Facelifted Audi S3 Debuts with More Power & RS3-derived Tech

Facelifted 2025 Audi S3 debuts in Europe with a power boost and some tech bits derived from the RS3.

German automaker Audi recently garnered the fourth-gen Audi A3 with a mid-life model update, featuring some minor design changes and equipment upgrades. This time around, it’s the turn for the A3’s slightly sportier twin, the Audi S3, to be garnered with the same treatment as part of its 2025 model year (2025MY) update.

The S3's 2.0-litre TFSI engine has been upgraded to now output 328 HP and 420 NM.

Starting with the most important bits, Audi engineers have tweaked the S3’s 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbocharged TFSI mill for the facelifted model, with said mill now outputting 328 HP and 420 NM—a healthy 22 HP and 20 NM increase over the previous version. This power boost allows the updated S3 to accelerate from 0-100 KM/H in just 4.7 seconds, en route to its V-Max of 250 KM/H.

Modifications have also been made to the new S3’s 7-speed S-tronic automatic gearbox, with Audi claiming the upgraded unit can shift half-time faster than the previous one. More importantly, the updated S3 also gets a torque splitter derived from its more potent twin, the Audi RS3, allowing for fully variable torque distribution between the rear wheels.

More on the mechanical side, the facelifted S3 also comes standard with an Audi S Sport suspension setup, which lowers the car’s ride height by 15 MM compared to the pre-facelift model. Also present here is the beefier brake setup with new two-piston callipers for all wheels.

To complement these mechanical upgrades, the facelifted Audi S3 also comes with some electronic upgrades. This includes the improved driving mode selector, which now features six dedicated modes, including the Dynamic Plus mode, which sends more torque to the rear axle for better tail-wagging action in the corner.

The facelifted Audi S3 gets the same design makeover garnered to its bare-boned twin.

As for the design, the facelifted Audi S3 echoes the same design changes we saw on its recently-updated bare-boned twin. Key features include the new Singleframe grille design flanked by redesigned Audi LED matrix headlights with multiple lighting signature options, as well as a slew of wheel options. Also present here is the manic Akrapovic quad-pipe exhaust system that helps the four-banger TFSI mill sing better at higher RPMs.

The facelifted treatment continues as we get inside the new S3’s cabin. Apart from the usual tech bits previously present on its predecessor, the updated model also gains a new ambient lighting system, a more minimalistic gear shifter on its central console, backlit fabric panels on the door cards, as well as several Audi S parts like the sporty seats, aluminium accents, stainless steel foot pedals, as well as a slew of carbon fibre trims.

Available on both sedan and Sportback hatch body styles, the 2025 Audi S3 facelift is now available for purchase in several European countries, with prices starting at €55,600 (RM286,788). For reference, the non-S-badged Audi A3 facelift is tagged at €35,650 (RM182,474) for the Sportback version and €36,450 (RM186,556) for the sedan.