Audi S3 News

Audi's A3 line-up has been slightly tweaked with added equipment and cost ahead of the new-generation version being possibly revealed before year's end.The base A3 30 TFSI S tronic has now been discontinued, which cost $36,600 before on-road costs, leavin

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  

It will hit the showrooms priced at $59,900 and powered by a 2.0 TFSI engine that develops 206kW and 380Nm, shooting it from rest to 100kmh in a rapid 5.0sec. Also on the positive side of the ledger is fuel efficiency rated at 6.9 litres per 100km. The sporty six-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive system combine to offer enthusiasts an engaging drive. Compared to its predecessor, the latest generation S3 Sportback is 70kg lighter thanks to ultra lightweight technology. The accessible price tag doesn't mean lean features with the S3 Sportback scoring xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights, MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi parking system plus: park assist, front and rear sensors with rear view camera, 18-inch alloy wheels, 'S' specific body kit, 'S' exhaust system with quad tailpipes, 'S' sports suspension, sport seats in fine Nappa leather and heating for front seats, Audi music interface, Bluetooth interface with music streaming, dual-zone climate control with digital display and rear air vents, leather-wrapped, multi-function flat-bottom steering wheel. Optional packages add more equipment.

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  

Audi plans a five-door S3 model (it showed a three-door S3 at the Paris motor show) which is already being organised for sale in Australia. It is expected here late next year. Audi isn’t saying too much about the five-door rocket yet, though Carsguide learns it has a 221kW version of the 2-litre turbo-petrol engine, gets a stronger version of the A3 quattro’s drivetrain and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. It also has a unique electric steering system based more on the S5 and with a sharper rack ratio. Audi spokesman Tobias Sollner also says there is a 225kW RS3 coming but Audi Australia is yet to confirm it. Australia missed out on the previous RS3.  

...but it means something good at Audi with the imminent arrival of a new generation S3 due early next year.It's a lightweight premium compact model that combines dynamic performance with improved efficiency as well as offering all the high-tech that Audi has to offer.ENGINEThe long-stroke 2.0 TFSI has been developed from scratch. The only thing it has in common with its predecessor is its displacement of 1,984 cc. The four-cylinder unit delivers a constant 380Nm of torque between 1,800 and 5,500 rpm. Rated power at 5,500 rpm is 221 kW and the engine redlines at 6,800 rpm.It allows the new S3 to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds when equipped with the S tronic dual clutch manumatic (5.4 seconds with the manual transmission).ECONOMYFuel economy is also impressive rated at 6.9 litres/100km (manual: 7.0 litres). The direct injection, turbocharged engine with variable valve lift features two balance shafts rotating at twice the speed of the crankshaft for smoothness gains.And thankfully, Audi has engineered a stirring exhaust note from the S3.The exhaust manifold is integrated into the cylinder head, where it is bathed in coolant. New S3 comes standard with a manual six-speed transmission and optional dual clutch S tronic.QUATTRODrive is quattro permanent all wheel drive. New S3 offers the dynamic driving characteristics of a sports car. It responds to steering input precisely and spontaneously, and takes all types of corners at speed and with little body movement. Its handling is precise, safe and virtually neutral. Another innovation in the S3 is progressive steering with the rack geared in such a way that the ratio varies. It rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/40-series tyres.SELECTAudi drive select comes standard incorporating the characteristics of the electronic accelerator, the boost of the progressive steering and the shift points of the optional S tronic.The driver determines with the push of a button whether these systems operate in comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency or individual mode. In individual mode (available with the MMI radio or above), drivers can compose their own preferred profile within certain limits. The Audi S3 will arrive at dealerships in early 2013. The base price in Germany is Euro 38,900.