Available now in Germany for the price of €38,900 and €39,800, the S3 and S3 Sportback respectively receive the fast shifting S tronic dual-clutch transmission for its 2.0-liter TFSI engine. Producing 195 kW (265 hp) and maximum torque of 350 Nm (258 lb-ft), which remains constant from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm, the S3 reduces its sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) by two-tenths of a second, in just 5.5 seconds for the S3 and 5.6 seconds for the Sportback. Meanwhile, fuel consumption has improved to 8.3 liters/100km (28.34 mpg) with CO2 emissions of just 193 g/km (310.60 g/mile) (A3 Sportback: 8.4 liters/100km (28.00 mpg) and 195 g/km (313.82 g/mile).
Audi S3 and S3 Sportback get S-tronic in Germany
2009 Audi S3
By Brian Potter
November 17, 2008 2:49 PM
Filed Under: Audi, German
Press Release (Click to expand)
Audi S3 and S3 Sportback with S tronic
- Efficient and fast dual-clutch transmission for the S3
- Quicker acceleration paired with even higher fuel efficiency
- Particularly sporty combination in the compact class
- Available now
A milestone in transmission technology is now available in the Audi S3 and S3 Sportback sporty compact models. The S tronic dual-clutch transmission unites the powerful two-liter TFSI engine with the road in a manner that is both sporty and efficient. This ensures quicker acceleration, high agility and ride comfort along with improved fuel efficiency.
A genuine marvel of engineering, the revolutionary S tronic dual-clutch transmission has been a sensation ever since it debuted in the Audi TT 3.2 quattro in spring 2003. It combines the advantages of a compact six-speed manual transmission with the qualities of a modern automatic. The driver thus benefits from enormous agility and driving pleasure with acceleration that is both harmonious and dynamic, without any perceptible interruption in the power flow. This is coupled with good economy thanks to low fuel consumption, and convenient operation.
The ultracompact S tronic with twin multi-plate clutch can simultaneously preselect two gears. With its ingenious electrohydraulic operation, it shifts from one gear to the next in a split second. It can thus enable engine torque as high as 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft).
The powerhouse engine in the S3 is an ideal partner: the 2.0 TFSI has already won the "Engine of the Year Award" four times. It supplies 195 kW (265 hp) and maximum torque of 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft), which remains constant from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. At a weight of just 152 kilograms (335.10 pounds), this turbocharged direct-fuel-injection engine propels the Audi S3 and the S3 Sportback into the exclusive class of compact sports cars.
The S tronic makes the dynamic spearhead of the A3 family even speedier. It further reduces, by two-tenths of a second, the time required to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (0 to 62.14 mph). More specifically, in just 5.5 seconds for the S3 and 5.6 seconds for the Sportback. At the same time, fuel consumption has improved to 8.3 liters/100km (28.34 mpg) with CO2 emissions of just 193 g/km (310.60 g/mile) (A3 Sportback: 8.4 liters/100km (28.00 mpg) and 195 g/km (313.82 g/mile).
Both of these sporty models are now available at dealerships: the S3 for €38,900 and the S3 Sportback for €39,800.
Comments
lucifa
November 17, 2008 3:21 PM
it does look good. especially in that blue.
sub39h
November 17, 2008 5:09 PM
this is OLD news... the Audi UK offered the S3 S-tronic from 1st October, and i'm betting we're slightly behind the germans
RS5
November 17, 2008 11:30 PM
The 1 series was made in hatch form before it came to the US in the form of a coupe and convertible. Get your facts straight before criticizing others.
Tuner_Mad
November 17, 2008 11:50 PM
Guys, all he said is that he prefers this (which I do) to the 1-series. Don't get all factual and nerdy on it. It's his opinion.
sub39h
November 17, 2008 7:45 PM
indeed, what you say makes no sense. for starters, the 135i is only available in coupe form, not hatch form. whilst i agree it's a monster of an engine, the 130i which is the natural competitor is not as good a car i feel.
i've driven them both as i intended to buy one of them, and whilst the 1 Series had marginally better handling when you were really on it, the S3 was better built, cheaper, more refined, more economical, has a better gearbox (when you compare S-tronic to Steptronic it does at least), does 0-60 faster, has more mid range torque, is better looking, has a better interior, holds it's value better and the added security of quattro when the weather gets bad is invaluable.
if you REALLY wanted a drivers car you wouldn't go for the 1 Series anyway. The Golf GTI, Honda Civic and Ford Focus ST all handle better and are considerably cheaper, and if you're going to spend the £35k odd asking price for a 135i coupe why not "be a man" and get a Porsche Cayman?
PS it's not based on a Polo, it's based on the Golf chassis, which with it's 4 point multilink rear suspension is considered one of the best around. Additionally, the A3 was put on sale about 18 months BEFORE the Mk 5 Golf, which would mean that the chassis truly belongs to the A3, and not the Golf.
Michael
November 17, 2008 6:37 PM
Freude, do you have a Freudian complex or what? Grave use the word stupid referring to a car. It's not nice to make him stupid. He just said his opinion in this respect. A normal person would apologize for using such words when referring to another person... I like both BMW 1 series and Audi S3 and I'm not a girl. Saying that only a girl would drive such a car is another offence, especially when comes from a man...
