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2020 Audi A3 (4th Generation)
- Thread starter frodob
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FiestaST
Honorary Master
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Experience the new Audi S3: revolutionary performance upgrades for Sportback and Sedan models
Verdict
The S3 Sportback hatch and Sedan could just be the ideal sleeper cars with nothing too obvious to give away the oodles of power and superb handling.
The upgraded power and torque splitter is a game-changer that will give you many pleasurable memories on the track and then take you back home with the family.
The choice between the sedan and hatchback is a personal one, but for me, the sedan, with its sleek looks, takes it.
Long may the hot hatch and especially the sedan live.
The pair come with a five-year/100,000km Audi Freeway Plan.
Pricing
Audi S3 Sportback TFSI 245 kW quattro S tronic: R1,091,100.
Audi S3 Sedan TFSI 245 kW quattro S tronic: R1,106,100.
Verdict
The S3 Sportback hatch and Sedan could just be the ideal sleeper cars with nothing too obvious to give away the oodles of power and superb handling.
The upgraded power and torque splitter is a game-changer that will give you many pleasurable memories on the track and then take you back home with the family.
The choice between the sedan and hatchback is a personal one, but for me, the sedan, with its sleek looks, takes it.
Long may the hot hatch and especially the sedan live.
The pair come with a five-year/100,000km Audi Freeway Plan.
Pricing
Audi S3 Sportback TFSI 245 kW quattro S tronic: R1,091,100.
Audi S3 Sedan TFSI 245 kW quattro S tronic: R1,106,100.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
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Paywall:
DRIVEN | Audi’s new S3 now more playful than ever
DRIVEN | Audi’s new S3 now more playful than ever
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2025 Audi S3 Is All The Car You'll Ever Need
It's really hard to find fault with the 2025 Audi S3. It delivers on things that a lot of bigger luxury sports sedans struggle with, like a feeling of being connected to the driver and the overall sense that the car is massively heavy. In the S3, which is actually 6.7 inches shorter than a Honda Civic, I felt wrapped up in the car. I'm not much for the whole "small cars are better" thing, but there's something to be said for a car that's this fun to drive, but is still easy to park on the streets of Manhattan. For my money, this is a more fun car to hurl around than Audi's bigger, more powerful offerings like the S5 and S6. Sure, you give up a bit when it comes to interior space, but how often are you hauling anyway? Maybe those small-car people have a point. (Please don't tell them I said that. They're so annoying.)
Perhaps it's time to go against the American car-buying grain and see if you can fit your life into an Audi S3. If I had the money, I know I would.
Read More: https://www.jalopnik.com/2050683/2025-audi-s3-compact-sports-sedan-review/
It's really hard to find fault with the 2025 Audi S3. It delivers on things that a lot of bigger luxury sports sedans struggle with, like a feeling of being connected to the driver and the overall sense that the car is massively heavy. In the S3, which is actually 6.7 inches shorter than a Honda Civic, I felt wrapped up in the car. I'm not much for the whole "small cars are better" thing, but there's something to be said for a car that's this fun to drive, but is still easy to park on the streets of Manhattan. For my money, this is a more fun car to hurl around than Audi's bigger, more powerful offerings like the S5 and S6. Sure, you give up a bit when it comes to interior space, but how often are you hauling anyway? Maybe those small-car people have a point. (Please don't tell them I said that. They're so annoying.)
Perhaps it's time to go against the American car-buying grain and see if you can fit your life into an Audi S3. If I had the money, I know I would.
Read More: https://www.jalopnik.com/2050683/2025-audi-s3-compact-sports-sedan-review/
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MotorWeek quick spin of the updated S3
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AutoTrader SA review of the updated S3
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Ignition GT review of the updated S3 Sportback
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REVIEW | Audi A3 makes a strong case for the survival of sedans
The Audi A3 35 TFSI Black Edition sedan stood in my driveway.
