New Audi S3 Powers To Head Of Hot Hatch Class

By Motoring Channel Staff - 28/Sep/2006

Paris, France — Audi's new hot hatch, the S3, has broken cover and the big news is that it won't be propelled by 6-cylinders like its rivals when it arrives in Australia in the second quarter of 2007 - yet it will still become the quickest luxury European performance hatch on the market.

Launched to the public at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, the Audi S3 will be the ultimate luxury performance hatch, featuring a 188kW engine and quattro technology.

Where the BMW 130i, Volkswagen Golf R32 and Alfa Romeo 147 GTA are all powered by large 6-cylinder engines around the 3,000cc capacity, Audi has decided to take the 2.0-litre FSI engine from the Golf GTI and tune it to deliver more power than any of its larger rivals.

One of the benefits of using the 2.0-litre turbo engine in its new flagship hatchback model is that the new Audi will have less weight over the front axle than its rivals, and will potentially be able to carry higher corner speeds.

The German press release indicates that the aggressive looking Audi hatch will develop 195kW of power, or about 265bhp, to be sold in Europe. But our Australian contacts at Audi have indicated a detuned version will be offered in Australia, which makes 188kW of power. The reason given for the lowering of the peak power is because of "slight modifications for ‘hot climate’ countries".

Vital statistics for the new 2007 S3 model include 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 225/40 R18s, 6-speed manual gearbox (no DSG at this stage) driving all four wheels via quattro technology, 188kW 2.0-litre turbocharged and intercooled engine, leather and cloth interior and a motor sports inspired steering wheel.

Standard features on all S3 models include automatic air conditioning, driver information system with a new lap-timer function, an anti-theft alarm, front fog lights and powerful xenon headlights with daytime running lights.

Despite the 7kW drop in power over the European version, Audi Australia has indicated that the local version will still power to 100km/h from standstill in 5.7 seconds, which bests the two German's performance hatches, BMW 130i and Volkswagen Golf R32, by 0.5 seconds and the Alfa Romeo by 0.6 seconds. Audi is confident that the S3 will be the quickest European performance hatch when it launches in 2007, and maybe even the quickest performance hatch full stop.

The Audi S3's top speed is an electronically governed 250km/h.

The recently upgraded 2.0-litre TFSI engine is now in its highest state of tune, and delivers 195kW (188kW for Australian S3's) @ 6000rpm, while peak torque of 350Nm @ 2500-5000rpm is once again a class leading figure, besting it's closest Italian and German rivals. As Audi puts it, the direct injection engine displays another welcome character trait, consuming just 9.1 litres of fuel over 100km on the combined cycle – further proof of the forward-looking efficiency of TFSI technology.

Compared with the turbocharged A3, explained Audi, this engine is an advanced version which has undergone fundamental changes. The new turbocharger with its enlarged turbine and compressor rotor generates 1.2 bar or 17.4 psi of boost pressure. This high amount of boost pressure explains how the engine generates its surprisingly high levels of torque, and if not for the modified intercooler, which significantly lowers the temperature of the compressed air, the engine would overheat and cease to function consistently at such high levels.

The increase in turbo boost pressure necessitated a number of engine component upgrades, so Audi added new pistons with stronger pins and strengthened connecting rods, while new bearings transmit the powerful forces to the crankshaft. The cylinder block has been stiffened up and the head is made of a new, highly heat-resistant alloy, as the stronger turbo response generates much higher levels of heat than the standard 147kW TFSI 2.0-litre engine. Audi says that exhaust camshaft timing has been adjusted to accommodate the increased power output and new high-pressure injectors with an enlarged cross-section squirt the fuel straight into the combustion chamber.

As was mentioned earlier, the bonus of having a smaller 1,984cc engine means that less weight hangs over the front axle and makes for a better distribution of weight front to rear (and hence improved handling), and despite all the progressive engineering the high-performance turbo weighs in at just 152 kilos.

The engine's 195kW (265bhp) is transmitted to all four wheels via a 6-speed, close-ratio manual gearbox, and all the components in the drivetrain have been strengthened to cope with the high level of engine torque. Audi insists that gearshift travel has been reduced for S3 models making for quicker gear shifts, and as is the case for all Audi S models, the S3 drives all four wheels by means of quattro permanent four-wheel drive. More precisely, an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, positioned at the rear for the benefit of weight balance, distributes the torque as needed between the front and rear axles, which it says helps to deliver plenty of grip and also ensures maximum driving safety.

Matching the S3's ferocious turbocharged powertrain is a chassis that will delight drivers in search of the ultimate in compact performance car. Firstly, Audi dropped the car's ride height by 25mm, which not only adds to its aggressive stance on the road, but also improves it's centre of gravity. The suspension system is based on that of the A3, but with a number of performance upgrades, including changes to the front and rear subframes, the triangulated lower wishbones at the front and four-link suspension at the rear.

Body roll has been reduced over the standard Audi A3 models via stiffer springs and shockers, while expensive aluminium pivot bearings and wishbones help reduce the weight of the front suspension. Audi explains that stiffer suspension mounts and a sportier characteristic for the electro-mechanical steering system will help convey even greater dynamism and precision when driven, while 18-inch alloy wheels and 225/40 tyres will ensure firm adhesion to the road surface. Deceleration is taken car of by a larger diameter 17-inch brake system with sports brake pads that improve stopping distances, while the black painted calipers bear S3 emblems adding a sporty element to the car's appearance.

Other modifications to the 3-door performance car's exterior styling - and some are already saying it's not different enough to the standard A3 with the sports bodykit - include the familiar Audi single-frame grille with a sports chrome finish, which in tandem with the new front apron (including a lower spoiler and larger air-intakes) adds a hint of sophistication and lots of menace. The side skirts are also new, and at the rear a contrasting platinum grey diffuser is built into the rear apron along with two S-style oval chrome tailpipes, while a decent sized roof spoiler finishes the rear end visual treatment.

Audi's famed S models are most widely recognised for their subtle sporty looks yet deadly serious performance, but the 'S' transformation also transforms the interior to provide the driver with all the tools needed for defiant driving, and the S3 benefits from a number of upgrades, first and foremost of which are the cloth/leather combination sports seats with prominent side bolsters to keep bodies in place during hard cornering. The black headlining (also available in silver) gives the interior a sombre ambiance and the new instrument cluster with its special dials and needles provide the telemetry needed most, such as engine and road speed, clearly and instantly. Aluminium look pedals, gear knob and air vents add sparkle, as the red and silver S3 emblem (located on the leather sports steering wheel, instrument cluster, gear knob and door sill trims/scuff plates) communicates the sporty nature of the car.

For potential buyers who like adding the optional extras, the S3 doesn't disappoint, and one of the most popular options is expected to be the flat-bottomed leather steering wheel (a la Golf GTI). The flat bottomed motorsport steering wheel makes egress and ingress easier, but most of all looks very swish. There's also folding bucket seats, an LCD screen/infotainment area, and a new generation audio system.

German pricing for the new class leading Audi S3 performance hatch is E35,150, but no word on Australian pricing has been released. It is expected to be about double that price, at around $70,000 when it arrives here locally in the second quarter of 2007.