THE fourth-generation Audi S3 will price $69,900 earlier than on-roads for the Sportback hatch and $2500 further for the sedan once they hit Australian showrooms early subsequent yr.
Along with its beefed-up engine that develops 228kW and 400Nm – up 15kW/20Nm on its predecessor and approaching the 250kW/450Nm of the primary RS3 from a decade in the past – the brand new S3 will come comprehensively outfitted in return for respective value upticks of $5700 and $6600 over the outgoing S3 Sportback and sedan.
Regardless of the worth rise, Audi has managed to undercut – and barely out-punch – the Mercedes-AMG A35 (225kW/400Nm) by $1676 in hatchback configuration and simply $824 as a sedan.
However each Audi and Benz are made to look a bit costly and missing in torque by the BMW M135i Pure that packs 225kW/450Nm from $65,900 earlier than on-roads or its sedan equal, the M235i Pure Gran Coupe at $70,900.
Audi has, nevertheless, set the German premium sizzling hatch precedent given its S3 opponents now have customary all-wheel drive.
The S3’s redesigned dashboard homes a ten.1-inch touchscreen powered by {hardware} packing ten instances the computing energy of the outdated unit and a 15-speaker premium Bang & Olufsen sound system by way of which audio will be sourced from digital radio, Bluetooth or USB streaming through the Audi smartphone interface, or wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity.
A regular 12.3-inch customisable digital instrument panel is now customary and features a distinctive S Efficiency show format in addition to particular layouts when driving in Dynamic or Sport modes.
The additional computing horsepower gives 3D navigation mapping with pure speech recognition, free textual content search with predictive vacation spot solutions and pre-programming through the myAudi or Google Maps smartphone apps plus dwell visitors, hazard, parking, gas pricing and climate info.
If all this turns into too distracting, the checklist of lively security and driver help options within the new S3 is lengthy, beginning with the usual inclusion of adaptive Matrix LED headlights.
New to the mannequin are pedestrian and bike owner detection for the ahead collision warning and autonomous emergency braking system, whereas different options embody lane departure and lane change warning, rear cross-traffic alert and assisted parking, adaptive cruise with visitors jam and emergency help, exit warning and tyre strain monitoring.
Embedded on-line companies allow distant automotive discovering, distant lock/unlock, emergency calling and on-line roadside help. The S3 will even coach the motive force into fuel-saving habits – presumably when they aren’t fanging it.
Speaking of which, the brand new S3 will crack triple digits from relaxation in 4.8 seconds, in line with Audi, once more coming near that pioneering RS3 that did the dash in 4.6s, whereas mixed gas consumption is rated at 7.4 litres/100km for the Sportback and seven.3L/100km for the slipperier sedan.
All this efficiency comes courtesy of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that delivers a peak torque band that lasts from 2000-5450rpm and peak energy that takes over from there till 6500rpm – the additional outputs liberated by a reclassification of Australia’s local weather by Audi’s Volkswagen Group mother or father firm.
The snappy seven-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission additionally aids acceleration, sending drive by way of an upgraded quattro all-wheel-drive system to every of the 19-inch alloy wheels with 234/35 tyres.
Behind these rims – a five-spoke Y-arm design in matte titanium end or 5 double spokes in anthracite black for $300 further – are 340mm ventilated entrance brake rotors and 312mm rear discs with gloss crimson callipers.
The S3’s elevated efficiency has coincided with a departure from the street-sleeper type of earlier fashions, which have been extra refined in speaking their efficiency intent.
Within the brighter of eight out there paint finishes, gaping air intakes and slash-like sculpting of brake cooling ducts within the entrance bumper – particularly when optioned with the $1500 non-compulsory black pack – give the brand new S3 a snarlier look than any of its predecessors.
With a 15mm suspension drop in comparison with an everyday A3, the S3’s customary adaptive dampers and sports activities springs promise a broad vary of adjustment between cruising consolation and fast-road precision between the 5 drive modes (effectivity, consolation, auto, dynamic and particular person).
No matter driving mode, the donor A3’s barely bigger general dimensions present S3 occupants with a bit extra elbow room entrance and rear, whereas a brand new and decrease entrance seat place provides to this variant’s sporty theme.
To this finish, chrome steel pedals, S emblem on the seats and steering wheel – the latter with paddle-shifters – in addition to darkish aluminium trim highlights, an anthracite color scheme with distinction stitching and 30-colour ambient lighting mark the S3’s inside out as belonging to a member of the Audi Sport line-up.
A brand new design of sports activities entrance seat contains heating and four-way electrical lumbar help adjustment and by way of practicalities, the Sportback variant gives a 325-litre boot with 40:20:40 split-folding rear-seat backrests that increase load quantity to 1145L with all of them stowed.
A pre-paid five-year servicing plan will price $2580 and a Premium Plus tools improve pack – value not but confirmed – will change into out there after launch.
2022 Audi S3 pricing*
Sportback (a) | $69,900 |
Sedan (a) | $72,400 |
*Excludes on-road prices
