With a host of new features, the latest Audi S3 is more than just another upgrade: This latest version, seen here in both saloon (sedan) and ‘Sportback’ variants, offers increased output, a torque splitter, an expressive front design, a sporty diffuser, and a four-pipe performance exhaust system plus other technology highlights to ensure strong performance and agile handling. It’s available to order starting this month, May 2024.
On The Outside
With this latest upgrade, the Audi S3 has an even sportier and tauter appearance. The hexagonal, frameless ‘Singleframe’ (grille) features a new structure that is noticeably flatter and wider. L-shaped design elements accentuate the grille that, along with the large, angular side air intakes, highlights the S3’s dynamic character. A striking front spoiler, with two vertical struts connects the two and further lowers the S3 visually. A new bumper also makes the rear look more dynamic than ever. The structure of the ‘Singleframe’ with its distinctive L-wings is reflected in the glossy black rear apron above the diffuser. It is divided into two parts for an ‘S’ specific design that looks particularly sporty when combined with the vertical side reflectors that are a design feature of Audi’s high-performance RS models.
This dynamic appearance is further enhanced by four tailpipes, another characteristic S-model feature. The optional (and well worth adding) performance exhaust system, which delivers a more voluminous sound, features a titanium silencer. There’s a choice of modern colours too.
Up-to-the-minute lighting technology features four different daytime running light signatures. Like the redesigned grille, the lighting design is significantly flatter, emphasising the width of the Audi S3. The 24-pixel elements that make up the digital daytime running lights in the LED and Matrix LED headlights are now arranged in three rows on the upper edge of the housing. Thus, for the first time in this model, it is now possible to select and switch between up to four digital daytime running light signatures in the MMI (multimedia interface) on the dashboard. This offers a higher degree of personalisation. The tail lamps also feature a new rear light design.
On The Inside
To match the more striking exterior, the interior has also been significantly sharpened up. There are quite a few alterations here; from the gear-shift design and air vents to the decorative fabric inlays and new interior lighting. All these elements show precision in detail as we would expect from this prestige German car maker and emphasise the vehicle’s progressive and technical appearance.
The standard ambient ‘light package plus’ in the S3 adds accents in the storage compartment in front of the gear shift, on the doors, and in the footwell. With the model upgrade, the centre console and cup holder now also feature contour lighting. One eye-catching new design element is the fabric panel in the front doors that was laser-cut 300 times no less, we learn. Its five segments are backlit by a light source in the door panel. The different sizes of the elements create a dynamic flow of light, which is also apparent when locking and unlocking the vehicle. This makes the illuminated fabric panel a unique design experience.
The interior of the S3 models features dark colours with a few silver accents. A black roof lining, stainless steel pedals, illuminated door sills with aluminium inserts featuring the S logo, and aluminium-style interior trim emphasise the vehicle’s sporty character. Artificial leather armrests and three-zone comfort air conditioning come standard. Flattened at the bottom, the three‑spoke sports contour leather steering wheel features multifunction buttons and new chrome-plated steering wheel paddles. Sports seats with integrated headrests and pronounced side bolsters provide enhanced lateral support.
On the technology front, the S3 is both digital and connected, thanks to numerous connect services, functions on demand and a store for apps. In addition to DAB+ digital radio and the 10.1 inch touch display, the now ubiquitous Audi ‘virtual cockpit’ and an inductive smartphone charger all come as standard. In addition to the two front USB C charging ports in the centre console, there are two additional ports in the rear as standard.
Other optional features include MMI ‘navigation plus’, along with the complete connect portfolio and access to the store for apps, which allows the driver to use a wide range of applications right on the vehicle display. The selected apps are installed in the S3’s infotainment system without taking a detour via the user’s smartphone. Users can also interact with their apps via voice commands. Anyone with horror stories about voice control in the early days can now rest easy, you’ll be pleased to note. Times move on.
On The Road
With 328bhp (333PS) and 420 Nm of torque, the S3 is more powerful than ever. As part of the upgrade, the 2.0 TFSI engine receives an increase in both output and torque. The result is confident pulling power and strong acceleration. The S3 accelerates from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds. Maximum torque is available in a wide rev range between 2,100 and 5,500 rpm. Top speed is limited to 155 mph.
The engine and transmission also receive sportier tuning: When at a steady speed and at low to medium acceleration in the part-load range, the preloaded turbo-charger keeps at a constant rpm. In combination with the throttle valve, which is opened during overrun mode, this improves performance. The seven-speed ‘S tronic’ auto ‘box now enables a more spontaneous take-off, thanks to higher starting torque. This is achieved by compressing the clutch pack of the respective clutch more strongly.
And there’s more: the quattro drive system (now with a torque splitter from the RS version) is also available in the S3, increasing both agility and stability. This technology enables fully variable torque distribution between the rear wheels depending on the driving situation and the chosen Audi drive select mode, of which there are six, from an emphasis on comfort to highly dynamic. In addition to the familiar profiles (auto, comfort, dynamic, individual, and efficiency), the model upgrade for the S3 features the new dynamic plus mode, which, as the name suggests, ensures especially high driving dynamics. The electronic stabilisation control (ESC) is automatically active in sport mode. Modest interventions by the ESC system ensure an increased driving experience on surfaces with different friction coefficients.
The engine and transmission have also been tuned specifically for dynamic plus mode. Compared to the dynamic mode, the idle speed of the 2.0 TFSI has increased by 200 rpm to 1,300 rpm to improve off-the-line performance further. The throttle response is even more direct. In addition to shorter gear shifts, the transmission also contributes to increased dynamics with later up-shifts and earlier downshifts.
Stiffer bearings and new pivot bearings that allow more negative wheel camber ensure improved steering response and increased lateral control, which means more grip and dynamics in corners. Fittingly, the optimised progressive steering helps the S3 take corners even more precisely. The ‘S’ sports suspension comes standard in the S3 models. It lowers the body by 15mm compared to the regular A3. The same applies to the ‘S’ sport suspension with adaptive dampers, available on the S3 ‘Vorsprung’ version, which has been specially tuned for the torque splitter and the respective Audi drive select modes.
A new generation of electronic stabilisation control is also used. Wheel-selective torque control, which selectively brakes the wheels on the inside of the curve slightly while cornering, has also been further developed, as have the traction and deceleration behaviours. Overall, the S3-specific tuning of the suspension control systems results in dynamic turn in and driving behaviour.
Clearly, the increased driving dynamics mean increased demand on the brakes. For this reason, the model upgrade for the S3 has been sensibly equipped with larger ventilated brake disks on the front axle, which are perforated to provide a visual highlight.
So that’s it: The A3 and its sportier variants has always been a popular and premium car and the S3 seems to offer just the right compromise between economic motoring and performance driving. It looks good too which is of course a critical factor when it comes to performance cars. So if this, or indeed any current model Audi vehicle, seems to be the ideal choice for your next car then please get in touch with us here at MHH International to find out about our VAT-free export service from the UK to destinations like Kenya, Ireland, New Zealand and the Caribbean.
