Audi announces fresh S3 Sportback and S4 Avant

Friday, 14 August 2020

Audi has confirmed the refreshed S3 Sportback will touch down in New Zealand early on in 2021.

The hot hatch get a new Singleframe look up from with a large rhombus-patterned grille and large air inlets. A similar aesthetic exists at the back, with a diffuser sitting above the quartet of exhaust pipes.

Size-wise, the new S3 has grown by 3cm in length and width, pushing measurements to 4.35 metres in length and 1.82 metres in width with a wheelbase of 2.63 metres.

This is the new S3, a 225kW/400Nm certified hot hatchback.

Inside is a new centre console, with a new stubby 911-style gear selector surrounded by angular eye-candy. A 10.25-inch digital display sits behind the steering wheel while another 10.1-inch display running the next generation of MMI (Multi Media Interface, Audi's in-car operating system) takes care of infotainment responsibilities.

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The S4 will still go like hell, thanks to a 260kW/500Nm 3.0-litre V6 under the bonnet.

Carbon fibre and silver trim dot the interior while the driver’s side looks like the cockpit of a plane.

A 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder offers 228kW of power and 400Nm of torque, enough to send the Sportback to 100kmh in 4.8 seconds. The only transmission will be a seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox and, of course, quattro is standard fare.

The standard suspension is 15mm lower than the cooking A3 and Audi will install the optional S-specific suspension if you want. This adds adaptive dampers to adjust the ride for any given driving situation.

If you can’t wait for the S3 Sportback and would rather a wagon anyway, Audi has also announced the refreshed S4 Avant is hitting dealerships now.

The new S4 Avant gets a redesigned Singleframe grille with more horizontal lines to “emphasise the width front at the front and rear.” More creases can be seen on the sides while the headlights are now full automatic Matrix LED units as standard.

Inside is the updated MMI interface packaged into a 10.1-inch floating display while the interior looks noticeably last-gen compared to the S3.

In fact, the S4 Avant as a whole looks slightly older than the Sportback, owing to the fact the current A4 dates back to 2015 while Audi debuted the new A3 earlier this year.

That’s not to say it looks bad, in fact the comparatively lower-tech interior is quite refreshing.

The S4 Avant sources thrust from a 260kW/500Nm 3.0-litre V6 with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Expect to hit 100kmh in 4.8 seconds. Sports suspension with damper control is standard kit too.

Pricing and final specifications for the S3 Sportback are yet to be announced while the S4 Avant starts at $122,500.