Audi S3 2014 News

Drop-top Audi S3 joins Sportback and Sedan models in Australia.

Now there's even more reason to downsize with Audi because it has just introduced a sharp-as-a-tack sedan version of its delightful S3.

It’s no secret that Australians buy a higher proportion of high-performance models like BMW’s M, Mercedes-Benz’s AMG and Chrysler and Jeep’s SRT models than most markets, and Audi is taking full advantage of this with its Audi Sport range of models. With an unprecedented seven RS models now available, the R8 supercar and S-badged versions of almost all of its models, the German brand saw a 172.2 per cent increase in local Audi Sport model sales during the 2013 financial year. This resulted in a total of 1121 units, and a shift from 3 to 7 percent of Audi’s record total local volume of 16,009 units.During this same period, BMW’s M models dropped 1 percent, and Mercedes’ AMG rose 34.3 per cent, and the total Audi Sport volume sits between BMW M’s 623 units and Mercedes AMG’s 1650 units.With the subsequent additions of the RS6 Avant, RS5 Cabriolet, S3 Sportback, RSQ3, RS7 Sportback and the upcoming S3 Sedan and S1 hatch, Audi could be a serious threat to AMG’s top-fiddle status.“We have a renewed focus on Audi Sport, and the central theme of this comes from the 30 years of quattro GmbH last year”  Audi’s Australian boss Andrew Doyle says.In addition to the new quattro GmbH-developed Audi Sport models and the brand’s ongoing motorsport activities, Australia has become the second market after the UK to adopt the ‘Audi Sport Sales Concept’, which will see dedicated Audi Sport-themed areas established in several Australian dealerships. These ‘shops within a showroom’ will feature décor based around the Audi Sport red rhombus motif, and showcase a range of merchandise, wheels and accessories.To ensure buyers of RS models appreciate the full breadth of their vehicle’s performance, each will now be invited to participate – free of charge - in the Audi Driver Experience program with driver trainer and ex-Top Gear Australia host Steve Pizzati.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

Audi has released images and details of its first S3 convertible, which will join the A3 range after its global unveiling at Geneva motor show on March 4.In keeping with the rest of its S (sport) line cars, the S3 gets visual cues to its performance focus, with more imposing bumpers, a gunmetal grille insert, metal-look side mirror housings and a chrome windscreen bezel. The cabin features aluminium accents and a mix of fabric and nappa leather on the sports seats. Happily, the 285-litre boot loses only 40 litres when the roof is folded.Under the bonnet is the same engine as the current S3 hatch and the S3 sedan arriving mid-year: a turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 221kW of power from 5500-6200rpm and 380Nm of torque from 1800-5500rpm. However in keeping with the strategy for the other local S3 variants, to cope with our hotter climate the engine will be detuned to 206kW.While the current S3 hatch has the choice of a six-speed manual, Audi is so far only talking about a six-speed dual-clutch auto to feed to the convertible's quattro all-wheel drive system.The chassis has been revised, with a 2.5cm lower ride height, stiffer springs and dampers and bigger anti-roll bars, and the standard 18-inch wheels with larger 340mm front disc brakes can be optioned up another inch.Being heavier than the five-door hatch (1620kg to the hatch's 1445) it's also slower to get to 100km/h, with its time of 5.4 seconds being 0.4 behind the hatch. Audi claims a combined fuel figure of 7.1L/100km.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

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  

With the A4 now considerably larger than it used to be, there's space for a new compact sedan in Audi's lineup. And that's the all-new, upcoming 2015 Audi A3 sedan. And here it is: Ahead of its truly official world debut at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 19, Audi has just released the first official pictures of the A3 Sedan. The new A3 Sedan is compact, but not all that small. At nearly 4.5m long, with a 2.63m wheelbase, it's about the size of the original, first-generation A4 of the mid-to-late 1990s. Engine variants are likely to include 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre versions of the TFSI gasoline turbocharged direct-injected four-cylinders, along with the 2.0-litre TDI (turbo-diesel), and a higher-output version of the 2.0-litre, in a performance-oriented S3. We'll have plenty more on the 2015 Audi A3, and its feature set, which looks to be one of the best of any compact premium car (including Audi connect, a revised MMI interface, and 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound). But in the meantime, study these first images of the A3 and S3 sedan and let us know what you think: Is the 2015 Audi A3 bound for success? www.motorauthority.com  

...caught here at the Nurburgring by Carparazzi. The giveaway is 18-inch alloys but the car also gets bolder lamps similar to the new A6, as well as quad exhaust tips, while the bonnet likely hides a 2-litre turbocharged four.  

