Sporting subtle cosmetic updates and, most notably, more power, among a raft of other upgrades, Audi has whipped the covers off the refreshed S3. Here’s what you can expect from the revised model…
For starters, let’s take a look under the bonnet. As a reminder, the S3 is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine, coupled with the Ingolstadt-based brand’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. In the pre-facelifted S3, the S tronic unit transferred 213 kW and 400 N.m of torque, the latter of which available from 2 000 r/min to 5 200 r/min, to the company’s quattro all-wheel-drive system. However, for the updated version, Audi has handed the 2.0 TFSI powertrain an injection of power … and torque!
The S3 is now endowed with 245 kW (up 32 kW) and 420 N.m (up 20 N.m). In addition, the latter is now available in a wider rev band — between 2 100 r/min and 5 500 r/min. For improved straight-line performance, the idle speed of the engine (when in ‘dynamic plus’ driving mode) has been raised by 200 r/min to 1 300 r/min.
Thanks to the latter and, of course, increases in power and torque, the S3 now completes the obligatory 0-100 km/h sprint two-tenths of a second quicker (4.7 seconds versus 4.9 seconds). The top speed has remained an electronically limited 250 km/h.
However, in addition to the enhancements made to the powertrain, Audi has uprated the S sports suspension set-up. The wishbones now feature stiffer bearings and new pivot bearings, which allow more negative wheel camber and, as a result, improved steering response and lateral control when cornering. The firm’s S sports suspension with adaptive dampers that have been “specially” tuned for the torque splitter (indeed, following the RS3, which we’ve driven in 2023, this item is now available on the S3) is included in the options list.
As standard, the S3 is equipped with a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in 225/40-size tyres. However, customers have the option of specifying 19-inch alloys, fitted with 235-35-size rubber. “High-performance” tyres with “optimised” dry handling and “improved” braking behaviour are also available. Speaking of braking, the S3 has been equipped with larger ventilated discs at the front.
