Audi A3 recently received a facelift. A few weeks after the presentation of the facelift, the automaker has also brought the new Audi S3 to its debut both in Sportback and Sedan versions.
The new Audi S3 will reach Italian dealerships during the month of May with prices starting from 55,950 euros for the Sportback variant, from 57,250 euros for the Sedan.
DESIGN AND INTERIORS
Speaking of design, new Audi S3 offers a hexagonal single frame with specific texture in matte black, without a frame, larger than the previous model and characterized by the “L”-shaped inserts in matt silver. The latter finish extends to the air intakes, the mirror caps, the side window moldings and the inserts of both the side skirts and the extractor, redesigned compared to the past. Up front we also find new ones full LED headlights with Matrix technology. Furthermore, for the first time, it is possible to choose between up to four light signatures via the MMI.
At the rear, however, there are light clusters without overhangs and the new bumper. There is also a sports exhaust with two twin outlets, available on request in the variant with titanium tips. The restyling also includes the new District green, Progressive red and Ascari blue colours. Thanks to the Audi exclusive personalization program it is possible to opt for matt Daytona Gray paintwork. The new Audi S3 features 18-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels as standard depending on the trim level.
Moving on to the passenger compartment, we find the same innovations introduced on the restyling of the Audi A3, with some dedicated customizations. The transmission selector is new, similar to that of the Audi Q4 e-tron. The manufacturer then redesigned the ventilation vents and revised the internal lighting system.
The new Pro Ambient Lighting Package adds a design element to the front door panels: five backlit segments create a dynamic flow of light (customisable via the MMI) perceptible when locking and unlocking the doors.
The new Audi S3 also offers a black fabric headliner, stainless steel pedals and front door sills with aluminum inserts and illuminated S logo. The 3-spoke leather multifunction steering wheel has paddles for managing the gear shift and is characterized by the lower part of the “cut” crown. The car’s equipment also includes sports front seats with integrated headrests, partially upholstered with materials obtained from recycled PET bottles (Dinamica microfibre) and characterized by contrasting stitching and the S logo on the backrests.
Alternatively, the seats can be had with black Nappa leather seat covers with red stitching. From a technology point of view we find the digital dashboard 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus and the infotainment system with 10.1-inch touch display. The standard equipment also includes the Audi phone box light for inductive charging of the smartphone as well as four USB-C charging ports: two in correspondence with the front console and two dedicated to the rear passengers.
MOTOR
The beating heart of the new Audi S3 is a four-cylinder 2.0 TFSI whose power rises to 333 HP and 420 Nm of torque, 23 HP and 20 Nm more than before. In terms of performance, the car is capable of acceleration 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and to reach one maximum speed of 250 km/h limited electronically. The engine is combined with a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox which has been optimized to make gear changes even quicker.
The car can also count on quattro all-wheel drive and similarly to the Audi RS3 also on torque splitter technology capable of distributing torque between the rear wheels actively and in a completely variable way to the benefit of driving dynamics. The torque splitter uses two electro-hydraulic multi-plate clutches: one for each rear axle shaft.
The sports car can count on 6 driving modes. Alongside the auto, comfort, dynamic, individual and efficiency modes, there is the dynamic plus mode, thanks to which as much torque as possible is directed to the rear axle, encouraging marked oversteering behaviour.
The car adopts as standard, similarly to the previous model, progressive steering with variable gear ratio and power assistance. Compared to the past, the calibration has been refined. The standard S sports suspension lowers the ride height by 15 mm compared to the Audi A3 Sportback and Audi A3 Sedan. Audi has also revised the braking system which can now count on self-ventilating front discs with a larger diameter (357 mm) and thickness (+4 mm).
