2025 Audi S3: Bringing Some RS 3 Magic Into the Mix
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The road heading down the mountains of Dhofar in Oman is like a mini-Stelvio Pass, with plenty of turns including a few hairpins. This is where we got the opportunity to drive a camouflaged prototype of the upcoming new Audi S3. With neon orange accents on the front fascia and wheels, it looked almost like a trail running shoe.
Inside, only the instruments and centre display remained visible on the dashboard, as everything else was kept under wraps to hide the final design of the cockpit.
While pushing the S3 at high speeds, we noticed that the car is eager to attack corners and happy to drift when sprinting out of them, showing an even more playful side than its predecessor. One reason for that is the addition of a Torque Splitter from the almighty RS 3.
The Difference Maker
Arguably the ace up the new S3’s sleeve, the Torque Splitter consists of two multi-plate clutches that handle torque vectoring from one side to the other. In Dynamic Plus mode, it sends more torque to the outside wheel, causing the little sedan to oversteer.
This new system positively enhances handling when compared with the previous S3. Forget about a Drift mode, however. The only way to enjoy that is with the RS 3, which we also got to sample on a closed track back in the fall of 2021.
Other than the Torque Splitter, the new S3 benefits from revised front suspension geometry with a McPherson strut design that doubles wheel camber for quicker turn-in. Additionally, a progressive steering system means the more you turn the steering wheel, the more direct steering becomes.
Extra Power and Torque
The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine nestled under the hood now generates 328 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Just as important, the turbo is pre-loaded in order to ensure immediate throttle response, and shifts from the S tronic tranmission are twice as fast as before. The result is 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds.
To handle that extra performance, the S3 is fitted with 18-inch ventilated discs and dual-piston callipers up front, plus Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires in a size of 235/35R19.
Despite being quicker and more potent, the new S3 isn’t blessed with an exceptional powerplant like the 2.5-litre five-cylinder in the RS 3, which sadly is not available in Canada, but as we’ve mentioned above, the addition of the Torque Splitter combined with other chassis optimization makes the car more playful and more fun to drive than in the past.
Again, we need to remind you that we tested a pre-production prototype that was still wearing camouflage on the exterior and concealing part of its interior. We expect an official debut to take place later this year, at which point we’ll be able to comment on styling, technology and refinement.
The new 2025 Audi S3 sports sedan will arrive in Canadian showrooms next winter. Pricing will be announced closer to launch. The five-door Sportback variant that’s available in Europe and other markets is still not slated to come to Canada, which is a real shame.
