Jordan Katsianis Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk
AUDI has let us loose in some late-stage prototypes of the new S3, promising the hot hatch will once again have the bite its badge suggests.
It’ll join Audi’s updated A3 range with a fresh look when it’s revealed in a few months’ time. The S3 version has also received hardware changes designed to give the hot hatch the credit it craves.
The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine’s output has increased from 296bhp to 328bhp. Torque is also up from 400Nm to 420Nm, and comes with a more aggressive accelerator map, as well as a new pre-loading function for the turbocharger to improve response.
As with the RS 3, the S3’s mechanical clutch pack controls torque across the rear axle, over-speeding the outer wheel to tighten the car’s line during cornering. The brand has also uprated the brakes to a larger 327mm at the front, and overhauled the steering geometry to help give a more positive off-centre feel.
How does this all feel on the road? Well, we wouldn’t go so far as to call the new S3 an ‘RS-lite’, but it has certainly found some teeth where the previous version was lacking.
There’s a lot more response to almost all of the car’s dynamic elements – from steering that feels more positive and a touch heavier, to the engine, which feels quicker in its responses. Audi will also offer an optional part-titanium exhaust system, although any extra volume produced seemed subtle at best.
