2014 Audi S3 Sportback | new car sales price

Audi’s third-generation S3 has landed in Australia, with the five-door Sportback introducing the model ahead of the S3 sedan’s arrival early next year.

Priced at $59,900, more than $11,300 has been shaved off the previous S3’s ask, and now undercuts its BMW M135i nearest rival by $5000.

The quattro all-wheel drive S3’s 2.0 litre TFSI turbocharged petrol engine has been boosted by 18kW/50Nm to 206kW/380Nm, dropping the 0-100km/h sprint to 5.0 seconds for the six-speed S tronic dual-clutch auto, and 5.4 seconds for the identically priced six-speed manual.

The previous S3 could only muster 5.6 and 5.8 second figures, and despite the new model’s extra pace, fuel consumption has also dropped to 6.9 L/100km (from 8.3) for the now seven-speed auto, and 7.0L/100km (from 8.5) for the six-speed manual.

Key to these improvements is the new S3’s 70kg weight reduction, thanks to the new A3’s use of the Volkswagen Group’s new MQB architecture.

The S3 can be picked from bread and butter S3 by its ‘S’ specific bodykit, quad exhaust outlets, and 18 inch twinned spoke alloy wheels.

Standard kit also includes Nappa leather trimmed sports seats with front seat heaters, flat-bottomed steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, satnav, reversing camera with front and rear sensors, Bluetooth phone and audio, xenon headlights and LED taillights, and proximity keys.

A $4,990 optional S performance package is also available, which adds LED headlights, Bang & Olufsen audio, magnetic adaptive dampers, diamond stitched trim, red brake calipers, and 18 inch ‘star’ alloys.  

Pricing

S3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI auto - $59,900
S3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI manual - $59,900

This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn