The new Audi S3 is a lightweight premium compact that boasts a turbocharged direct-injection engine.
Just a day after revealing the new A3 Sportpack at the Paris Motor Show, Audi released the details on the upcoming 2013 S3. Audi, it seems, wants the world to pay very close attention to what’s happening under the S3’s hood. The engine has been transformed and improved over the previous two generations of S3. The compact model showcases the Audi talent for performance and technology combination to produce a comfortable, smooth ride.
According to Audi, the S3 is all about the engine. The long stroke 2.0 TFSI has been developed from scratch and cranks out 221kW/300 hp and a consistent 380Nm of torque between 1800 and 5500rpm, the engine redlining at 6800rpm and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. The S3 completes the 0-100km/h in an impressive 5.1 seconds when equipped with the optional S-Tronic, and 5.4 seconds with the standard 6-speed manual transmission. The S3’s fuel efficiency is also clearly at the top of the priority list for Audi. The S-Tronic version consumes just 6.9-litres of fuel per 100km and the manual just 7-litres per 100km and only produces 159 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometre, which is a 1.5-litre improvement over the previous model.
Standard in the new S3 is drive select which incorporates the fundamentals of the electronic accelerator, the progressive and highly responsive steering as well as the shift points of the optional S-Tronic. The driver simply selects whether these elements perform in comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency or individual mode. In individual mode the driver is able to compose their own personal profile within the programmable limits.
The S3 has been designed to be as lightweight as possible, with the engine alone weighing 5kgs less, the body itself another 28kgs lighter, and the total curb weight 60kgs lighter than the previous generation S3, yielding a car that weighs only 1395 kilograms. As one would expect from Audi, the body of the S3 is firm, quiet and crash-safe.
Even though it retains similar design elements to the A3, the S3 is designed to look sportier and slightly edgier than its sibling. The standard 18-inch wheels coupled to 340mm brake discs sit neatly underneath the lightweight aluminium body that itself hunkers a bit closer to the ground than either the A3 or the previous S3’s. The body itself features subtle changes including a bigger grill, honeycomb inserts, bigger spoilers, a deeper rear bumper as well as four chrome oval exhaust finishers.
The interior of the S3 features the premium technology usually found in the larger Audi models including adaptive cruise control, the MMI user interface and a Bang and Olufsen audio system. The standard leather upholstery also features “S3” stitching and decorative inlays available either in matt brushed aluminium or a black 3-D. Boot space is a very serviceable 365 litres, and can be increased by folding down the rear seats. Audi also offers optional S Sport seats that boast integrated head restraints and diamond quilting. Standard in the S3 interior is also the two-zone automatic air conditioning and storage package.
While Audi South Africa has yet to confirm the price-tag of the S3 when it hits South African streets early 2013, the base price in Germany is €38 900, so it certainly won’t be cheap at local dealerships.
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Image courtesy of Audi.com