Audi S3 2025: prototype hot hatch showcases RS3 tech, Golf R-matching grunt

Audi has revealed a prototype model of its mid-fluctuate performance Audi A3 – the S3 – and is promising that the speedy Audi hatch and sedan will recognize and power moderately in yet one more procedure from before.

The S3, which made its debut in its fresh 8Y fourth-generation guise in 2021, will web a indispensable facelift in 2025 which is capable of gaze more energy and torque reach to its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine – an engine shared with the fresh Volkswagen Golf R.

Outputs will reportedly lift by 17kW/20Nm, pushing the S3’s mixed outputs to 245kW/420Nm, which ought to peaceful lend a hand conclude the gap between it and the stout-elephantine 294kW/500Nm RS3.

The S3’s unusual tune is 10kW/20Nm more than the atrocious Mk8 Volkswagen Golf R, though the outputs are an proper match for the restricted-model Golf R 20 Years moreover offered in Australia which is anticipated to turn out to be the norm for the broader fluctuate in 2025

Currently, the Golf R starts from $70,590 before on-avenue prices in Australia, or exactly $4810 no longer up to an Audi S3 sportback. The Audi S3 sedan, within the period in-between, prices $77,500 before on-avenue prices.

As a level of comparability, the fresh flagship RS3 sportback starts from $96,800 before on-avenue prices, or $99,300 in sedan guise.

Turbocharger revisions and advanced diff to reach to S3

The boost in energy and torque for the S3 has been done by adding a revised turbocharger that maintains a fixed RPM in partial load eventualities for sooner throttle response.

Moreover unusual to the Audi S3 for 2025 is a stronger twin-grab transmission, main to sooner gearshifts. The S3 now moreover will get the trick torque splitter differential from its RS3 siblings, but misses out on a dedicated waft mode.

This means that the 2025 Audi S3 now will get a multi-disc grab on its front and rear driveshafts for totally variable distribution to the rear wheels.

A brand unusual Dynamic Plus mode pushes as much torque to the wheels because it per chance can, but this can peaceful take care of drivers in take a look at thanks to calibrated ESC. Contemporary steel brakes with discs measuring 357mm in diameter will moreover be fashioned.

It’s expected that more data surrounding the updated S3 will reach to light right through 2024.

Will there be an substitute coming for the hyper RS3, too?

It’s very most likely.

Just like the Audi S3, the RS3 would possibly per chance per chance well manufacture an substitute, which would per chance per chance well per chance gaze more energy reach from its used 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine.

Currently, the RS3 produces 294kW/500Nm, but with little tuning tweaks, the performance model would possibly per chance per chance well fetch conclude to or match its most bewitching rival, the Mercedes-AMG A45 S that produces 310kW/500Nm.

Despite being down 16kW, the RS3 is capable of launching to 100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds, or 0.1 seconds sooner than the fresh Mercedes-AMG A45 S.

The RS3 hyper hatch, which was launched in Australia in 8Y guise right throughout the guts of 2022, is one of many totally unusual autos readily accessible globally with a five-cylinder petrol engine.