2020 Audi A3 (4th Generation)

2025 Audi S3: Performance Upgrades Galore For Facelift

The 2025 Audi S3 facelift is due for an imminent reveal and the German carmaker has released some details about its power increase and dynamic enhancements.

The 2025 Audi S3 facelift is a current work in progress, but the Ingolstadt-based brand has given us a preview of what’s to come. While what you see here is not the complete and production-ready car, the engine outputs, performance and dynamic upgrades have been signed off. We expect the design to be formally revealed in the coming months.

For this facelifted model, Audi has extracted an additional 17 kW and 20 Nm from the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. With outputs of 245 kW and 420 Nm, the 2025 Audi S3 will sprint to 100 kph in a claimed 4.7 seconds. Impressively, all 420 Newtons are available from 2 100 to 5 500 rpm.

Audi has also introduced the torque splitter technology into the facelifted S3. This torque distribution hardware is from the Audi RS3 flagship and sends the power to the rear wheels. Yes, Drift Mode!

 
Facelifted Audi S3 teased with more power, sharper handling

The Audi A3 range is set to receive a facelift this year, and customers of the S3 performance model can look forward to more than just a new look.

Audi has released the first teaser pics of its freshened up S3, along with some information confirming a raft of engine, gearbox and chassis revisions.

The cars you see in the pictures are disguised prototypes so you’re not going to see those crazy red wheels and grille trims in your local showroom, but the images do show off a new grille design with larger honeycomb segments appearing at the top and bottom sections.

 
Pick your flavour: Audi launches new Urban Edition and Black Edition models in SA

Following the launch of the A4 and S4 Black Editions late last year, Audi’s special edition frenzy continues with an array of unique A3, S3, Q2 and Q3 models that are now on sale in Mzansi.

The Audi Q2 and A3 will be available in both Urban Edition and Black Edition flavours, with the latter also applied to S3 and Q3 models.

Black Edition Audi A5 and Q5 variants are set to follow later in the year.

Audi’s thinking, with these editions, is to bundle together some of the most popular options in order to make it easier for you to choose the right Audi, but this “package deal” approach no doubt makes life at the factory quite a bit easier too.

Let’s take a closer look at what these new editions have to offer.

 
Audi A3 Sedan

An extensive upgrade for a successful model: The car with which Audi established the premium compact class in 1996, the A3, is sportier, more comfortable, and more digital than ever, thanks to its more progressive design, significantly extended standard equipment, and new materials and offers. Apps that can be used directly in the vehicle display, selectable daytime running light signatures, and the ability to add vehicle functions on demand any time enable a high degree of customization. The A3 allstreet, the distinctive crossover of the A3 family, is new to the market. With its characteristic off-road look, three centimeters of extra ground clearance compared to the A3 Sportback, and a raised seat position, the vehicle offers an SUV like driving experience combined with high functionality.

Sportier than ever: the exterior of the Audi A3

More dynamic - more progressive - more emotional: This is the character of the A3 Sportback and Sedan models after the model upgrade. The hexagonal, frameless Singleframe features a new structure and is noticeably flatter and wider. It dominates the front end and, in addition to the large angular side air intakes, clearly symbolizes the compact models' sporty character. The striking front spoiler connects the two intakes and makes the Audi A3 appear lower. The same is true of the rear, which is particularly sporty with its new bumper and distinctive diffuser. Partly inspired by the RS models, the progressive design elements are particularly effective when combined with the S line exterior. The new, expressive metallic finishes District Green, Ascari Blue and Progressive Red emphasize the dynamic look.


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Audi A3 Sportback

The Audi A3 heads into the 2025 model year with a sportier look, new design elements, and digital features. In addition to selectable daytime running light signatures, the ability to flexibly purchase vehicle functions any time ensures a high degree of personalization. In addition, the standard equipment has been significantly expanded and new materials have been used for enhanced comfort.

