Audi S3 Sportback docks down under

Back in April AUSmotive brought you pictures of the S3 Sportback, now, you can go to your local Audi dealer and see one for yourself. The five-door über hatch is 72mm longer than the three-door and Audi expects the Sportback to account for over two-thirds of Australian S3 sales. Local deliveries start in November, although I’ve heard of at least one customer receiving his S3 Sportback already.

The addition of the Sportback model ties in with a mid-cycle refresh for the 8P A3 range. Apart from the cosmetic tweaks, mostly to do with the light clusters, customers can now option some pretty trick gear on the S3 that has been previously unavailable. Technology such as Audi magnetic ride (as seen on the R8 and TT) and Audi Park Assist can now be added for $2,400 and $950 respectively.

The S3 is a lovely piece of kit, 188kW in a small car generally helps. Starting at $68,310 plus on roads, the introduction of a five-door model to the range will no doubt broaden the car’s appeal.

You know the drill, more pics and words below.

The New Audi A3 Sportback Lands In Australia

• Top-of-the-range model priced from $68,310
• First-time options available including Audi magnetic ride and Audi Park Assist
• New exterior and interior design details featured

The new flagship of the A3 range – the Audi S3 Sportback – has arrived.

Priced at $68,310 RRP, this dynamic and sporty addition further enhances the class-leading A3 range.

The new Audi S3 Sportback comes with the renowned 2.0 TFSI engine, category class winner for four successive years at the International Engine of the Year awards. With an output of 188 kW, this powerful turbo charged direct injection engine catapults the new S3 Sportback into the exclusive class of fast compact sports cars. Maximum torque of 330 Nm is constantly available from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm.

The new S3 Sportback sprints to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds with a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h. However, the high-tech four-cylinder consumes an average of just 8.5 litres per 100 km on the combined cycle – further proof of Audi’s successful efficiency strategy.

A six-speed manual transmission with reduced shift travel is featured in the new S3 Sportback. It transmits the high-performance engine’s output to the quattro
powertrain which is fitted as standard in all of Audi’s S models.

An electronically-controlled, hydraulic multi-plate clutch, which is located in the rear for better weight balance, distributes the torque as required, ensuring
uncompromising grip and maximum driving safety.

The A3’s already excellent chassis has been further refined in the S3 Sportback. Aluminium swivel bearings and wishbones reduce the unsprung masses to attain even greater dynamics. Stiffer chassis bearings and the electromechanical steering’s sportier characteristic curve increase precision.

The sports suspension integrates a range of lightweight aluminium components, and lowers the body by 25 mm. A 17” brake system with sports brake pads ensures reliable deceleration and the black calipers at the front bear S3 emblems.

At a length of 4,302 mm, the new S3 Sportback is +72mm longer than its 3-door stable-mate and stands +3mm higher. Overall width remains the same at
1,765 mm.

Available for the first time in this model range, the S3 Sportback can be optioned with Audi magnetic ride. As seen in the R8 and TT, Audi magnetic ride is an electronic suspension control system. A synthetic hydrocarbon oil, in which magnetic particles with a grain size of just three to ten micrometres are enclosed, circulates in the shock absorber plungers. Audi magnetic ride is available as a $2,400 option.

Audi Park Assist is a new system that uses special ultrasonic sensors on the driver and passenger sides to determine a suitable sized parallel parking space. If a space is sufficiently large enough to reverse into, corresponding information is displayed in the instrument cluster and once reverse gear is engaged the Park Assist system performs the necessary steering movements while the driver performs longitudinal movements by operating the brake, accelerator and clutch. The system is priced at $950.

The new S3 Sportback features exterior design cues including a chrome-plated radiator grille, vertical double bars, and a front bumper with powerful spoiler lip.

Chrome rings border the fog lamps. A platinum grey diffuser and two large oval exhaust tailpipes sharpen up the rear as do the redesigned tail light clusters. S-specific exterior mirrors with indicators round out the design. Fitted as standard are new S design 18” alloy wheels and Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights.

Inside, embossed Silk Nappa leather sport seats, S design multi-function leather sports steering wheel, BOSE speaker system and Bluetooth mobile phone preparation are amongst some of the many standard features. From the Audi exclusive quattro GmbH range, a new flat-bottom design multi-function leather sports steering wheel is also available as an option. Aluminium-look pedals and S3 door sill strips come as standard to enhance the sporty appeal of this new model.

Safety is not compromised as the new S3 Sportback comes standard with an Electronic Stabilisation Program ESP incorporating ABS, Traction Control ASR, and an Electronic Differential Lock EDL. SIDEGUARD head and curtain airbags for front and rear passengers, together with side and front airbags round out the passive safety package.

Customer deliveries of the new Audi S3 Sportback commence next month with this top-of-the-range model expected to represent almost 70% of all S3 sales over the next 12 months. Since 1999, Audi in Australia has sold 650 S3 models. The current generation S3 3-door, which was launched mid-2007, has sold more than 260 to date.

PDF downloads

• Audi S3 brochure (450kb)
• Audi S3 Sportback technical data (24kb)