New Audi S3 unveiled with 333hp
Modest design tweaks mask significant chassis upgrades - including the RS3's torque-splitting rear diff
It was only a couple of months ago when Audi showed off near-production-ready versions of the facelifted S3 Sportback and Sedan, thinly veiled in grey and orange camouflage. So thin, in fact, that anyone familiar with the basics of Photoshop could probably figure out what the final versions would look like by simply colouring the car in. But if that sounds like too much of a faff, then you're in luck: Audi has finally removed the wrapping and, crucially, added some flesh to the S3's production-ready bones.
Park the new model next to its predecessor and you’d probably struggle to spot the difference. Audi says it’s targeted a ‘progressive’ look for the refreshed S3, with changes to both the hatch and saloon including a new single-frame grille with L-shaped flicks integrated into the vents and a less-fussy solution for the brake duct design. The shape of the diffuser has also been tweaked with two defined channels in the centre, and there’s the obligatory change to the front LEDs, which now feature four customisable light signatures. It’s a little beefier in some areas and more restrained in others, although arguably the real letdown is the loss of the Sport Quattro-style trio of vents that formally ran below the leading edge of the bonnet.
Thankfully, it gets a lot more exciting when you lift up the bonnet and learn what's underneath. Audi has already confirmed that the S3’s 2.0-litre TFSI engine has been dialled up to 333hp and 310lb ft of torque (a 23hp and 15lb ft lift over its predecessor), bringing it in line with the VW Golf R 20 Years edition and oh-so-nearly the original 8P RS3’s output. It’s a tenth quicker to 62mph than the old car at 4.7 seconds, while engine response has been sharpened up with upgrades to the turbocharger, which can maintain a constant rpm under low-to-medium acceleration, and the throttle valve that now remains open on the overrun. Crucially, though, the old model’s slightly dopey seven-speed DSG has been reworked, with shift times halved under full load and a ‘higher starting torque’ (which seems to be a 200rpm idle increase in dynamic mode) for even more rapid off-the-line performance.
Moreover, the S3 now gains the electronic rear torque splitter differential from the RS3 and Golf R Performance Pack. Coupled with it is a new dynamic plus mode that can ‘send as much drive torque’ to the outside rear wheel which, as Audi puts it: ‘results in a tendency to oversteer.’ Marvellous. Aside from the trick electronics, the company says it’s worked on improving mechanical grip with stiffer bearings for the wishbone suspension and an increase in negative camber. All cars come with S sport suspension, lowering the ride height by 15mm, while adaptive dampers are available on range-topping Vorsprung cars. And then there are the brakes, which have increased by 4mm up front with gargantuan 357mm steel discs.
Inside, the cabin is mostly the same as before, only this time you’ll be able to see more of it. There’s an extended ambient lighting package that now illuminates the centre console and cup holders, the latter being a real game-changer for the accident-prone. Finding the armrest on the inside of the door has been made easier thanks to new cloth trim with 300 laser cuts for the ambient lighting to poke through, and there’s a new drive selector that, you’ve guessed it, is also illuminated.
Finally, there’s a selection of new colours to choose from including Ascari Blue, District Green and Progressive Red, while Daytona Grey can be specced with a matte finish for the first time. Pricing for the S3 Fastback and Saloon hasn’t been announced just yet, nor do we know how much it’ll cost to spec the adaptive dampers and optional titanium Akrapovic sports exhaust. All will be revealed when the order books open next month, although we'd suggest bracing yourself to pay a bit more than the current S3’s £44,720 asking price when the time comes.
The interior, however, is a real letdown. Some very hard and cheap feeling plastic around the air vents. I drove a basic A3 30 for a week and apart from the amazing economy for a petrol engine (66mpg!), it left me cold.
Oh, and it’s black inside. But don’t worry. It has an altimeter. Seriously. I love that gadget!
Hopefully there are noticeable improvements in handling because when is that ever not a good thing.
Would have liked the interior to get a bit more love as it is a bit cheap for what you’d expect in an Audi but isn’t a major offence.
Good looking car still in either shape.
Is this different to the Golf R? Genuinely interested in potential differences between the Audi and the VW (if any) in the chassis department.
They are actually very similar in the way they drive however the Audi has nicer seats and is a bit louder, the Golf feels subdued compared to the Audi.
Is this different to the Golf R? Genuinely interested in potential differences between the Audi and the VW (if any) in the chassis department.
Odd how in years passed 3-boxed hatchbacks were deemed to be something desperately tragic - strictly for aging types with very conservative views on the cat body hierarchy. Somehow that time has passed (they're all driving crossovers) and we've lost that perception...
My knee-jerk response to Clarkson, whenever he inevitably mentioned scratchy plastics on TG, was to tell him to cut his nails.
...I understand that TV is a one-directional medium and he couldn't hear me
Its a quality, 333 bhp, 4wd saloon or hatch, imagine its a lovely thing to own and drive. I think where they perhaps can be a bit ultimately lacking a bit of interaction, they make up for it in being great in other areas.
My thinking is, its a quick and easy to live with daily for those into cars, or an enthusiast car for those that arent perhaps full on car fiends, it being very easy to drive very quickly without a great deal required of the driver.
How they appeal to scratters does put me off a little though, its one of those cars that unless you are buying new, direct from Audi or have a very clear picture of the prior ownership, its quite possibly stolen, clocked, ringed, ragged, badly modified, crash repaired, stolen or has some dodgy backstory, it looking shiny on a sales pitch is no guarantee. My mates Golf GTI got nicked, someone bought it and took it into VW where they found out it wasnt what they thought it was, and as far as we know lost the car as it was owned by the insurance company.
I had a new 2015 S3 Saloon with a manual gearbox, and while not the greatest car in the world for handling, it was an excellent daily all rounder. As a comparison to my old Impreza STI, the S3 was in a different league for refinement, with a much stronger engine. Just lacked the handling.
I'm sure this new car will be faster than ever, and handle better than every. But that interior is awful, and lack of manual option is just a no go for me, personally.
My knee-jerk response to Clarkson, whenever he inevitably mentioned scratchy plastics on TG, was to tell him to cut his nails.
...I understand that TV is a one-directional medium and he couldn't hear me
My knee-jerk response to Clarkson, whenever he inevitably mentioned scratchy plastics on TG, was to tell him to cut his nails.
...I understand that TV is a one-directional medium and he couldn't hear me
In contrast I had a 2023 VW Tiguan as a loan car a few months back, and pretty much everything in that inside was horrible scratchy plastic in comparison, and they aren't exactly cheap cars to buy in fairness either. That car inside did come as a bit of a shock to me for a modern car for sure.
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