Updates in the Audi S3 adds to more power and more ‘genau’ to an already exciting equation. Some say that it now has more RS 3 DNA!

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Photos: Clifford Chow, Audi Germany
Text: Clifford Chow

MUNICH, GERMANY

Spring in Bavaria brings us wet roads, grey skies and this matt black facelifted Audi S3 Sportback. With temperatures hovering beautiful between 6°C to 8°C, and with a constant flurry of rain invoking happy tummy butterflies, I set-off on a quick drive from Munich Airport, which is Audi’s training grounds. I’d say that I am quite the happy camper in Audi’s compact performance hatch. I build speed as I board the German autobahn, and this is where everything about this hatchback comes together.

I am saying all this while cruising, with the drive mode set in “Comfort”. Apart from the larger rims and less sidewall from the tyres giving away its performance leanings, the S3 soaks up the bumps without complaint, being almost as comfortable as the A3 I also took for a first drive on this same trip. With a squeeze on the throttle to pass traffic, this is when the S3 sets itself apart from the Brot-und-Butter A3… by distance and also by how that turbocharged 2.0 commits to making that (virtual) needle climb.

The cabin, like in the pre-facelifted S3, is just-as driver-oriented, and cocoons you enough to enjoy this bit of drivin heaven. To set it apart from the A3, there is that visual treat of red stitching across the interior, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and a fancy ice-hockey stick rev counter, like the one found in the RS 3. To make everything come alive, a red-rimmed “Start” button. However, there are some improvements to the infotainment, where it now allows you to download third-party apps from the app store. This makes getting into the car a little more seamless, since you do not need to have the apps like Spotify on your phone on, in-order to enjoy that quirky playlist that’s just yours.

Now the fun bit on how it really drives

I exit the highway onto a B-road, where I predict a few twists ahead, so I put the S3 into their new ‘Dynamic Plus’ drive mode. Right away, that Akrapovič quad exhaust system comes to life, delivering a heavier drone. Here, I begin to feed more right-foot, and the engine goes on-cam. A once relaxed hatchback takes on a different demeanour, with a hunger to cover more ground quicker. Audi taken the time to squeeze more performance out from that EA888, which now produces 328hp and 420Nm - 23hp and 20Nm more than before.

I lift-off the throttle before a bend, and get rewarded with tailpipe crackle, just as the wheels bite into the turn. Even on the wet, the S3 feels supremely planted. Audi has done good work making their hot hatch an even more fun car to drive, with the addition of a torque splitter to its rear differential. We spoke to the product representative at Audi before taking the S3 for a spin, where he confirmed that the differential is the same as in the one found in the mental RS 3.

In ‘Dynamic Plus’ mode, Audi set the torque splitter to induce oversteer, with very little in the way of intervention by the electronic stabilisation control (ESC). Of-course, we would have liked to experience the new rear diff on full-whack. But unfortunately, there was no opportunity for us to go harder on the throttle, to coax that rear-end to step out, as we were entering a residential area for our photoshoot.

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I know that there are those who might be thinking: “Well, the RS 3 is a better car.” I would agree with that notion, especially since that was the first car I got successfully sideways for a good 100m-or-so (legally), while being coached by a certain Rudi Venter; whom some say, spent his younger days in a lekker career on my side of the fence, before trading it all up for a suit.

But that is another story for another day.

But back in the S3, you’d know that the compact hot hatch is built for a different crowd. It is externally less salient than its 5-cyl brethren...  therefore you can quite easily fly under the radar. It is for all intents, that sleeper you can daily, and still not break the bank (so much).

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2024 Audi S3 Sportback

Drivetrain type	Petrol engine
Engine	1,984cc, inline 4, turbocharged
Power	328hp
Torque	420Nm at 2100-5500rpm
Gearbox	7-speed dual-clutch
0-100km/h	4.7 seconds
Top Speed	250km/h (limited)
Fuel Efficiency	8.7L-8.1/100km
VES Band	TBC
Agent	Premium Automobiles
Price	TBC
Availability	June 2024
Verdict	Audi's small hot hatch just got much better. New rear differential is a huge plus for those who love to carve corners!

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