New Audi S3 Sportback Revealed

[mikeyb]

265 hp hot hatch

http://images.worldcarfans.com/2008/4/24/9080424.002/9080424.002.Mini1L.jpg

http://images.worldcarfans.com/2008/4/24/9080424.002/9080424.002.Mini2L.jpg

http://images.worldcarfans.com/2008/4/24/9080424.002/9080424.002.Mini3L.jpg

http://images.worldcarfans.com/2008/4/24/9080424.002/9080424.002.Mini4L.jpg

http://images.worldcarfans.com/2008/4/24/9080424.002/9080424.002.Mini5L.jpg

http://images.worldcarfans.com/2008/4/24/9080424.002/9080424.002.Mini6L.jpg

Along with the release of Audi's facelifted A3 comes the range-topping S3 Sportback, joining its 3-door S3 sibling at the top of the current A3 food chain. The S3 Sportback uses the same re-engineered, direct-injection turbo 2.0 TFSI engine as the S3 producing 265 hp (195 kW) with 350 Nm of torque.

The added bodywork slows the S3 Sportback slighty by 0.1 seconds on its 0-100 km/h time to 5.8 seconds (3-door S3 takes 5.7 seconds) but the 250 km/h top speed is the same for the 3-door and sportback versions. A six-speed manual transmission is hooked up to the engine delivering torque to the standard quattro (all-wheel-drive) driveline.

Besides the additional power, the S3 features a host of extras like 18 inch wheels, black brake calipers on 17 inch disk brakes, 25mm lower suspension setup, xenon plus headlamps with LED daytime running lights, new grille, bumpers and roof spoiler. The interior has its own upgrades like sport seats in cloth and Alcantara/leather or full leather, bucket seats are optional, aluminum pedals, black or silver headlining and three different styles of inlay.

Sale of the S3 Sportback will start this summer.

[ottawaP5]

This would be a nice upgrade from the MS3....I can only imagine how expensive it is going to be.

[mikeyb]

This would be a nice upgrade from the MS3....I can only imagine how expensive it is going to be.

It would be nice if we were going to get it here. As for price its probably EVO, STI, 135i, or R32 pricing.

[SuperStretch18]

Awesome

[TinmanMS6]

It would be nice if we were going to get it here. As for price its probably EVO, STI, 135i, or R32 pricing.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if they brought it over now that it shares a body with the US-spec A3. As far as pricing goes, the current A3 3.2 S-line is in the price range of those rally cars. It's actually the exact same as the R32 mechanically, but with 4 doors and more features. Similarly equipped, they're nearly identical in price. This S3 would be much more expensiver.

[mikeyb]

Its probably going to be 40K plus.

[TinmanMS6]

Yeah, the 3.2 quattro starts at $35k, so low to mid-40s sounds about right. High enough to clear that model, low enough to stay under an S4 (~$50k IIRC).

Edit: S4 starts at $48,600, so they'd have to stay well shy of that to sell any of these IMO.

[ottawaP5]

Do you guys think that the 0-100km/h numbers are a bit conservative? I would have expected in the low 5's for a car with 265 hp and AWD...

[nealric]

I think it will come in just under 40k

Even at that price the 135 eats it for breakfast (unless you demand AWD and hatch over performance)