Dynamism, sportiness and sophistication – the Audi A3 holds an outstanding position in the premium compact class. Now its top-of-the-range version is ready to go, the new Audi S3 boasting 195 kW (265 bhp) and quattro permanent four-wheel drive. With its sparkling performance it pursues the ideal of pure driving pleasure coupled simultaneously with excellent everyday practicality – like all Audi S models.

The S3 redefines the standards of its class – at the level of a sports car. The sprint to 100 km/h is accomplished in 5.7 seconds, and acceleration is only halted on reaching 250 km/h. Aggressively hard-hitting, free-revving and with a sonorous acoustic profile, the powerful two-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder unit with FSI petrol direct injection proves to be a smooth, high-performance engine.

This power is transmitted by the six-speed gearbox and quattro permanent four-wheel drive to large alloy wheels with an 18-inch diameter. The new S sports suspension system on the S3 enables an extremely sporty driving style combined with the ultimate in comfort. This sporty compact model responds actively to steering movements, exhibits precise and safe handling characteristics and, thanks to quattro technology, enables maximum acceleration out of bends.

The dynamic potential of this three-door sports car is obvious at first glance. The single-frame grille sports chrome trim, the front skirt has a spoiler with large air-intakes and the side sills have been restyled. There is a contrasting platinum grey diffuser built into the rear skirt, along with two S-style oval chrome tailpipes. Aluminium-look door mirrors and a body-colour roof spoiler give added impact to the visual statement.

Interior: Sporty atmosphere

The interior conveys an atmosphere of sportiness, with materials of the highest quality and painstaking craftsmanship. The elements that dominate the styling are the sports seats with prominent side sections, the black headlining, also available in silver, and the instrument cluster with its special dials and needles.

The pedals, gear knob and air vents are in aluminium look, the inlays are in Piano finish black, or alternatively Aluminium or Fine grain birch wood grey. The red and silver S3 emblem is to be found on the leather sports steering wheel, in the instrument cluster, on the gear knob and on the door sill trims. The seats are upholstered in a combination of cloth and leather or, as an option, in Alcantara/leather or completely in leather. The two-tone leather seats are decorated with stitching in the same colour as their centre section.

TFSI in its most powerful form

The power plant of the S3 delivers all that is expected of a powerful sports engine, and does it supremely well. The 2.0 TFSI, which combines direct injection and turbocharger technology, delivers 195 kW (265 bhp) at 6,000 rpm. And at just 2,500 rpm it already musters up an impressive 350 Nm of torque – this pulling power remains constant up to 5,000 rpm. In the combined driving cycle the 2.0 TFSI displays another welcome character trait, consuming just
9.1 litres of fuel over 100 km – further proof of the forward-looking efficiency of TFSI technology developed by Audi.

Compared with the A3, this engine is an advanced version which has undergone fundamental changes. The new turbocharger with its enlarged turbine and compressor rotor generates 1.2 bar of boost pressure – an unusually high figure. A modified intercooler significantly lowers the temperature of the compressed air, thus increasing the air mass necessary for combustion.

Pistons with stronger pins and strengthened connecting rods with new bearings transmit the powerful forces to the crankshaft. The cylinder block has been stiffened up and the head is made of a new, highly heat-resistant alloy.

The exhaust camshaft timing has been adjusted to accommodate the increased power output. High-pressure injectors with an enlarged cross-section squirt the fuel straight into the combustion chamber.

Despite all this progressive engineering, the high-performance turbo weighs in at just 152 kilos, which is less than comparable power plants from direct competitors, and this has a positive effect on the axle load distribution. The compact dimensions of the 2.0 TFSI make it suitable for transverse installation, which brings benefits in terms of the S3’s interior space and luggage capacity.

To go with its sporty nature and firm handling, the new Audi S3 has a six-speed, close-ratio manual gearbox. Gearshift travel has been reduced for the S3, enabling even sportier and more precise gear changes. As is the case for all
Audi S models, the new S3 drives all four wheels by means of quattro permanent four-wheel drive. An electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, positioned at the rear for the benefit of weight balance, distributes the torque as needed – delivering plenty of grip and maximum driving safety. All the components in the drive train have been strengthened to cope with the high level of engine torque

Handling: Lightning-fast reactions

In terms of handling, the Audi S3 exhibits all the qualities of a high-performance sports car; it responds immediately to steering movements and achieves high cornering speeds. The innately sophisticated suspension of the
A3 – with subframes front and rear, triangulated lower wishbones at the front and four-link suspension at the rear – has been further refined.

Springs and shock absorbers are stiffer, and the body sits 25 mm lower than an A3 with standard suspension. Aluminium pivot bearings and wishbones reduce the weight of the front suspension. Stiffer suspension mounts and a sportier characteristic for the electro-mechanical steering convey even greater dynamism and precision. 18-inch alloy wheels and 225/40 tyres ensure firm adhesion to the road surface. A 17-inch brake system with sports brake pads ensure maximum deceleration; the black painted callipers bear S3 emblems.

