Although the A3 regular has yet to be revealed, Audi is giving us a glimpse of the S version.
The SEAT Leon 4 and the VW Golf 8 debuted in late January. It’s now that it’s time to get to know the most luxurious car in the Volkswagen Group’s compact hatchback range. The revamped Audi A3 Sportback will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March. But we don’t need to wait to find out more about its cousin, the .
Although the Ingolstadt folks aren’t revealing the S3 Sportback yet, they invited some media members to visit a prototype in the Azores region, which is an autonomous region in Portugal. Several Motor1.com regional editions made it onto that list. This comprehensive gallery is accompanied by the preliminary technical specifications.
The new Audi S3 Sportback will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline motor. This is no surprise. TFSI will have a rating of 306 horsepower and 295 pounds-feet (400 Newton meters) of torque. This is only 10 horsepower more than the previous model. Torque remains the same. We are comparing the Euro-spec S3 Sportback with this TFSI, as the U.S-spec S3 Sedan is slightly less powerful at 288 horsepower and 280 lbft (380 Nm).
The new S3 will be up against the Mercedes-AMG A35, BMW and BMW . It will feature Quattro all-wheel driving like all other Audi Sport models, except for the tail-happy R8 R10 RWD and RWS. The all-paw system, which is an updated version of the one in the TT, will send 100 percent of the power to each axle. Normally it splits it equally.
Progressive steering is also available. This time it is more prominent than ever and you can choose between three modes: Dynamic, Balanced, or Comfort. Bridgestone also has new tires specifically designed for the S3, as well as 19-inch wheels that are reserved for the performance coupe.
If you’re looking to row your own gears, the new Audi S3 Sportback will only be available with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. A new damper system has been developed that promises to enhance the ride and make the hot hatch feel more agile around corners.
The suspension system with MacPherson at the front and multi-link at rear will be carried over from the current model. Audi claims that the S3 will continue to be the most dynamic model in its segment. However, the wheelbase is also borrowed from the current car, although the hatchback’s width and length are going up a bit.
It’s not difficult to see the exterior design, considering that it wasn’t camouflaged. The prototype had a thinner body wrap and Quattro branding. This revealed the majority of the production lines that will be seen when the S3 Sportback makes its debut. The interior is a different story. Official images aren’t available yet, but we do have spy shots that show a revamped dashboard with integrated infotainment and fewer buttons.
The only thing left is to wait patiently for Audi to unveil its fifth generation A3, and replace an existing car that has been in production since 2012. The outgoing A3 was the first to ride on MQB’s platform when it debuted.