The new Audi S3 Sportback & Audi S3 Saloon are here and they are the most powerful and unruly cars ever built by Audi.
Official photos and details have been released for Audi's new playful gem.
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Ever since Early Man first emerged from his cave, S3s have been heroic: desirable machines that could compress time and space with ease, wearing premium materials. That has remained the case until now, because now the stable, sensible S3 has been given the RS3's 'torque splitter' technology.
In Audi's language, it allows for "fully variable torque distribution between the rear wheels," using "an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch on each drive axle for optimal torque distribution between the rear wheel on the inside and outside of the turn."
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In human terms, this means that if you give this new S3 full throttle, for example, it will happily go sideways. This immediately makes it a fun and playful car. The 'Dynamic +' setting also increases the minimum revs on the rev counter (for better starts), increases throttle response and speeds up gear changes.
Speaking of speed, there's more power to play with this time around, with Audi tackling the 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder petrol engine with 23 more horsepower and 15 more pound-feet of torque. This results in new total figures of 328 horsepower and 310 lb ft of torque, and a new 0-100 km/h time of 4.7 seconds. Top speed is of course limited to 249 km/h.
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Both the engine and the seven-speed DSG to receive a “sportier” setting, with the latter offering shifts that are half as quick as before. Of course, like its big brother the RS3, there are a host of features to contend with, including that new ‘Dynamic +’ setting and a set of suspension and steering upgrades.
Things like stiffer ball joints and new pivot bearings, which Audi says give the S3 better handling and traction. Of course, it’s lower – 15mm – than a regular A3, and it gets special S3 tuning for stability and other systems. There are larger ventilated brake discs up front that are wedged by two-piston calipers. New brake pads, too.
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The S3 is a far cry from its understated roots, here doubling up on that new 'singleframe' grille, a new set of spoilers and bumpers and glossy details, RS-derived trim elements, square exhausts and a variety of metallic paint choices.
The S3's interior features a few changes – new air intakes, fabric upholstery, interior lighting, that sort of thing – but it's, well, two steps down from the top-of-the-line interior of the old S3. Dark, lots of screens (10.1in) and lots of apps.
As for the price? Audi has yet to release exact pricing for the new S3 Sportback and Saloon, but expect to pay around 50.000€.
Source: topgear
