Audi S3: First official pictures and details
Newswheel staff :: 01 August 2006 :: Filed under Hatchback, Audi, Audi A3, Europe & UK, US
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Four-pot FSI turbo for hot A3
It’s a sign of the times that 262bhp from a turbo-charged, three-door hatchback ain’t exactly awe inspiring. But then the new Audi S3, revealed today, has been a long time coming…
The current A3 has been around in some shape or form for over three years. What’s more, the A3 family already offers the sporty but sophisticated 3.2-litre 247bhp V6 model. Add in the fact that the new S3 lacks the widebody wheel arches of the first generation S3 and you have a recipe for mild under-whelment.
No wide-track body mods for the new S3
Of course, that might be a little unfair. After all, the latest Golf GTI is based on the same chassis and delivers some serious thrills. And that despite packing much less power. For the record, then, the new S3 cranks out fully 262bhp from a rejigged, overboosted version of VW’s direct injection turbo four-pot, the TFSI. Torque is a beefy 258lb/ft at just 2,500rpm.
The new S3 has been slammed by 25mm all round. But there’s still some serious air in them there wheel arches
As well as winding up the boost to 1.2bar, Audi has grafted on a very comprehensive range of upgrades to the new powerplant including pistons with stronger pins, strengthened connecting rods with new bearings, a stiffer cylinder block and a tweaked head made of a new, highly heat-resistant alloy. All of which, in Audi’s reckoning, results in an engine that is “hard-hitting, free-revving and [has] a sonorous acoustic profile.” Oh, and it’s also enough to push the S3 to 62mph in 5.7 clicks on to a limited Vmax of 155mph. Fuel economy, for those who care, is a claimed 25.7mpg on the combined cycle.
Chassis-wise, we’re talking 18-inch rims with 225/40 tyres all round, stiffer shocks and springs, plus slammage to the tune of 25mm compared with a boggo A3. A six-speed box delivers power to all four wheels courtesy of ye olde Quattro four-wheel drive system.
Inside, the S3 receives half leather sports seats as standard, along with aluminium look (yes, “look”) pedals, gear knob and air vents and a choice of piano black, aluminium or grey birch wood inlays.
The UK order book for the S3 opens in September, with first deliveries following in January '07. And the starting price for this four-wheel-drive joy device? A mere 27,000 of your Earth pounds. The queue starts here.
Posted 16 January 2007, by Wadino
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