Updated Audi S3 Detailed, Gets More Power And Sharper Styling

The face-lifted and upgraded Audi A3 range is set to the sporty Audi S3 variant gain plenty of style and performance upgrades.

First images and details of the upgraded Audi S3 hot hatch – and sedan – have hit the web ahead of a planned debut as part of the revised Audi A3 line later this year. Besides sharper styling, the other headlining change here is the promise of enhanced performance.

Despite the Audi Sport livery camouflage, the sharper styling tweaks are pretty evident. Note the more aggressive front and rear bumpers, the latter matched with a prominent new diffuser too.

Whilst the initial images released hides much of the styling updates underneath a signature Audi Sport livery, closer inspection reveals plenty. Key amongst are the new front and rear bumpers, with the rear’s made more aggressive thanks to angular reflectors, new taillights, and a new diffuser.

Upfront, the revised front grille sees the signature four-ringed emblem repositioned and flanked by new headlights. One exciting visual addition to note too are the presence of an Akrapovič exhaust system – likely similar to those primed in the VW Golf R 333 special.

Under the hood, the uprated S3 is set to harness the same 2.0 TFSI turbo 4-cyl as the Golf R 333 special, promising the same 329 HP and 420 NM outputs plus Akrapovič pipes.

The latter is bolstered further by the fact that the updated S3 will harness the same VW-badged hot hatch’s 2.0-litrre TFSI 4-cyl turbocharged petrol heart, promising up to 329 HP and 420 NM outputs too. Said figures mark a 23 HP and 20 NM improvement over the pre-facelift version.

The upgraded mill gets paired with an equally upgraded 7-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that reportedly promise gear shit times that have been halved. Also new is a rear torque splitter derived from the much hotter RS3 model.

Audi have also beefed up the S3's chassis with highly improved suspension hardware and larger brakes. Adding to which is an added rear torque splitter lifted from the RS3.

Matching the heightened output, Audi also elected to beef up the S3’s chassis with new and grippier tyres in 235/35 profile shod on each 19-inch wheel. Behind each also lies larger new 357 MM brake rotors, with the front units grabbed by new twin-piston calipers with larger pads too.

Other notable tweaks include new pivot bearings on the MacPherson Strut assembly plus stiffer wishbones for the front axle, improved progressive steering system, as well as retuned dampers. Altogether, the updated S3 should promise much sharper drive dynamics than before too.

Above the S3, the revised and much hotter Audi RS3 version of which is also expected to see similar performance improvements. Sources online indicate that this performance flagship of the A3 line-up will see its 2.5-litre TFSI 5-cyl turbo heart output more than its current 401 HP figure.