Tuesday 9th November 2004

Audi to head off Imprezas and Evos

Company hopes 330 bhp S3 will see off rice-burners

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Audi next S3 won't be called an RS3, according to this week's Autocar, but only the badge is affected: the plan is to still to produce a seriously powerful hatch.

The magazine's sources suggest that, instead of the old turbocharged four-pot 223 bhp engine in the current model (right), the next S3 will sport a narrow-angle V6 offering as much as 330 bhp.

The reports speculates that Audi's radical uprating of the car is prompted by competition from affordable and fast cars such as the Subaru Impreza and the Mitsubishi Evo, both of which are quicker and more agile than the S3.

Asa result, in addition to a new powerplant, the new car will also get a stiffer chassis -- 80 per cent stiffer, according to the report -- and an upgraded 4WD system. The system can send up to 100 per cent of the drive to the rear wheels in extreme conditions apparently.

Audi is reported as saying that the new transmission is quicker to engage and is more sensitive to road conditions.

The car is due out early in 2006.

[darren]

It may have 330hp, but it still has an air of 'conservatism' - it's not going to appeal to the same market as the WRX and Evos 'cos it needs scoops and spoilers + a large bank of after-market tuning accessories.