A new generation of the Audi A3 compact sedan will be put into showrooms as a 2022 model after 2021, and Audi took the wraps of the sporty S3 variant of the car on Tuesday. The automaker also unveiled the S3 Sportback brochure that we probably won’t see in the United States.
Specifications for the US will be announced closer to the launch of the market, but elsewhere the S3 will have a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 that generates 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The engine will be paired as Parliament to a 7-speed dual-clutch gear and watch the S3 sprint to 62 mph of rest in 4.8 seconds and top out at a steady 155 mph.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tpNxECfPrA
The current S3 is made with a similar engine that delivers 292 hp and 280 lb-ft, as well as a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. In both generations, all-wheel drive is standard.
For improved control, Audi fits the S3 with a sport-controlled suspension that reduces the ride height by 15 millimeters. An adjustable damping system will be available to customers. The control of these dampers is linked to the all-wheel-drive system via the electronic stability control system. The car is also equipped with 18-inch (19-inch available) wheels and a powerful brake system with ventilated rotors and calipers painted black.
2022 Audi S3
The S3 certainly looks out of place with its aggressive fascia design and aero kit which incorporates a chunky trunk member spoiler. Tips for quad-exhaust, a signature Audi S-style treatment, also have features.
As with all versions of the latest A3 family, the interior is a very tech place. A 10.1-inch screen serves as the infotainment hub, while a second screen, 10.25-inch standard and 12.3-inch available, serves as the instrument cluster. Dash accents of aluminum or carbon fibers can be added.
2022 Audi S3
Rivals for the S3 include the BMW M235i Gran Coupe, Cadillac CT4-V, and Mercedes-AMG A35 and CLA35.
Other A3 variants still in the works include more powerful RS 3 and RS 3 Sportback models from Audi Sport. A new A3 plug-in hybrid should also be in the works, possibly in both sedan and hatch body styles this time around (previously, the A3 plug-in hybrid was only available as a brooch).
