New Audi S3 to get power boost

Australia will get the full-fat Audi S3 for the first time when the fourth-generation all-wheel drive pocket rocket launches here in the second half of 2021.

The rebranding of Australia from a hot to moderate climate country by Audi HQ in Germany means the engine of the S3 won’t be detuned ahead of the trip Down Under.

Every previous Audi S3 that’s come to Australia including the original three-door hatchback launched in 1999 has been down on power compared to the versions sold in places like Europe.

Based on the new-generation Audi A3 that arrives in Australia starting late 2020, the new S3 will continue to be available as a Sportback (hatch) and sedan. The cabrio version won’t continue as the donor A3 drop-top has been axed.

As we reported last month when the new S3 Sportback and sedan broke cover, the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol direct-injection engine is now rated at 228kW and 400Nm.

In moderate climates that’s a step up from 221kW and 380Nm, but in Australia it’s a more significant 15kW boost, while torque climbs an identical 20Nm.

“This is good news,” said Audi Australia spokesman Shaun Cleary. “From an engineering point of view Australia had been classified as a hot country which meant in terms of power we were slightly less endowed.

“In terms of acceleration and fuel economy the impact has been negligible, but in terms of full output we are now classified as a moderate country like Europe.

“The change in classification has been the result of engineering work that’s gone on between Audi Australia and Audi AG in Germany.”

Cleary said Audi Australia wouldn’t hesitate to promote the fact the S3’s power now matches Europe.

“We won’t be shy about the fact it has the full output,” said Cleary. “Being the type of vehicle it is it will probably make a difference to future customers.”

Trace back through the history of the Audi S3 and you can see there has always been a power discrepancy; the first-gen – a 1.8-litre 20-valve petrol-turbo I4 – made 154kW against a 165kW peak elsewhere.

The second generation launched in 2007 – which switched to the 2.0-litre I4 – made 188kW here versus 195kW elsewhere.

The third generation, which launched here in 2013, started at 206kW, climbed to 210kW in 2015 and 213kW in in 2016.

However, the full-fat version of the EA888 VW Group engine will not flow into the TT S coupe.

The boost from 221kW/350Nm to 227kW/400Nm for the fourth-generation S3 is achieved with the help of increases in both fuel-injection and turbo pressure.

The new Audi S3, driving via a seven-speed dual-clutch auto, accelerates to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and has a claimed fuel consumption rate up to 7.4L/100km (WLTP).

The Australian version of its predecessor made the dash to 100km/h in 5.0sec at its 2013 launch but now claims 4.8sec. ADR fuel consumption is claimed at 6.7L/100km.

Other Audi S3 updates for generation four include a 1kg lighter multi-plate clutch for the electronic AWD system and a central dynamics handling controller that collects data from all components relevant to transverse dynamics such as torque vectoring, progressive steering and AWD to aid driver feedback.

While they don’t always sell in Australia at the same time, S3 and the even-hotter five-cylinder turbo RS 3 can tally up to a third of overall A3 sales. The current S3 range is now in an extended run-out mode, having received a series of updates earlier in 2020.

No pricing will be announced for the new Audi S3 until much closer to its local roll-out.