Sportback - too posh for a hatchback?
Audi has unveiled an S3 Sportback as part of an update to the A3 range.
The front of the standard S3 has been freshened up with the now run-of-the-mill LED running lights.
There is a different tailgate which uses fibre optic rods to make it look all fancy.
The standard A3 also gets a new front and inside there are new fabrics for the seats, and the ICE controls have been given a new look.
The diesel versions of the A3 have been reworked to include an updated fuel injection system and all engines are now available with the S tronic transmission.
The 1.6, 1.4 TFSI and 1.8 TFSI engines can be paired with a newly developed seven-speed version.
The A3 can also now be specced with Audi’s clever adaptive-action shock absorber control (Audi magnetic ride) and the driver can choose between 'Normal' and 'Sport' programs by flipping a switch.
A magneto-rheological (uh?) fluid circulating in the shock absorbers changes its flow properties within milliseconds when a voltage is applied; changing the damping characteristics.
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 4 3"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1 1"%3E%3C/svg%3E)