2020 Audi S3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI with 310 PS & 400 Nm torque

A good 20 years ago, Audi opened the market segment for sporty premium compacts with the first S3. Now the brand is presenting the new generation - as the S3 Sportback and S3 Sedan. Your 2.0 TFSI delivers 228 kW (310 PS) of power and 400 Nm of torque. Both models (S3 Sportback: Combined fuel consumption in l / 100 km: 7,4; Combined CO2 emissions in g / km: 170 - 169; S3 Sedan: Combined fuel consumption in l / 100 km: 7,3-7,2; Combined CO2 emissions in g / km: 166 - 165) accelerate from zero to 4,8 km / h in 100 seconds. A seven-speed S tronic, the intelligently controlled quattro drive and an S-specific sports suspension, optionally with damper control, confidently bring the power to the road. Many other innovations - for example in the operating concept, infotainment and assistance systems - round off the high-tech character of the S3 models.

Strong in character: design and light

The new S3 models reveal their dynamic character at first glance. The single frame with its grille made of large diamonds and the impressive air inlets dominate the front, while the housings for the exterior mirrors shine in an aluminum look. The body shoulder runs in one strong pull from the headlights to the rear lights. The surfaces underneath are concave - a new motif in Audi design that strongly emphasizes the wheel arches. The new S3 Sportback and S3 Sedan with Matrix LED headlights can drive up on request. Your digital daytime running light consists of a pixel field of 15 LED segments, ten of which form two vertical lines. At the rear, the large diffuser and four exhaust tailpipes emphasize the sporty appearance.

Powerful: the drive

With 228 kW (310 PS) and 400 Nm torque, the 2.0 TFSI drives the new S3 models powerfully. High-tech features such as the Audi valvelift system (AVS), which switches the lift of the exhaust valves as required, ensure that the combustion chambers are well filled, and the thermal management contributes to high efficiency. Both models accelerate from zero to 4,8 km / h in 100 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km / h. With the standard Audi drive select system, the driver can give the sound of the powerful four-cylinder turbo even more conciseness. A lightning-fast seven-speed S tronic with free-wheel function and quattro all-wheel drive transfer the torque to the road. The hydraulic multi-plate clutch in front of the rear axle shifts it fully variably between front and rear as required. The S3 combines dynamism with stability and efficiency. Management is taken over by the modular driving dynamics controller - a new system that closely networks the quattro drive with the electronic stabilization control and the optionally available regulated dampers.

Dynamic: the chassis

With the four-link rear axle and progressive steering, the chassis already offers the best conditions for great driving pleasure as standard. The body is lowered by 15 millimeters, and Audi can also install the standard S sport suspension with damper control on request. Valves in the dampers control the oil flow, so they adapt individually and permanently to the condition of the road, the driving situation and the wishes of the driver in thousandths of a second. The spread between comfort and dynamism is even greater than in the previous model. The new electric brake booster guarantees strong and spontaneous deceleration. All four brake discs are internally ventilated. Audi installs black brake calipers as standard, and red brake calipers on request. The S3 models are standard on 18-inch wheels, optionally on 19-inch wheels.

Generous: the room concept

Compared to their predecessors, the new S3 models have grown: the Sportback and the sedan have gained three and four centimeters in length, respectively, and three centimeters in width. The five-door now measures 4,34 meters in length, the four-door 4,50 meters. In terms of width (1,82 meters), height (1,43 meters) and wheelbase (2,64 meters), the two body variants are identical apart from minimal differences. In the interior, they have increased shoulder and elbow widths. The luggage compartment of the S3 Sportback has a volume of 325 to 1.145 liters, depending on the position of the rear bench seat, and 370 liters of the sedan.

Sporty: the interior

The sporty, striking design of the new S3 models is continued in the interior - with the new, compact shifter for the seven-speed S tronic, with inlays made of aluminum or carbon and with door openers whose design is reminiscent of the headlights. The cockpit is focused on the driver, the distinctive air vents form a unit with the instrument cover, which underlines the sporty character. The digital displays appear as standard in a 10,25 inch display. Alternatively, the Audi virtual cockpit and its “plus” version are available - both with a 12,3-inch diagonal, the latter also with three different screens. Optionally, the ambient lighting package plus provides targeted lighting effects in the dark. The sports seats have been newly developed and their standard covers are largely made from recycled PET bottles. Stylish contrasting seams set accents. In the middle of the dashboard is a 10,1 inch touch display embedded in a large black panel area. It recognizes the input of letters by handwriting and gives acoustic feedback. Another operating level for the infotainment is the natural language control via the voice. Audi can supply a head-up display on request.

New generation: infotainment

The third generation of the modular infotainment kit (MIB 3) is behind the MMI operating concept of the new S3 models. It has ten times more computing power than its predecessor, performs connectivity tasks at LTE Advanced speed and integrates a WiFi hotspot. The route guidance is flexible and accurate. The navigation provides predictions about the development of the traffic situation, high-resolution satellite images from Google Earth and information about the traffic flow. Individual settings such as frequently selected destinations or the preferred air conditioning can be saved in up to six user profiles.

The online services from Audi connect also include car-to-x services. They help to find parking spaces on the roadside or to surf the green wave via traffic light communication in Düsseldorf or Ingolstadt, for example. The networking between the new Audi S3 and the user's smartphone runs free of charge via the myAudi app, but also via Apple Car Play, Android Auto and the Audi phone box. This couples the device to the car antenna and charges it inductively. Another feature is the Audi connect key, which authorizes you to lock and unlock the car and start the engine using an Android smartphone. For hi-fi fans there is the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 3D sound, which creates a particularly spatial sound.

Helpful: the driver assistance systems

The new S3 models also demonstrate Audi's technical expertise when it comes to driver assistance systems. Audi pre sense front, the avoidance assistant with turning assistant and the lane departure warning are standard equipment - they have the potential to prevent accidents. Optionally, there are further assistance systems such as the lane change and exit warning as well as the cross traffic and parking assistant. The adaptive driving assistant supports the longitudinal and lateral guidance. It keeps the speed and distance to the vehicle in front constant and helps with lane guidance through gentle intervention in the steering. The efficiency assistant contributes to a fuel-efficient driving style.

Scheduled: market launch and prices

Advance sales of the new compact S3 models will begin in many European countries in August 2020, and the first cars will be available from dealers from the beginning of October. In Germany, the S3 Sportback costs from 46.302,53 euros, the S3 sedan is in the price list at 47.179,83 euros. The limited "Edition one" flanks the market launch. It has a python yellow (Sportback) or tango red (sedan) paintwork with black accents, 19-inch wheels and sports seats. If we receive more information in a timely manner, there will of course be an update for this report. You will be informed of this if you simply use ours Feed subscribe to. Have fun watching the pictures and stay true to us!

(Photos: RS - Audi Sport GmbH)

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