Revolutionary performance upgrades for Sportback, Sedan

AUDI South Africa has significantly updated their S3 Sportback hatch and the Sedan with styling cues, an increase in power and mechanical revisions that give the pair a true hot hatch and sedan flavour.

- WILLEM VAN DE PUTTE

WHERE power meets RS3 handling tech. | Supplied

All about performance

Two key changes make these vehicles game-changers in the segment.

The first is under the bonnet with the familiar 2.0 TFSI engine upgraded to 245kW and 420Nm, an increase of 32kW and 20Nm. It provides smoother and stronger acceleration and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.7 seconds for both versions and a limited top speed of 250km/h.

The seven-speed S tronic transmission has been tweaked for a sharper takeoff and quicker shifts, while the turbocharger has been enhanced with pre-loading and optimised throttle response.

The most significant change, especially for those who appreciate pinpoint handling at speed and in corners, is the inclusion of a torque splitter taken from the performance RS 3. It allows an electronically controlled multiple disk clutch on each drive shaft to distribute the torque between the rear wheel on the inside and the outside of the curve.

The suspension has been refined using wishbones with stiffer bearings and new pivot bearings that allow for increased negative wheel camber.

The overall result is improved steering response, better stability and a far less chance of understeer.

Coupled with a new dynamic plus mode that sends power primarily to the outer rear wheel, the S3 is heaps of fun to drive around the track or on the skidpan.

All the power and technology means that stopping power needs to be enhanced.