The Audi S3 has received a major upgrade. The maximum power of the 2024 model has been increased to 329 horsepower, and the torque divider system from the new Audi RS3 has been added.
The facelift covers four-door sedan and five-door hatchback versions, and the appearance has also been adjusted to be consistent with the recently facelifted A3 series.
These upgrades are designed to improve the S3’s performance and handling, allowing it to compete with rivals such as the BMW M135i and Mercedes-Benz AMG A35. The new S3 continues to be powered by the Volkswagen Group’s EA888 turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with peak power increased by 25bhp and peak torque increased from 400Nm to 420Nm.
In addition, the seven-speed automatic transmission now features a tighter-compression clutch pressure plate that is capable of handling higher torque loads from a standstill and is said to cut shift times in half under full load. All these improvements shorten the new car’s 0-62 mph acceleration time to 4.7 seconds, 0.1 seconds faster than before, while the top speed remains unchanged at 250km/h.
In order to improve fuel economy and power response, engineers also re-tuned the new car’s turbine. At part-throttle opening, the turbo is preloaded to a constant rpm, reducing power lag.
The major mechanical change, however, is the addition of the torque splitter from the RS3, a system that allows for fully variable torque distribution between the rear wheels.
Audi has also added a new Dynamic Plus driving mode (Dynamic Plus), which uses the torque divider to send as much power to the rear axle as possible and prioritizes sending power to the outside rear wheels when cornering to help the driver. Achieve slight oversteer.
In addition to this, the new S3 also features larger brake discs, optimized progressive steering and suspension arms with stiffer bushings to provide greater negative camber for improved cornering performance.
Audi S sports suspension will continue to be standard on the new S3, which lowers the body by 15mm compared to the regular A3 model. 18-inch wheels are standard, with two new 19-inch wheels available, and grippier Falken sports tires are optional.
The new S3 only gets minor exterior tweaks, including a revised front grille, new front air intakes, and a revised front spoiler. The headlights have also been redesigned and feature 24-pixel daytime running lights, with four optional lighting “signatures” available. The rear part of the car adopts a new rear bumper design exclusive to the S series, and is equipped with four exhaust pipes, and an optional titanium alloy exhaust muffler is available.
Inside, the new S3 features a new gear lever design, unique air-conditioning vents, standard ambient lighting, and front doors with backlit laser-cut fabric panels.
The new Audi S3 will soon be available for order overseas. The specific price has not yet been announced, but the starting price in the German market is expected to be 55,600 euros (Note: currently about 436,000 RMB). Compared with the starting price of the current model, promoted.