Sportier than ever: the exterior

More dynamic - more progressive - more emotional: This is how the A3 Sportback and Sedan present themselves following the model upgrade. The hexagonal, frameless Singleframe features a new structure that is noticeably flatter and wider. It dominates the front end and, in addition to the large angular side air intakes, clearly symbolizes the compact models' sporty character. The striking front spoiler connects the two and makes the Audi A3 appear lower. The same is true of the rear, which is sportier than ever with a new bumper and distinctive diffuser. The progressive design elements are particularly effective with the S line exterior, as they are partly inspired by the RS models.The expressive exterior colors District Green, Ascari Blue, and Progressive Red further strengthen the sporty look.

Selectable: up to four different daytime running light signatures

Like the redesigned Singleframe, the lighting design is significantly thinner, emphasizing the width of the Audi A3 series. The 24-pixel elements that make up the digital daytime running lights in the LED and Matrix LED headlights are now arranged in three rows on the upper edge of the housing. It is now possible to select and switch between up to four different digital daytime running light signatures via the MMI - the first time the models of the A3 series. "This offers our customers a higher degree of personalization. They can change the expression of their model at any time. The signatures interpret self-confidence and agility in different ways," says Cesar Muntada, Head of Design Light Experience at AUDI AG.


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Audi A3 allstreet

The Audi A3 allstreet is the distinctive crossover in the A3 family. With its characteristic off-road look, three centimeters more ground clearance than the A3 Sportback, and the raised seating position, the vehicle offers an SUV-like driving experience combined with high functionality. Thanks to the seamless integration of apps into the infotainment system, the ability to flexibly add vehicle functions, as well as a comprehensive range of connect services, the A3 allstreet is digitally connected.

"At very first glance, the Audi A3 allstreet stands out from the rest of the A3 family," says Stephan Fahr-Becker, Team Leader of Exterior Design at AUDI AG. "As a crossover in the premium compact class, it has a completely unique look. The aim was to use specific design elements to emphasize the vehicle's higher ground clearance even more."

Off-road character for a confident look

This goal was achieved, among other things, through a vertical emphasis of the matte black Singleframe. The large octagonal radiator grille with its honeycomb structure sits higher than on the A3 Sportback, bringing the crossover closer to the Q models. Unique to the allstreet, three grooves at the front and rear enhance the off-road character. At the front, the beading is integrated into the distinctive spoiler lip, which are reminiscent of a skid plate, and at the rear into the diffuser as part of the robustly designed rear bumper. The rear also echoes the design of the trapezoidal air intakes: Their high-contrast double frame in Selenite Silver and Manhattan Gray creates a strong contrast, lending the Audi A3 allstreet a powerful appearance. The same applies to the dark rocker panel trims and the trim in the lower door areas. They visualize the increased ground clearance and also emphasize the vehicle's length. The standard roof rails further tighten the roofline. At the same time, the wide wheel arch trims in Manhattan Gray visually shorten the overhangs. This gives the A3 allstreet a sporty, robust look. Series-standard 17-inch wheels are housed in the wheel arches, making them one dimension larger than on the A3 Sportback. Wheels in 18- and 19-inch diameter are available as an option.


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Still want a posh hatch? The facelifted Audi A3 is here

Proper hatchbacks still sell in huge numbers in the UK, so here’s a lightly facelifted one for you

Audi has unveiled a slightly new look for the fourth generation A3, with the Germans suggesting this is an “extensive upgrade” to the posh hatchback.

Although the A3 doesn’t just come as a hatch these days. You can chose between Sportback or Saloon, and both have been refreshed with ‘a sportier design’ that certainly looks like it was inspired by the current RS3.

Up front there’s now much more grille, and because chrome is out for environmental reasons that grille is now frameless. In S Line trim you get a slightly different grille design too, while black packs are all the rage for exterior trim.

The new headlights look a little bit baby-RS3 too, and they feature selectable daytime running light signatures so that you can pick and choose the light show that you’re giving fellow road users. There are new taillights and an interesting fake diffuser section on the S Line cars (that’s the Sportback in the images above). Oh, and while you’re looking at the rear of the hatch, sneak a peek at that new S Line badge – more fake-S3 than ever, isn’t it?

 
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