2024 Audi S3 gets power boost and RS torque splitter

The Audi S3 has received a large upgrade, with an summation successful output to 329bhp and the summation of a torque splitter system, which has been taken from the latest Audi RS3 mega-hatch.

Both the four-door saloon and five-door hatchback versions of the show exemplary besides person respective insignificant styling changes, successful enactment with the caller facelift of the regular A3.

The revisions are intended to boost the show and handling of the S3, which we tested past twelvemonth successful prototype form, to assistance it support gait with the BMW M135i and Mercedes-AMG A35.

The S3 retains the Volkswagen Group’s EA888 turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, but its highest powerfulness has been boosted by 25bhp and its highest torque raised from 295lb ft to 310lb ft.

Additionally, the seven-speed automatic gearbox present has a much heavy compressed clutch plate, which enables it to grip higher torque loads from remainder and is said to halve displacement times nether afloat load. That each results successful a 0-62mph clip of 4.7sec, trimmed by 0.1sec. Top velocity remains 155mph.

Audi has besides retuned the turbo. During part-throttle acceleration, it volition preload to changeless revs, which reduces lag erstwhile it’s called upon. 

The main mechanical change, however, is the summation of the RS3’s torque splitter, which allows for afloat adaptable torque organisation betwixt the rear wheels.

Audi has besides added a caller Dynamic Plus driving mode, which uses the torque splitter to nonstop arsenic overmuch powerfulness arsenic imaginable to the rear axle and past to the rear instrumentality connected the extracurricular of a corner, making the car much prone to oversteer.

Other changes see larger brakes, tweaks to the progressive steering strategy and caller suspension wishbones with stiffer pivot bearings that let for much antagonistic instrumentality camber.

Audi’s S suspension, which lowers the assemblage by 15mm compared with the regular A3, is modular connected the S3. As standard, the S3 sits connected 18in wheels, though 2 caller 19in options are available, arsenic are grippy Falken athletics tyres.

The styling changes are comparatively minor, including a revamped beforehand grille and caller broadside aerial intakes astatine the front, on with a revamped beforehand spoiler. The reworked lights see 24-pixel daytime moving lights with 4 selectable ‘signatures’.

There’s besides a caller rear bumper plan circumstantial to S models and 4 circular exhaust pipes, which are optionally disposable with a titanium silencer.

Inside, there’s a caller shifter design, reshaped aerial vents, modular ambient lighting and a caller backlit laser-cut cloth sheet successful the beforehand doors.

The caller S3 volition beryllium disposable to bid shortly. UK pricing has yet to beryllium finalised, but it volition outgo from €55,600 (£47,500) successful Germany, compared with an introduction terms of £45,285 for the existent model.