While we wait for the arrival of the new and muscular RS 3 generation, Audi Sport introduces us to the Audi S3 Sportback and S3 Sedan , serving these as a kind of preamble to what's to come.
Livening up what is, for the time being, the sportiest version of the A3 range is a 2.0 l petrol turbo capable of delivering an already quite acceptable 310 hp and 400 Nm of torque.
The transmission is exclusively in charge of the seven-speed S tronic (double clutch) automatic transmission, which sends the 310 hp of the Audi S3 Sportback and S3 Sedan to the quattro wheels — managing the quattro system and doing it in conjunction with the ESC (stability control) and with the optional adaptive suspension is a new dynamic behavior control unit.
All of this allows the new Audi S3 Sportback and S3 Sedan to reach 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8s and reach a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited, of course).
In the dynamic chapter the S3 Sportback and S3 Sedan saw the standard suspension — independent on two axes, with multi-arm layout (4) at the rear — be lowered by about 15 mm. As an option, they can be equipped with the S sport suspension with adaptive damping.
The braking is in the hands of four ventilated discs and a new electric brake booster. The jaws are painted black as standard, and can be red as an option.
More refined and aggressive aesthetics
In the aesthetic chapter, at the front we have a specific Singleframe for the S3 and, as an option, we can count on Matrix LED headlamps. At the rear, in addition to the four tailpipes, we also have darkened taillights and a new diffuser.
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There is also the adoption of new side skirts and the fact that the emblems have lost their chrome finish in favor of a black finish. As for the standard wheels, these measure 18", and may be 19" as an option.
Finally, in the interior we have new sports seats, carbon or aluminum finishes and, of course, the flat-bottomed steering wheel could not be missing. Equipped with the modular infotainment platform MIB3, the Audi S3 Sportback and S3 Sedan can also be equipped with an (optional) head-up display.
When arrive?
With the start of pre-sales in several European countries already scheduled for this month and the delivery of the first units scheduled for October, however, we still do not have information on when the Audi S3 Sportback and S3 Sedan will arrive in Portugal, or how far they will go. to cost.
Audi, however, moved up with prices in its home market, Germany. There they start at 46 302 euros for the S3 Sportback and 47 180 euros for the S3 Sedan. In the launch phase, the limited edition “Edition one” is also available, which comes in Python Yellow (Sportback) or Tango Red (Sedan) — as you can see in the images — and has 19” wheels and leather-covered seats Nappa.