OVERVIEW
Slotting between the common A3 and hot-shot RS3, the S3 scorching hatch now has added firepower and added perspective as a part of a 2025 improve.
Key to that may be a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine now making 245kW and 420Nm, 17kW/20Nm greater than earlier than.
That’s sufficient to launch each sedan and hatch (or Sportback) physique kinds to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds, a modest 0.1 second enchancment.
The engine additionally advantages from the addition of one other drive mode – Dynamic+ – as a part of software program tweaks with this refresh.
Drive is channelled to all 4 wheels by way of Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system and a seven-speed S-tronic twin-clutch automated transmission.
However the brand new S3 additionally picks up extra track-focused {hardware} within the type of the torque splitter rear differential.
Beforehand reserved for the warmer RS3 (and the Volkswagen Golf R that shares a lot of its {hardware} with the S3), the extra superior manner of apportioning drive between the rear wheels is all about upping the tempo, poise and driver involvement.
Priced from $78,800 plus on-road prices for the Sportback or one other $3000 for the sedan, the S3 prices $24,000 greater than the common A3 it shares its physique with.
Just like the common A3 the S3 sedan and Sportback include a digital instrument cluster, sensible key entry, tri-zone air flow, parking sensors entrance and rear, wi-fi telephone charging, heated entrance seats, adaptive cruise management and a collection of energetic security techniques, together with blind spot warning, exit warning and energetic lane help.
However the S3 variants additionally additionally choose up extra gear, together with 19-inch alloys, matrix LED headlights, a 15-speaker Sonos 3D unit with distinctive aluminium speaker grilles, energy adjustable entrance seats and the power to vary the color of the ambient lighting.
Seats are trimmed in Nappa leather-based as a part of a trim improve that additionally incorporates extra matte metallic exterior highlights – together with the mirror caps – and pink brake callipers.
The aggressive quad exhaust system is the complete cease on the design bundle.
There are additionally adaptive dampers and firmer sport suspension that rides 15mm decrease, including to the extra aggressive stance.
Numerous choices for the S3 embrace a $1450 Launch Version Package deal that brings distinctive five-spoke alloys, carbon sprint inlays, tinted home windows, black exterior design highlights and the projection of the S emblem on the bottom.
A $5850 Carbon Package deal will get most of these upgrades in addition to extra carbon highlights exterior, together with the mirror caps and spoiler.
The $3300 Premium Plus Package deal provides a head-up show, panoramic sunroof and reminiscence capabilities for the motive force’s seat and mirrors.
The black exterior fashion pack will also be optioned by itself for $1560 and is anticipated to be taken up by most consumers.
There’s additionally an optionally available Akrapovic titanium exhaust for one more $9900.
The S3 requires servicing each 12 months or 15,000km and a pre-paid service pack overlaying the primary 5 check-ups prices $2890.
DRIVE IMPRESSIONS
Appears to be like aren’t every thing and the true fantastic thing about the up to date Audi S3 lurks deep beneath the unchanged sheetmetal.
Whereas the design of this 2025 replace has been freshened it’s now nearer than ever to the A3 it’s primarily based on.
Blame it on the step-up within the common A3 – not in efficiency, however in sporty aesthetics.
The A3 now comes customary with the S Line styling equipment that provides visible pizazz.
A lot of that equipment is shared with the S3.
Positive, there are variations, essentially the most notable of that are the brand new grille and bumpers, the decrease outer sections of the entrance bumpers within the S3 together with useful ducts for added cooling. The pink brakes of the S3 and matte finishes additionally sharpen the aesthetics.
And from behind there’s a quartet of exhausts that immediately talks to its go-fast intent.
The two.0-litre four-cylinder turbo was by no means undernourished however we haven’t met a driving fanatic who doesn’t welcome extra punch.
The 245kW and 420Nm properly lives as much as the recent hatch moniker.
There’s nice thrust low within the rev vary and the joy builds as revs rise.
On the top-end it’s pulling strongly and is troublesome to envisage too many circumstances whenever you’d want extra on the street.
Our automotive had the optionally available Akrapovic exhaust that provides a sharper, crackling soundtrack.
I’m unsure I’d be slapping down nearly $10K to tweak the noise of what’s already a purposeful-sounding automotive, however there will probably be some that little doubt crave the differentiation.
Cruising on a freeway it could grumble in its loudest mode, but it surely’s simple sufficient to quieten within the drive mode settings; you can even set an Particular person mode that permits adjustment of steering, drivetrain, suspension and exhaust independently.
And there’s extra to decide on, too, with the 2025 S3.
Choose Dynamic+ to carry onto gears longer and sharpen the shifts.
It’s finest left to most assaults, though the upper 1300rpm idle velocity (with delicate turbo pre-load) helps it hop off the road faster by getting the engine nearer to its candy spot.
The seven-speed twin-clutch auto is slick shifting and dishes up nicely spaced ratios.
And being an Audi efficiency mannequin it continues to drive all 4 wheels as a part of the model’s quattro all-wheel drive system.
The addition of the trickier rear differential that was beforehand unique to the RS3 helps higher divert drive to the wheels with grip.
The torque-splitting diff’ can apportion extra drive to the skin rear wheel, in flip serving to pivot the automotive extra assertively underneath onerous acceleration. As a substitute of simply the entrance wheels doing the turning, the rears can successfully chime in as a part of the improved dynamic equation.
You received’t discover something cruising round city, however punch out of tighter bends with some tempo on board and there’s extra of a rear-drive flavour to the way in which the S3 behaves.
In brief it factors extra assertively and fires out of corners with extra precision, the quattro system not solely sniffing out each ounce of traction but additionally dialling up the motive force involvement. All of which makes the nuggety compact automotive really feel lighter and extra nimble on its ft.
Whereas it’s tuned in direction of tempo, the S3 can be respectably comfy over bumps. Even with the dampers of their stiffest mode it’s not harsh. Activate Consolation and the S3 is totally acceptable in the way in which it disposes of bumps.
The most important gripe is a few tyre noise at velocity, one thing exacerbated by aggressive street surfaces.
Inside, there’s extra to separate the S3 from A3.
The S3 will get loads of sporty touches, together with supportive leather-based sports activities seats with pink stitching and built-in headrests, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and pink trim accents all through.
Construct high quality is top-shelf and tilting the main controls in direction of the motive force reinforces the main target of the automotive.
There’s additionally a refreshing degree of practicality and area for a automotive engineered to ship on pleasure.
Rear occupants received’t precisely be splaying their legs in all instructions, however there’s sufficient knee area for many.
Headroom within the hatch is barely friendlier for taller folks and the 40/20/40 split-fold again seat makes it simpler to load cumbersome gadgets.
That the hatch can be extra inexpensive makes it a straightforward alternative for these chasing worth.
The ten.1-inch infotainment display provides clear graphics and a crisp digicam view. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is equally slick and showcases S3-specific layouts.
One is a “hockey stick” fashion tacho, one other extra typical, with digital dials and data-heavy overlays.
The touchpad to regulate the amount and audio controls provides to the bodily buttons for the air flow system to make adjusting generally used capabilities simple.
After all, those that need the head will gravitate to the RS3 that also holds prime billing within the A3 line-up with an additional dose of energy.
However the dynamic enhancements to the S3 have created a extra full and fascinating efficiency automotive that delivers critical smiles and tempo.
For many it’ll be all the recent hatch they’ll ever want.
