Audi has announced (not that we are surprised) that the firm's A3 model is about to be crowned with an S3 flagship, due to hit showrooms early in 2013. The big news is that it's lighter, faster, more efficient and better equipped than ever before - question is, will it be more fun to drive as well?
Exterior
Key to the appeal of Audi's S range of models is their subtlety, and it's no different for the latest car. Initially only available with three doors, the S3 wears the archetypal aluminium-look mirrors, large single-frame grille (also finished in aluminium-look trim) and a large rear spoiler. The bumpers have been redesigned with more aggressive air intakes and an integrated rear diffuser houses four oval exhaust tips. Xenon headlights and LED daytime running lamps are standard, with full LED headlights on the options list, and the new wheels hide 340mm disc brakes with black callipers.
Interior
There are only minor changes in here as well, but then the standard A3's cabin is something of a masterpiece. The instruments feature a grey background with white needles, the rev-counter has a boost gauge and the flat-bottomed wheel has aluminium paddles for the S tronic gearbox (when fitted). Buyers can choose from a variety of different sport seat finishes: Nappa leather and cloth, Nappa leather and Alcantara or Nappa leather and Velvet leather, while every car comes with black headlining. There's plenty of standard kit as well - though the finalised Irish specification has not yet been confirmed.
Mechanicals
This is where it gets a little more exciting. Despite sharing its 1,984cc displacement the new 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine is all-new from the ground up. The headline figures are 300hp and 380Nm, the latter available all the way from 1,800- to 5,500rpm. Choose the optional S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and the 0-100km/h dash takes only 5.1seconds (5.4 for the manual) thanks to the on-demand launch control system.
A larger turbo allows boost pressures up to 1.2 bar while the electromechanical sound actuator ensures the four-cylinder sounds exciting in the cabin. At the same time an active exhaust flap opens for those listening to the car outside. Both the six-speed manual and six-speed S tronic gearboxes have shorter ratio gears lower down for faster acceleration and a longer top for better economy.
Anything else?
But it's not all about performance - the new S3 is much more efficient than before. So while it produces 300hp it also manages to keep emissions below 160g/km (162g/km for the manual model) and return over 40mpg (7.1 litres/100km). Part of that saving comes down to the indirect fuel injection working with a direct system to increase efficiency at part loads, but most comes from weight savings. Not only does the new engine weigh 5kg less than before, but the whole car is 60kg lighter (at a total of 1,395kg). Combined with the lower engine weight, the front axle has been moved forward 52mm over the previous car so weight distribution is even better balanced.