Audi Reveals The All New Audi S3 Sportback and S3 Saloon
The new 2020 Audi S3 range has been revealed and it’s more powerful than ever. Audi fans will now have the choice of a sleek saloon S3 or an athletic ‘Sportback’ hatchback, with both models carrying over the state-of-the-art new technology and safety kit from the standard car.
Here’s some of the great features these new variants have to offer:
Engine and Performance
The performance model, which will top the fourth-generation A3 range until the RS3 arrives next year, takes its power from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
This new Audi S3 will offer 306bhp and 295lb ft of torque, capable of reaching 0-62mph in just 4.8 seconds. It will also hit an impressive top speed of 155mph!
Both versions of the S3 are set to produce 39.2mpg on the WLTP cycle, while emitting 178g/km of CO2.
Mechanical tweaks for the new car include Audi’s new valve lift function, which adjusts the lift of the intake valves to ensure the combustion chambers are optimally filled, while a new thermal management system enhances efficiency.
Drive is sent to all four wheels as standard through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
A hydraulic multi-plate clutch will vary torque between the front and rear axles for maximum traction and stability in corners.
The new S3 models will sit 15mm lower than its predecessor, and an optional sports suspension package brings a damper control function that is said to adapt the suspension to suit the driving situation ‘in a few thousandths of a second’.
Styling
As with the standard Audi A3, the performance model’s styling has been subtly evolved rather than radically overhauled.
Redesigned headlights - optionally with matrix LED functionality - sit above a new grille and front splitter with larger air intakes, while the side has been reprofiled with an emphasis on the rear wheel arches.
At the rear, both variants are set apart from the standard A3 with a prominent diffuser and quad-exit sports exhaust.
Interior
Inside, the performance duo features the same brand-new, luxury interior as the standard A3, but with a couple of subtle features aimed at making it more ‘driver-focused’.
Alongside the addition of new ultra-comfortable sports seats and a smaller gear selector, the S3 showcases carbon fibre or aluminium trim elements and reshaped air vents that form a single unit with the digital display housing.
Technology
As standard, the S3 comes equipped with a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel, but upgrading to the Audi Virtual Cockpit increases that to an expansive 12.3-inch.
If desired, a ‘plus’ package splits the display into three separate screens.
The new-generation infotainment system is housed on a wide 10.1-icnh touchscreen and is capable of providing acoustic feedback and recognising handwritten letters.
New connectivity features include live traffic data, parking spot locator and ‘Audi connect key’, which allows the car to be unlocked, locked and started using the owner’s smartphone.
Pricing for the new S3 in hatchback and saloon forms will be from about £37,360 and £39,355 respectively.
The new Audi S3 Sportback and S3 Saloon are available now.
To view the current deals available on the latest Audi S3 models available, click the link below: