The A3 Sportback is long overdue for a performance-oriented road-runner version.
So Audi, never a company to leave a niche untapped, has promised that the Australian market will see an S3 version of the five-door hatch before the end of 2008.
Specifications will be largely as for the three-door model, including the 2.0-litre TFSI engine, developing 188kW of power and 350Nm of torque, between 2500 and 5000rpm.
The Sportback's acceleration time to 100km/h is just one tenth of a second slower than is the case for the three-door S3 -- 5.8 seconds, versus 5.7.
Audi claims that in spite of the S3 Sportback's performance potential (including an electronically limited 250km/h top speed), the car will still achieve a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 8.5L/100km.
The sole transmission available will be the same six-speed manual from the three-door, driving through to the quattro constant four-wheel drive system and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Standard comfort and convenience features will include: leather-trimmed sports seats, aluminium-faced pedals, climate control, alarm and xenon headlights.
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