OVERVIEW

Slotting between the regular A3 and hot-shot RS3, the S3 hot hatch now has added firepower and added attitude as part of a 2025 upgrade.

Key to that is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine now making 245kW and 420Nm, 17kW/20Nm more than before.

That’s enough to launch both sedan and hatch (or Sportback) body styles to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds, a modest  0.1 second improvement.

The engine also benefits from the addition of another drive mode - Dynamic+ - as part of software tweaks with this refresh.

Drive is channelled to all four wheels via Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system and a seven-speed S-tronic twin-clutch automatic transmission.

But the new S3 also picks up more track-focused hardware in the form of the torque splitter rear differential.

Previously reserved for the hotter RS3 (and the Volkswagen Golf R that shares much of its hardware with the S3), the more advanced way of apportioning drive between the rear wheels is all about upping the pace, poise and driver involvement.

Priced from $78,800 plus on-road costs for the Sportback or another $3000 for the sedan, the S3 costs $24,000 more than the regular A3 it shares its body with.

Like the regular A3 the S3 sedan and Sportback come with a digital instrument cluster, smart key entry, tri-zone ventilation, parking sensors front and rear, wireless phone charging, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control and a suite of active safety systems, including blind spot warning, exit warning and active lane assist.

But the S3 variants also also pick up more gear, including 19-inch alloys, matrix LED headlights, a 15-speaker Sonos 3D unit with unique aluminium speaker grilles, power adjustable front seats and the ability to change the colour of the ambient lighting.

Seats are trimmed in Nappa leather as part of a trim upgrade that also incorporates more matte metallic exterior highlights - including the mirror caps - and red brake callipers.

The aggressive quad exhaust system is the full stop on the design package.

There are also adaptive dampers and firmer sport suspension that rides 15mm lower, adding to the more aggressive stance.

Various options for the S3 include a $1450 Launch Edition Package that brings unique five-spoke alloys, carbon dash inlays, tinted windows, black exterior design highlights and the projection of the S logo on the ground.

A $5850 Carbon Package gets most of those upgrades as well as more carbon highlights outside, including the mirror caps and spoiler.

The $3300 Premium Plus Package adds a head-up display, panoramic sunroof and memory functions for the driver’s seat and mirrors.

The black exterior style pack can also be optioned on its own for $1560 and is expected to be taken up by most buyers.

There’s also an optional Akrapovic titanium exhaust for another $9900.

The S3 requires servicing every 12 months or 15,000km and a pre-paid service pack covering the first five check-ups costs $2890.

DRIVE IMPRESSIONS

Looks aren’t everything and the real beauty of the updated Audi S3 lurks deep beneath the unchanged sheetmetal.

While the design of this 2025 update has been freshened it’s now closer than ever to the A3 it’s based on.

Blame it on the step-up in the regular A3 - not in performance, but in sporty aesthetics.

The A3 now comes standard with the S Line styling kit that adds visual pizazz.

Much of that kit is shared with the S3.

Sure, there are differences, the most notable of which are the new grille and bumpers, the lower outer sections of the front bumpers in the S3 including functional ducts for additional cooling. The red brakes of the S3 and matte finishes also sharpen the aesthetics.

And from behind there’s a quartet of exhausts that instantly talks to its go-fast intent.

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo was never undernourished but we haven’t met a driving enthusiast who doesn’t welcome more punch.

The 245kW and 420Nm nicely lives up to the hot hatch moniker.

There’s great thrust low in the rev range and the excitement builds as revs rise.

At the top-end it’s pulling strongly and is difficult to envisage too many circumstances when you’d need more on the road.

Our car had the optional Akrapovic exhaust that adds a sharper, crackling soundtrack.

I’m not sure I’d be slapping down almost $10K to tweak the noise of what is already a purposeful-sounding car, but there will be some that no doubt crave the differentiation.

Cruising on a freeway it can grumble in its loudest mode, but it’s easy enough to quieten in the drive mode settings; you can also set an Individual mode that allows adjustment of steering, drivetrain, suspension and exhaust independently.

And there’s more to choose, too, with the 2025 S3.

Select Dynamic+ to hold onto gears longer and sharpen the shifts.

It’s best left to maximum attacks, although the higher 1300rpm idle speed (with mild turbo pre-load) helps it hop off the line quicker by getting the engine closer to its sweet spot.

The seven-speed twin-clutch auto is slick shifting and dishes up well spaced ratios.

And being an Audi performance model it continues to drive all four wheels as part of the brand’s quattro all-wheel drive system.

The addition of the trickier rear differential that was previously exclusive to the RS3 helps better divert drive to the wheels with grip.

The torque-splitting diff’ can apportion more drive to the outside rear wheel, in turn helping pivot the car more assertively under hard acceleration. Instead of just the front wheels doing the turning, the rears can effectively chime in as part of the improved dynamic equation.

You won’t notice anything cruising around town, but punch out of tighter bends with some pace on board and there’s more of a rear-drive flavour to the way the S3 behaves.

In short it points more assertively and fires out of corners with more precision, the quattro system not only sniffing out every ounce of traction but also dialling up the driver involvement. All of which makes the nuggety compact car feel lighter and more nimble on its feet.

While it’s tuned towards pace, the S3 is also respectably comfortable over bumps. Even with the dampers in their stiffest mode it’s not harsh. Activate Comfort and the S3 is thoroughly acceptable in the way it disposes of bumps.

The biggest gripe is some tyre noise at speed, something exacerbated by aggressive road surfaces.

Inside, there’s more to separate the S3 from A3.

The S3 gets plenty of sporty touches, including supportive leather sports seats with red stitching and integrated headrests, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and red trim accents throughout.

Build quality is top-shelf and tilting the major controls towards the driver reinforces the focus of the car.

There’s also a refreshing level of practicality and space for a car engineered to deliver on excitement.

Rear occupants won’t exactly be splaying their legs in all directions, but there’s enough knee space for most.

Headroom in the hatch is slightly friendlier for taller folk and the 40/20/40 split-fold back seat makes it easier to load bulky items.

That the hatch is also more affordable makes it an easy choice for those chasing value.

The 10.1-inch infotainment screen offers clear graphics and a crisp camera view. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is equally slick and showcases S3-specific layouts.

One is a “hockey stick” style tacho, another more conventional, with digital dials and data-heavy overlays.

The touchpad to adjust the volume and audio controls adds to the physical buttons for the ventilation system to make adjusting commonly used functions easy.

Of course, those who want the pinnacle will gravitate to the RS3 that still holds top billing in the A3 line-up with a further dose of power.

But the dynamic improvements to the S3 have created a more complete and engaging performance car that delivers serious smiles and pace.

For most it’ll be all the hot hatch they’ll ever need.