Rapid new Audi S3 joins the line-up
● 306bhp model on sale now ● Hatch and saloon available
AUDI has revealed the new S3 – the first of two hot versions of the German firm’s latest compact hatchback and saloon. Now packing 306bhp, the S3 competes with the Volkswagen Golf R, Honda Civic Type R and Mercedes-AMG A 35. As ever, a five-cylinder RS 3 superhatch will crown the A3 line-up, but it won’t be revealed until 2021.
Like the last S3, the newcomer will be offered in hatchback and saloon bodystyles, although in common with the rest of the A3 range, there’s just a five-door Sportback on offer, with no three-door variant.
Under the bonnet, the new S3 sticks with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which now develops slightly more power than before, with a maximum claimed output of 306bhp and 400Nm of torque.
Those are increases of 10bhp and 20Nm respectively, but Audi’s claim of 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds is the same as the outgoing car, and its top speed is still electronically limited to 155mph. As such, performance improvements have been found elsewhere, chiefly during in-gear acceleration. A sevenspeed twin-clutch S tronic gearbox sends drive to all four wheels via the standard quattro system (there’s no manual gearbox option). Audi claims 39.2mpg fuel economy, with CO2 emissions of 178g/km.
The S3’s suspension is 15mm lower than the standard A3’s, while adaptive dampers are available as an option. They’ll be standard fit on high-spec Vorsprung versions of the hot hatch, which come to the UK not long after launch.
From the outside, the S3 is subtly sportier-looking than S line versions of the A3. There’s gloss black detailing on the grille and low-set air vents at the front