It’s starting to look that way with the spread of blink-fast double-clutch automatic systems. And people are apparently happy to pay more for them. For example, the six-speed S-tronic dual-wet-clutch transmission arrives in the Audi S3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI for an extra $2700, bringing the list price to $71,010. Audi, which debuted the transmission in the TT 3.2 quattro in 2003, claims the S-tronic reduces the 0-100km/h acceleration time by 0.2 seconds to 5.6 while economy is improved to 8.4 litres/100km with CO2 emissions of 195g/km. The S-tronic is a perfect partner for the turbocharged engine, swapping cogs so quickly the blower doesn't get a chance to drop revs, thus keeping the power on. Audi Australia product planning manager John Roberts believes the S-tronic model will not only become the top-selling S3, but will also lift volumes. Currently the S3 Sportback ($68,310) is the top seller with 62 per cent of S3 sales. However, Roberts claims the S-tronic will reach 65 per cent, dropping the Sportback to 20 per cent and the three-door manual ($66,403) to 15 per cent. He says the S-tronic will target younger buyers and sell about 200 a year.

BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo , Alfa Romeo and Audi are among the marques with quality, small cars. Audi offers its A3 in an extensive range: $33,950 for an A3 1.6-litre manual to $65,900 for the S3 turbocharged hot rod. It's the latter car at the top of the Audi small-car range in Australia that soon will have an almost identical twin. The S3, currently available as a three-door hatchback, will also be imported as a five-door hatch from late this year, giving it more practicality as a family sporty. Both versions will share the 1984cc turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which generates 188kW of power, catering for Australian conditions. Its 330Nm of torque streams from 2500rpm to 5000rpm. Audi says the extra weight of the rear doors adds just 0.1 seconds to the 0-100km/h sprint time (5.8 seconds) and its official fuel use rating is 8.5 litres per 100km. The S3 three-door is listed at $65,900 and the price for the five-door will be released closer to its on-sale date. The five-door will also have a six-speed manual transmission and Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system and 18-inch wheels. The S3 gets more sports and performance components over the A3 on which it is based. Its suspension brings a 25mm-lower ride height and includes aluminium components. The brake discs are larger. The S3 will come with aluminium-look exterior mirrors, leather-clad sports seats, xenon-plus headlights with LED daytime-running lights and aluminium pedals. Meanwhile, Audi has unveiled a show-car version of the Audi TT two-seat sports car called the Clubsport quattro. The Clubsport has a low, raked, small windscreen. That means the A-pillars are short, so there is a pair of generous rollover hoops behind the seats, aft of which are aero humps.  

A new five-door version of the Audi S3 will join the refreshed three-door model this year. The S3 Sportback will arrive in time for Christmas and should be priced close to the $65,900 three-door. Audi spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf said pricing had yet to be confirmed but she expected the Sportback to be less than $70,000. Many prospective buyers had been asking for a five-door model. “Obviously, with the two extra doors, we expect the Sportback to appeal to a broader range of buyers,” she said. “It makes sense to have the three- and five-door here, particularly given that our market loves five-door small cars.” The Sportback will be equipped with the same engine as the three-door, the re-engineered hot direct-injection 2-litre TFSI. This engine produces 188kW at 6000 revs and 330Nm from 2500 to 5000 revs and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The beefy engine catapults the three-door to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds and 5.8 seconds for the Sportback version. The car's top speed is limited electronically to 250km/h and yet the S3's fuel consumption is reasonably contained at an average of 8.5 litres/100km. The six-speed transmission works through Audi's quattro all-wheel driveline, and 18-inch wheels and sports-tuned suspension enhance handling. Visually, the S3 is 25mm lower than the standard A3 and integrates lightweight aluminium components. To cope with the power, the car gets beefier 17-inch disc brakes. Like the three-door, the Sportback has a deep radiator grille, front bumper with an integrated spoiler and a spoiler on the roof, as well as aluminium-look exterior mirrors. At the back, a modified hatch and tail-light design uses fibre optic rods to create a bright, clear look. As a result of the redesigned bumpers, the new A3 has grown 25mm to 4240mm. The sporty proportions of the Sportback remain virtually unchanged at 4290mm. The Sportback benefits from a slightly larger boot, 20 litres more than the three-door when the rear seats are upright or folded flat. Inside, it has leather-clad sports seats, but racing-style bucket seats will be available as an option. Also part of the equipment are aluminium pedals, automatic airconditioning, twin exhausts, anti-theft alarm and xenon-plus headlights with LED daytime running lights. The second-generation S3 made its debut last June and Audi Australia has sold 45 so far this year. The company expects to sell about 100 S3s a year. Audi sold 380 of the previous-generation S3s, which were available here from 2000 to 2003. PRICE VARIANTS Audi has announced pricing for the new A3 Cabriolet arriving in August. It will come in two variants at launch including the 1.8 TFSI with Attraction specification ($49,900), and the 2-litre TFSI engine with Ambition trim in six-speed manual ($54,900) and S tronic ($57,500). A 1.6-litre version with Attraction specification will arrive later in the year. It features a semi-automatic lightweight soft top that opens and closes in nine seconds. An optional fully automatic hood will cost an extra $1300.