Audi has lifted the veil on the second-generation S3 Sportback, revealing the new performance hatchback at the Geneva motor show.
As expected, Ingolstadt’s keenly awaited five-door hatchback adopts the same engine and gearbox combination as its three-door sibling revealed last September, endowing it with higher levels of performance and greater overall efficiency.
With added competition in the form of the BMW M135i hatchback and Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, however, Audi is not going to have it all its own way in the premium performance hatchback market.
Power hails from the latest evolution of Audi’s widely used EA888 engine. The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct injection petrol unit produces 296bhp, providing it with a specific power output of 149bhp per litre. Torque peaks at 280lb ft on a band of revs from 1800 to 5500rpm, representing a 35bhp and 22lb ft increase on the older EA113 engine used by its predecessor.
The new engine is described as Audi’s most advanced four-cylinder production car engine to date. It runs 1.2 bar of turbocharger boost pressure, twin counterbalancing rotation shafts, a two-stage valve lift system with 30deg of camshaft adjustment on the inlet side and 60deg on the exhaust side, a new injection system to deliver fuel to each cylinder depending on throttle load and a 6800rpm redline. It’s also claimed to weigh 5kg less than the engine it replaces.
As with its predecessor, the new S3 Sportback receives a standard six-speed manual gearbox and Haldex-style multi-plate clutch four-wheel-drive system. A six-speed dual-clutch automatic S-tronic gearbox with remote steering wheel mounted shift paddles continues to be available as an option.
Clothed in a body that uses extensive amounts of aluminium, the new Audi is claimed to possess a kerb weight that undercuts the second-generation model by an impressive 70kg, at 1445kg, providing it with a power-to-weight ratio of 204bhp per tonne.
Audi quotes a 0-62mph time of just 5.0sec with the optional S-tronic gearbox, which includes a launch control system to limit slip under hard acceleration. With the standard six-speed manual, it requires 5.5sec.
These are improvements of 0.6sec and 0.3sec over the first-generation S3 Sportback introduced back in 2008. Top speed in each case is an electronically limited 155mph, or the same as before.
The added performance is achieved with a reduction in fuel consumption; the new S3 returns an official 41mpg on the European test cycle in six-speed S-tronic guise. In six-speed manual form it is rated at 40.4mpg.
The new S3 Sportback is the latest model to use the Volkswagen Group's new modular transverse MQB platform. Among its developments is a new front end architecture, with the front axle moved 52mm further forward compared with the previous model and the engine tilted back by 12deg towards the bulkhead for improved weight distribution.
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Auver-priced!
The looks are too understated and there are alternatives in the market which are faster, more affordable and from more prestige brands.
OK, but not exceptional
The price hike is going to make this car harder to stomach.
I've had two S3's in the last 5 years (both
3 door variants), and whilst they're very easy to live with (all year round), unless you put your hand in your pocket for a few carefully appointed tweaks it's a car that slightly under-delivers against it's true potential performance and handling wise.
It's hard enough justifying these amendments when the car was low thirties of thousands, but at £36k+ it's unforgivable that enthusiatic drivers will end up with a car that really needs some sort of fettling to sit it firmly in the category of 'proper' hot hatch (bhp figures are NOT enough on their own).
That said, it's a great sleeper for those who don't want to shout look at me, and the 80,000 miles I've covered in our car across damp and dreary Blighty have been nothing but confidence inspiring against the 2wd VAG's I've owned in days gone by.
I like this one. One of the
I like this one. One of the few Audis I would own.
Totally agree
I totally agree with chila. 4wd, 0-60 in 5 secs, 40mpg, decent space, fantastic interior - on paper, I am very impressed. It will be interesting to see what the ride/ handling is like as S audis can be hit or miss but the latest Sportback is meant to be as good as the new golf so that is encouraging.
I do agree that it could be overpriced compared with the M135i but how accurate are Autocar given there is no official statement yet. I think the M135i is an exceptional car but cant get beyond the looks. For me, the S3 is more attrative and has the added benefit of 4wd. If it is close to the M135i in price, it would get my vote.