New S3 models revealed

It becomes immediately apparent as soon as you lay your eyes on the new Audi S3 Sedan and Sportback that these two have spent significant time in the gym. The new styling has taken the already sharper and more curvaceous A3 Sportback or A3 Sedan and put them on a high protein diet and strict regimen of heavy weights and low reps.

The result is arresting styling that is more muscular and athletic from every angle, from the vastly more aggressive front end – complete with distinctive headlight treatment and strong angular Singleframe treatment – to the sculpted rear.

Perhaps most dramatic is the treatment along the flanks, where the strong inward curve along the bottom of the doors accentuates the wheel arches more than ever, giving that ‘coiled ready to spring’ look to the rear quarters. 

Both the S3 Sedan and Sportback are larger than their predecessors, the Sportback having frown three centimetres in length and the Sedan four centimetres. Both are three centimetres wider than before and this translates to more shoulder and elbow room inside each model as well as giving there AS3 Sportback 325 litres of luggage space (1145 litres with the rear seats folded down) and a significant 370 litres for the Sedan.

There are of course the familiar ’S’ design elements, from the aluminium-look wing mirrors (pictured here with the exterior black treatment) and classic S quad exhausts, but these new S3 models represents a significant step up in terms of power and appointment over their predecessors.

Exact specification for Australia will not be announced until closer to local launch here in the second half of next year, but both will be powered by a 2.0 TFSI producing 228kW of power and 400Nm of torque. That’s up 15kW and 20Nm on the previous model, and, mated to a seven-speed S tronic transmission with power down to all four wheels via quattro, equates to the standard 0 to 100km/h sprint of 4.8 seconds with a limited top speed of 250km/h. Serious performance.

Clever technology abounds in then new S3 models, like the Audi valvelift system (AVS) which which varies the lift of the intake valves depending on engine load for greater efficiency. The driver can also ‘dial up’ the sound of the engine via the Audi Drive select, with actuators in the exhaust amplifying the performance engine note.

Ride and handling too have been revised in the new S3 which sits 15mm lower than the A3 on tuned sports suspension. Customers will be able to opt for the even more dynamic S sport suspension with damper control which allows greater control over damping for improved ride and responsiveness in all conditions. Progressive steering is standard equipment and the new modular dynamic handling control closely links the quattro drive to the Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) and the dampers of the S sport suspension.  

Rolling stock is 18-inch alloy wheels (19-inch are available as an option), while the traditionally red S brake callipers are finished in black on the new models – although traditionalists can opt to go with red.

Inside the sport seats have been newly developed, and their standard series upholstery is largely made from recycled PET bottles, accentuated by stylish contrasting stitching. Cabin inlays are in either aluminium or carbon-fibre and there is the now familiar touchscreen control system that incorporates a 10.1-inch infotainment system and 10.25-inch virtual cockpit. The latter can be optioned up to the Audi virtual cockpit plus which includes three different screen treatments and customers can also opt for the heads-up display to keep eyes on the road. 

The ambient lighting package plus allows the interior feel to be changed to suit your mood while voice control can be used to operate internal systems such as the infotainment which includes the Bang & Olufsen premium sound system with 3D sound.

The new S3 models are of course completely connected to their environment, with LTE Advanced speed and integrated Wi-Fi hotspot.

Navigation offers predictions on the development of the traffic situation, high-resolution satellite images from Google Earth, and information about the traffic flow. Individual settings, such as frequently selected destinations or air conditioning preferences, can be stored in up to six user profiles. 

The Audi connect online services also include car-to-X services and the S3s feature Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the Audi phone box – which links the device to the vehicle’s antenna and charges it inductively. 

Although Australian pricing and exact vehicle specification will not be announced until closer to local launch next year, expect the safety and drivers assistance systems to likewise be extensive.