I wasn't particularly excited about it. Yes, it's a low-slung compact executive sedan with decent 19" wheels, black window surrounds where the chrome would be, black badging and intelligent LED lighting that does a little dance for you when you unlock the car.
But who pays over 800,000 of their hard-earned Randelas for a small sedan? As anyone would tell you, sedans and hatchbacks are fast losing favour globally, thanks to the proliferation of SUVs of all shapes and sizes mushrooming worldwide.
It's also not particularly attractive, although looks are subjective and beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that. I just feel Audis should be angular and taut. Not curved and bulbous.
In the world of executive sedans, zhe Germans have always had distinctive features that set them apart, especially from each other. The Bavarians had the kidney grille, the Stuttgarters were always more rounded, and the Four Rings of Ingolstadt was the angular, cut, sleek competitor.
But Audi's latest design language has traded hard angles for softer curves. And I don't like it.
I also feel the headlight cluster is too big; it takes up too much of the face. It looks like the droopy eyes of a Basset Hound. I suppose the light cluster echoes the design of the Q8's headlights, but the A3 is significantly smaller and lower to the ground, so the headlights look a little out of place.
The taillights, too, look about as generic as all the other offerings in this class. These days, from a distance at night, it's hard to tell the A Class Sedan, A3 Sedan, and 2-Series Gran Coupe apart from behind.
Back to the price – starting at over R808,000 and rocketing all the way to the fire-breathing RS3 at over R1.5m it's not exactly affordable. You could have a whole lot more car with more power and features if you bought an Omoda C9, for example. It's also still packing that 1.4l or 1.5l turbopetrol TFSI four cylinder that gets you 110kW. Meh.
The Audi A3 35 TFSI Black Edition sedan stood in my driveway.
I wasn't particularly excited about it. Yes, it's a low-slung compact executive sedan with decent 19" wheels, black window surrounds where the chrome would be, black badging and intelligent LED lighting that does a little dance for you when you unlock the car.
But who pays over 800,000 of their hard-earned Randelas for a small sedan? As anyone would tell you, sedans and hatchbacks are fast losing favour globally, thanks to the proliferation of SUVs of all shapes and sizes mushrooming worldwide.
It's also not particularly attractive, although looks are subjective and beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that. I just feel Audis should be angular and taut. Not curved and bulbous.
In the world of executive sedans, zhe Germans have always had distinctive features that set them apart, especially from each other. The Bavarians had the kidney grille, the Stuttgarters were always more rounded, and the Four Rings of Ingolstadt was the angular, cut, sleek competitor.
But Audi's latest design language has traded hard angles for softer curves. And I don't like it.
I also feel the headlight cluster is too big; it takes up too much of the face. It looks like the droopy eyes of a Basset Hound. I suppose the light cluster echoes the design of the Q8's headlights, but the A3 is significantly smaller and lower to the ground, so the headlights look a little out of place.
The taillights, too, look about as generic as all the other offerings in this class. These days, from a distance at night, it's hard to tell the A Class Sedan, A3 Sedan, and 2-Series Gran Coupe apart from behind.
Back to the price – starting at over R808,000 and rocketing all the way to the fire-breathing RS3 at over R1.5m it's not exactly affordable. You could have a whole lot more car with more power and features if you bought an Omoda C9, for example. It's also still packing that 1.4l or 1.5l turbopetrol TFSI four cylinder that gets you 110kW. Meh.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
How fast is the Audi S3 Sportback?
Audi S3 Sportback acceleration
On our test strip, the Audi S3 Sportback, which tipped our scales at 1 503 kg, completed the 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.07 seconds, before covering the quarter mile 8.13 seconds later, at 13.24 seconds – the latter at a speed of 175.71 km/h. The S3 covered the 1 km in 23.89 seconds at 225.33 km/h. In the overtaking acceleration stakes, our test equipment recorded 80-100, 100-120 and 120-140 km/h times of 1.32, 1.64 and 1.94 seconds, respectively.
