The next-generation Audi S3 has made an outing in prototype guise, previewing an eleven-strong next-generation A3 model line-up due before 2022.
Spotted here in five-door hatchback form, using the current car's MFA platform, the A3 will also have four-door saloon and five-door liftback variants. The latter is expected to take the Sportback name from the five-door hatchback, while that variant will be simply badged A3, as the three-door A3 was discontinued last year. Regular and S3-badged convertible models will complete the line-up, although, as is currently the case, there will be no RS3 drop-top.
The other variants will also gain S3 and RS3-badged models, meaning eleven cars will make up the A3 range. With competition from the BMW M140i and upcoming Mercedes-AMG A35 covering the 300-335bhp bracket, the S3 is expected to stay within these limits, with 325bhp mooted by sources.
If it follows the example set by the TTS, with which the current S3 shares an engine, it will get a petrol particulate filter. This has reduced power slightly to 302bhp, but a boost of 15lb ft has taken torque up to 295lb ft. The TTS ditched its six-speed manual gearbox for a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, too.
The RS3, meanwhile, will likely increase in power, with 400bhp-plus opposition from the Mercedes-AMG A45 on the way. Audi remains tight-lipped on its future plans, but it's expected to keep the 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit from the current car.
This 11-car line-up will cover all the bases covered by the Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback and saloon and CLA coupé ranges, including the 35 and 45-badged AMG variants.
The styling of the new A3, as seen on the spied development car, will follow the rest of the Audi range with a more geometric front-end treatment and sharper tail-lights. Inside, there'll be Audi's Virtual Cockpit as standard, with a choice of two infotainment screen sizes.
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Ubberfrancis44
Absolute beast this car will
eseaton
'Audi S3' and 'absolute beast
Unless you consider a muntjac deer to be the definition of an 'absolute beast'.
Marc
Ubberfrancis44 wrote:
Only on your local ring road.
Davemajor
An absolute beast? Hmm. 140i
An absolute beast? Hmm. 140i has 340bhp and 400lb torque. More like a kitten.
smf1
are you having a laugh?? the
are you having a laugh?? the S3 runs circles around the 140i
Davemajor
LOL
Are you just an Audi fanboy or clueless. Ive had an S4 and a 3.2 TT, and the 140i could easily outrun them. Take a look at laptimes and on the road reviews. I love Audi's and BMW's, but the 140i burns the S3 hands down. Not only in acceleration, but bhp and torque. If you want to go that far, it also comes in on track times less than a second behind an RS3. A Golf R is nearly 4 seconds behind and the current S3, 3 seconds behind. Who runs rings around it you fool?
xxxx
2019?
5 door version next year? I'd be surprized as the life span for A3 sportback is usually at least 7 years from point of sale.
Still like the car and it'll be worth waiting for (I've always had a soft spot for the underated S3)
typos1 - Just can’t respect opinion
FM8
xxxx wrote:
Zzzz... He's back again, the keyboard warrior. This time I'm even more angry than last! How about you enlighten us on how you know the model cycle timing of the A3, work for Audi do you? And, how UNDERRATED do you believe the S3 is? TWIT. I'm so angry this time, my testicles feel like they're about to explode, I need to find a man to massage them.
FMS
xxxx wrote:
You going to actually buy one, with your own money?. The never answered question is, what do you own and drive just now?. Your 86MY sofa?.
Who else underrates the S3?...as usual, no facts to back up the ill thought out speculation. TWIT
eseaton
Imagine having to write this
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