature for the front light units, which can optionally be the advanced matrix LED headlights from Audi, with ten segments in groups of five forming two vertical lines.

At the rear, the large diffuser and the two dual exhaust outlets, one on each side of the body, stand out.

Moving inside, the greatest evolution in the new Audi S3 is found, with the new architecture already seen in the Audi A3. Here, the standard instrumentation includes the Audi Virtual Cockpit with the 12.5-inch screen. The multimedia system screen, with the new generation of infotainment, measures 10.1 inches.

The decorative inserts are in aluminium or carbon in this case, and the sport seats include integrated headrests and can feature contrast-coloured stitching.

Audi S3 Sedan image gallery