Audi S3 Sportback braking times
In our 10-stop, 100-0 km/h emergency braking regimen, the Audi S3 Sportback’s standard-fitment 357 mm front/310 mm rear ventilated discs brought it to a stop in an average time of 2.52 seconds over a distance of 35.29 metres. The best and worst recorded braking times were 2.46 and 2.58 seconds, respectively.
Audi S3 Sportback specifications
Price: R1 091 100
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbopetrol
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch
Driven wheels: all
Power: 245 kW @ 5 600-6 500 r/min
Torque: 420 N.m @ 2 100-5 500 r/min
0-100 km/h: 4.7 seconds (claimed)
Top speed: 250 km/h (claimed)
Fuel consumption: 7.9 L/100 km (claimed)
CO2 emissions: 183 g/km (claimed)
Audi S3 Sportback acceleration
On our test strip, the Audi S3 Sportback, which tipped our scales at 1 503 kg, completed the 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.07 seconds, before covering the quarter mile 8.13 seconds later, at 13.24 seconds – the latter at a speed of 175.71 km/h. The S3 covered the 1 km in 23.89 seconds at 225.33 km/h. In the overtaking acceleration stakes, our test equipment recorded 80-100, 100-120 and 120-140 km/h times of 1.32, 1.64 and 1.94 seconds, respectively.
Audi S3 Sportback braking times
In our 10-stop, 100-0 km/h emergency braking regimen, the Audi S3 Sportback’s standard-fitment 357 mm front/310 mm rear ventilated discs brought it to a stop in an average time of 2.52 seconds over a distance of 35.29 metres. The best and worst recorded braking times were 2.46 and 2.58 seconds, respectively.
Audi S3 Sportback specifications
Price: R1 091 100
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbopetrol
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch
Driven wheels: all
Power: 245 kW @ 5 600-6 500 r/min
Torque: 420 N.m @ 2 100-5 500 r/min
0-100 km/h: 4.7 seconds (claimed)
Top speed: 250 km/h (claimed)
Fuel consumption: 7.9 L/100 km (claimed)
CO2 emissions: 183 g/km (claimed)
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Kumbi-M On Cars review of the updated S3
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Reba S Cars review of the updated S3
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Drag Race: Omoda C9 PHEV vs Audi S3 Sportback - Cars.co.za
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What to expect from the new Audi A3 Sportback S line now in South Africa
Audi South Africa has expanded its local Audi A3 range with the introduction of a new S line derivative for the Sportback line-up.
The new model sits below the existing S line Plus and S line Black variants and serves as the entry point into the range locally, and is available only in Sportback form.
The addition also introduces a clearer trim hierarchy across the A3 range, with three S line specification levels offered.
Exterior and interior specification
The A3 Sportback S line features a sportier exterior design combined with a range of standard equipment.
Exterior features include 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights, while the cabin gains sport seats with cloth upholstery, ambient interior lighting and a panoramic sunroof.
Other standard equipment includes a six-speaker sound system, comfort key, an auto-dimming interior mirror and folding exterior mirrors.
The S line Plus gets artificial leather and cloth upholstery with “S” badging on the sport seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, full LED headlights, a Sonos sound system, additional ambient lighting and dark aluminium interior inlays.
At the top of the range, the S line Black adds black 18-inch alloy wheels, black exterior styling elements, privacy glass and entry LED projection lighting.
Drivetrain
Across the range, the A3 models are powered by the 1.4-litre 35 TFSI turbocharged petrol engine, producing 110kW and 250Nm of torque paired with an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
Pricing
A3 Sportback S line: R769 000.
A3 Sportback S line Plus: R808 200.
A3 Sedan S line Plus: R823 200.
A3 Sportback S line Black: R834 500.
A3 Sedan S line Black: R849 500.
The A3 range is sold with the Audi Freeway Plan, which includes a five-year/100,000km comprehensive service and maintenance plan as standard.