RS5
November 17, 2008 11:32 PM
And where do you get your stats Freude? Show me some proof. You meant it as an offense and now you're trying to refute your statement. Nice try. Obviously men tend to be more intersted than women in cars so feminizing a company would be taken offensively. You don't know what you're talking about. Go grow up you troll.
CaymanRSpdk
November 17, 2008 11:36 PM
Well boys, with regard to the Audi vs. BMW argument, shall we put this to rest once and for all? Just search out the facts on the Internet and decide for yourselves. If you research every racing series that both Audi and BMW have ever competed in together, you will discover that Audi has so thoroughly dominated that BMW drops out and stops competing or lodges a formal protest that Audi has an unfair advantage with quattro, and attempts to have Audi banned from the series. Look it up and convince yourselves. I have owned at least one of each of these marques in every series (sedans and sports cars, no SUV’s), as well as, 4 Porsches and personal experience in both racing and daily driving has proven that the Audi is the superior machine over the BMW in every class segment. The only advantage the BMW has ever been able to legitimately claim is the handling dynamics and the tossability of its rear drive. Today, with Audi’s new quattro 40/60 rear traction bias and sports differential, even that advantage has been completely negated. Audi’s racing prowess has existed from the very beginning and continues today. As far back as pre-World War II the Auto Union (Audi) Silver Arrows completely dominated Gran Prix racing (forerunner of F1), dominating over both Mercedes Benz and BMW. The Auto Union Silver Arrows were designed by no other than Ferdinand Porsche! And finally, there's no getting around the fact that Audi will forever be the "A" car and BMW the "B" car. IMHO contributors to this forum who express fanatical opinions, but who have never driven either marque, let alone driven them in competition, are simply a source of mild amusement.
wisp
November 18, 2008 12:59 PM
It's stupid for one to say that the 130i natural competitor is the S3. Only id!ots think like that coz the 130i in any case squares up with the A3 3.2. Why does Audi always skew things by throwing in a sports version of the S3 to compete against the 130i when they have in their stable an A3, 3.2? It's coz they know that their 3.2 is an under achiever even their A3 2.0 T performes better than their 3.2.
Their 135i on the other hand is incomperable to their A3 range. The 135i is a monster of a small car and it's build quality is way good. ask any car mag in South Africa, this car is an icon already and it's started to fill the streets coz of it's ability. The S3 is a good car in it's own rights but to call the 135i stupid is plain garbage talk and only one with scarmbled brains can come up with such a statement.
wisp
November 18, 2008 1:23 PM
Cayman, this is the second time you are trying to use the same lie on Audi vs BMW racing heritage. Like i said before the two have never really squared up fairly except of course in the production car series as in RSA Class A. The A4 won last year based on it's quattro and the relatively short courses and mostly the fact that most races were wet. This year though the Organisers saw that the rear driven cars had a disadvantage based on the size of the tyres. They increased the tyres from 17" to 18". Guess what? the quattro system now forever prays for rains coz in the dry they struggle terribly. The 350Z and the 330i plus the Subaru are right up there. Oh by the way the 330i was introduced last year into the series but the fact that it was left hand gave it a huge disadvantage as the drivers who have driven right hand cars all their lives suddently had to learn to drive left hand cars. Lastly this years BMW's as is the Subaru are Privateer teams as against Nissan and Audi (manufacturers). If a Privater team is beating a manufacturers team then there's a problem. Audi and BMW will never face each other on equal footing but if you take the second place and #rd place finish in the 2007 paris Dakar Rally by the the X3 lightly then you can go have your head checked. I sincerely do not remember Audi featuring in this race at all. Why not coz they say they have the best wheel traction? coz they are afraid of being beaten to sh!t by the Jap cars and other french and German cars - that's why. Le mans is soon going to be Puegeots, so carry on with DTM (up against Merc). If you know who Andy Prilaux (speling) is you wouldn't even mention BMW's racing history since the 1970's. It's good but there have been bigger and better racers like ford and Ferrari even honda for goodness sakes. Stop lying and go read this link as it clearly shows you facts on your S3 claims of being better than the 135i being the load of sh!t it is. Get real and tell us facts not to say that Audi is the best brand coz it ain't and niether is BMW. Watch top gear and count how many times they count Audi or BMW's as good cars - as much as once in a blue moon. http://www.eurodrivers.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=12871
wisp
November 18, 2008 1:28 PM
This Cayman guy is 100years old. He's talking bullsh!t cavemen history, when today Ferrari and Maclaren Merc are dominating F1. Where is Audi in the Pinnacle of Motorsports. Ok! lets wait for 2009 Le mans - Let's see what car Audi will feature in the class that the GTR and ASTON Martin will run. I think BMW will feature their M3 although it will get beat but i sure hope Audi will feature their RS5 or S5 (that will be a laugh - imagine the drag after 24 hours with that big grill). The R8 maybe. I surely do see Puegeot tramping you next year in the prototypes. Be ready for a thumping or raining of overtakes. Now this is modern racing and not Silver arrows racing that not even "Charlie Chaplin knew".
fusion01
December 23, 2008 8:18 AM
What is fanastic is that with a 30% power gain over the MK5 GTI, you're still getting the same fuel consumption and emission figures. Amazing stuff.
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