AUDI Australia has announced pricing and specification details for the new Audi S3 Sportback and S3 Sedan. Due to arrive in early 2022, the S3 returns with more technology, striking styling, and greater performance than its predecessor.
The 2022 Audi S3 Sportback and S3 Sedan are an image of taut, masculine design. Sporting a wide single-frame, rhombus-patterned grille with aluminium inlays, large air inlets allow for greater airflow to cool the engine.
The S3 exterior boasts meticulous consideration in design, with panelling and intakes optimised to ensure aerodynamic efficiency. Brake cooling with a neutral drag coefficient is attributed to the front three-dimensional air intakes.
These guide air from the engine bay through to the wheel arches and the brakes. At the rear and flanked by the S model signature four oval exhaust tailpipes, a sizable diffuser reduces rear axle lift.
A total of eight paint colours are available, including new colours Python Yellow and Turbo Blue. Inlays and trims feature a stainless-steel look while exterior mirror housings feature a gleaming aluminium look finish, characteristic of S models in the Audi range.
The new S3 comes standard with Matrix LED headlights with dynamic front and rear indicators and digital daytime running light signature.
Producing 228kW and 400Nm, the S3 boasts a powerhouse 2.0-litre TFSI engine. The additional 15kW of power and 20Nm of torque from its 2019 predecessor brings the new S3 up to speed with equivalent performance of that in Europe.
This makes this generation of S3 the most powerful to ever reach out shores. It accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.
Fuel consumption is 7.4-litres/100km in the Sportback and 7.3-litres/100km in the Sedan. To harness the engine’s power, the S3 is equipped with a fast-shifting seven-speed S tronic as standard, allowing for lightning gear shifts.
The fast-shifting dual-clutch transmission allows for switching between D and S modes via the compact electronic shifter, or the standard steering wheel paddles.
As standard for Audi S models, the new S3 Sportback and S3 Sedan are equipped with quattro all-wheel drive. The S3 also features a hydraulic multi-plate clutch and fully variable torque distribution between the front and rear axle.
In combination with wheel-selective torque control, handling of the S3 is incredibly nimble, adding to its sporty character and making for an engaging drive.
Inside the cabin, the new S3 interior has been reimagined from the former 2019 model, with a host of refreshed standard features and design elements.
Anthracite tones, dark aluminium spectrum inlays, stainless-steel pedals, S embossing on the seats, contrasting stitching on the steering wheel with an S emblem, and a newly designed compact shifter all amplify the character of the S3.
An ambient lighting package is also included, which can be adjusted to 30 different colours, further heightening the interior atmosphere. Additional features include a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system with 3D sound in the front and 15 loudspeakers.
DAB+ digital radio, the Audi smartphone interface for Android Auto and wireless Apple Carplay, and two USB outlets are all standard.
All 2022 S3 models feature a multitude of advanced driver assistance safety systems imparted by some of the more recent Audi model lines. Features including collision avoidance assistance, lane departure warning, and cross traffic assist rear.
Parking system plus is also included and the Audi grabs autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection for the first time. Adaptive cruise assist with stop/go and hands-on detection, traffic jam assist and emergency assist are included too.
Lane change warning, efficiency assist, exit warning, a rear view camera, and a tyre pressure loss indicator also feature.
The 2022 Audi S3 will be available in Audi dealerships, and to order through the Audi online purchase platform at audi.com.au, in early 2022. The S3 Sportback starts from $69,900 (plus on-roads), through to $72,400 (plus on-roads) for the S3 Sedan.
