New Audi S3 revealed: £47k hot hatch brings greater focus on handling

• Power increased by 23bhp
• Tweaked suspension design
• Prices start from £46,925

Hot hatchbacks appear to be alive and well in 2024, and the new Audi S3 is the latest model to join the fray. It follows the facelifted Volkswagen Golf GTI and the heavily revised Toyota GR Yaris – both of which appeared earlier this year – although the S3 has always struggled to match these rivals for driver engagement. The new facelift aims to change that, however, and we now have official UK pricing and spec information.

It adopts the same interior and exterior changes revealed with the refreshed Audi A3, including new headlights and a different material palette. Audi will continue to offer the S3 in both Sportback (hatchback) and Saloon bodystyles, with prices starting from £46,925 and £47,490 respectively.

What’s new for the 2024 Audi S3?

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Let's start with what’s under the bonnet – this is a hot hatchback after all. You get the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine as the outgoing car, but a 23bhp power increase brings the new total to 328bhp. Audi claims that software tweaks to the engine and seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox create a sportier driving experience, although the 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds is only fractionally faster than before.

What’s more exciting, however, is the S3’s new ‘torque splitter’ rear differential, pinched from the even-faster Audi RS 3. This device allows torque to be distributed between the rear wheels while cornering, with different driving modes adjusting the split. A new Dynamic Plus driving mode takes advantage of this tech by sending power to the outside wheel while cornering, helping the car feel more playful.

We had the opportunity to drive a prototype Audi S3 in Oman last year and it felt more athletic and responsive than the outgoing car. That was in part thanks to its updated suspension design, consisting of stiffer wishbone bearings and revised geometry. The optional adaptive suspension has been tweaked to work in conjunction with the new torque splitter, and new 19-inch tyres are designed to improve the S3’s handling and braking performance. There are larger brakes up front, too, now measuring 357mm.

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Externally, the changes fall in line with the facelifted A3. That includes a slightly more rounded grille opening, plus new bumpers front and back. The new headlights feature a clever LED arrangement that can display different lighting signatures, adjustable through the infotainment system. The cabin is essentially a carry-over from the outgoing car, minus some new material choices, wider use of ambient lighting, and revised air vent and gear selector designs.

How much does the new Audi S3 cost?

The Audi S3 has never been cheap and – with a £46,925 starting price – that hasn’t changed for the facelifted model. That sum gets you an S3 Sportback in Black Edition trim, while the same car with the Saloon body costs £47,490. Vorsprung models pack even more kit, coming in at £52,400 and £52,965 for Sportback and Saloon models respectively. UK customers can place an order from May 15th.
 

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