The extras also include a leather steering wheel with flat-bottomed rim and – in the quattro GmbH range – folding bucket seats. In the infotainment area, Audi is presenting a new generation of audio systems. The premium package is rounded off by universal interfaces for mobile phone and iPod, plus a sound system from Bose. Standard equipment includes deluxe automatic air conditioning, a driver information system with a new lap-timer function, and an anti-theft alarm. Front fog lights and xenon plus headlights with daytime running lights underline the impressive price/performance ratio. The basic price of the 265 bhp Audi S3 in Germany is EUR 35,150.

The official word from Ingolstadt is that we shouldn’t plan on buying an Audi S3 in the United States anytime soon. It is, after all, a three-door hatchback, and we all know that Americans don’t buy three-door hatchbacks.

But the S3, Audi’s hotted-up version of the A3 five-door we’ve already embraced with open arms, is just too good to leave the U.S. market out of the plans. Audi has shown a tendency to deny us its best hardware initially, but then eventually comes through with the goods. See S4, S6, S8, and most recently, the rocket ship RS4, for evidence.

If and when the S3 comes to these shores, what can we expect? S3 is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 265-hp, 258-lb-ft four-cylinder engine, driving all four wheels via quattro and a six-speed manual gearbox. A lowered sport suspension, 18-inch aluminum wheels and bigger brakes, along with “S” exterior and interior trim modifications, complete the package.

Look for the S3 to make a world debut in Paris this fall. Europeans can place their orders for the car in August and expect deliveries starting in the fourth quarter of 2006. Pricing starts at e35,150. That works out to about $45,000, if you’re already counting your pennies.

At £26,995 (about $50,200) the S3 is too expensive. Audi's own TT is a better drive.

Along with the release of Audi's facelifted A3 comes the range-topping S3 Sportback, joining its 3-door S3 sibling at the top of the current A3 food chain. The S3 Sportback uses the same re-engineered, direct-injection turbo 2.0 TFSI engine as the S3 producing 265 hp (195 kW) with 350 Nm of torque.

The added bodywork slows the S3 Sportback slighty by 0.1 seconds on its 0-100 km/h time to 5.8 seconds (3-door S3 takes 5.7 seconds) but the 250 km/h top speed is the same for the 3-door and sportback versions. A six-speed manual transmission is hooked up to the engine delivering torque to the standard quattro (all-wheel-drive) driveline.

Besides the additional power, the S3 features a host of extras like 18 inch wheels, black brake calipers on 17 inch disk brakes, 25mm lower suspension setup, xenon plus headlamps with LED daytime running lights, new grille, bumpers and roof spoiler. The interior has its own upgrades like sport seats in cloth and Alcantara/leather or full leather, bucket seats are optional, aluminum pedals, black or silver headlining and three different styles of inlay.

Sale of the S3 Sportback will start this summer.

The facelifted Audi A3 will go on sale this summer as the 2009 Model Year and raises the already sporty profile of Audi's premium compact car with added technologies like the S tronic 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and magnetic ride system. Design is updated to fit in better with the new generation Audi's like the recently revealed Q5 compact SUV, featuring the same headlamps with the curved 'wing' element. Due to the modifications, the 3-door A3 grows by 2.5 cm to 4.24 meters in length while the A3 Sportback remains the same length at 4.29 meters.

The interior follows suit with aluminum details and restyled switches and controls. The instrument cluster now features black dials with red needles, a shift indicator to let the driver know which gear is recommended by the car and high-resolution white letters for the driver information. The A3 trunk has grown to 1,080 liters while the Sportback can hold 1,100 liters, with the quattro version offering slightly less cargo space due to the special rear axle.

Besides the top of the range S3 with 265 hp 2.0 TFSI engine, the A3 comes with a wide range of engine options. The entry level 1.6 liter develops 102 hp (75 kW), followed by the 1.4 TFSI (125 hp / 92 kW), the 1.8 TFSI (160 hp / 118 kW), 2.0 TFSI (200 hp / 147 kW), 3.2 quattro six cylinder (250 hp / 184 kW), 1.9 TDI (105 hp / 77 kW) and 2.0 TDI with either 140 hp (103 kW) or 170 hp (125 kW). The 1.6-liter gasoline engine can also be supplied in conjunction with manual transmission for low-cost running on ethanol E 85 fuel, while the 1.9 TDI e version can run 100 km on just 4.5 liters of diesel, thats over 52 mpg.

Only the two entry level A3's (1.6 and 1.9 TDI engines) are offered with a five-speed manual transmission, the rest comes standard with a six-speed manual while the 3.2 comes standard with the fully automatic or semi-automatic S tronic dual clutch transmission. Optional for most of the A3 range is the new Audi Magnetic Ride which can switch from a comfortable ride to crisply firm within milliseconds.

All of this will be available this summer for a starting price of Euro 20,350.