Audi South Africa has expanded its local Audi A3 range with the introduction of a new S line derivative for the Sportback line-up.
The new model sits below the existing S line Plus and S line Black variants and serves as the entry point into the range locally, and is available only in Sportback form.
The addition also introduces a clearer trim hierarchy across the A3 range, with three S line specification levels offered.
Exterior and interior specification
The A3 Sportback S line features a sportier exterior design combined with a range of standard equipment.
Exterior features include 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights, while the cabin gains sport seats with cloth upholstery, ambient interior lighting and a panoramic sunroof.
Other standard equipment includes a six-speaker sound system, comfort key, an auto-dimming interior mirror and folding exterior mirrors.
The S line Plus gets artificial leather and cloth upholstery with “S” badging on the sport seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, full LED headlights, a Sonos sound system, additional ambient lighting and dark aluminium interior inlays.
At the top of the range, the S line Black adds black 18-inch alloy wheels, black exterior styling elements, privacy glass and entry LED projection lighting.
Drivetrain
Across the range, the A3 models are powered by the 1.4-litre 35 TFSI turbocharged petrol engine, producing 110kW and 250Nm of torque paired with an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
Pricing
A3 Sportback S line: R769 000.
A3 Sportback S line Plus: R808 200.
A3 Sedan S line Plus: R823 200.
A3 Sportback S line Black: R834 500.
A3 Sedan S line Black: R849 500.
The A3 range is sold with the Audi Freeway Plan, which includes a five-year/100,000km comprehensive service and maintenance plan as standard.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
2026 Audi A3 Sportback S line: price and specs
Audi South Africa has introduced the A3 Sportback S line as the new entry-level variant to its local A3 range. See pricing below.
The A3 Sportback S line is the new entry point to the German marque’s local A3 model portfolio. Exclusively available in Sportback body style, the A3 S line is available from R769 000. See full pricing below.
The German marque’s local arm states the introduction of this model introduces a clearer S line hierarchy across the local A3 Sportback range, with each of the three derivatives offering different specifications, design and equipment. The A3 Sportback S line features LED headlamps, 18-inch alloy wheels, sports seats upholstered in cloth, ambient interior lighting, a six-speaker sound system, and a panoramic sunroof.
Audi A3 Sportback S line price in SA
The A3 Sportback S line is priced from R769 000, making it nearly R40 000 more affordable than the A3 Sportback S line Plus, which starts from R808 200. Included in the price are a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan and a one-year/unlimited km warranty.
A3 Sportback S line – R769 000
A3 Sportback S line Plus – R808 200
A3 Sedan S line Plus – R823 200
A3 Sportback S line Black – R834 500
A3 Sedan S line Black – R849 500
Across the range, the A3 is powered by a 1.4-litre petrol engine producing 110 kW and 250 N.m of torque. The turbocharged unit is coupled with Audi’s Tiptronic eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends drive to the front wheels. Audi claims this powertrain returns 5.8 L/100km.
Audi South Africa has introduced the A3 Sportback S line as the new entry-level variant to its local A3 range. See pricing below.
The A3 Sportback S line is the new entry point to the German marque’s local A3 model portfolio. Exclusively available in Sportback body style, the A3 S line is available from R769 000. See full pricing below.
The German marque’s local arm states the introduction of this model introduces a clearer S line hierarchy across the local A3 Sportback range, with each of the three derivatives offering different specifications, design and equipment. The A3 Sportback S line features LED headlamps, 18-inch alloy wheels, sports seats upholstered in cloth, ambient interior lighting, a six-speaker sound system, and a panoramic sunroof.
Audi A3 Sportback S line price in SA
The A3 Sportback S line is priced from R769 000, making it nearly R40 000 more affordable than the A3 Sportback S line Plus, which starts from R808 200. Included in the price are a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan and a one-year/unlimited km warranty.
A3 Sportback S line – R769 000
A3 Sportback S line Plus – R808 200
A3 Sedan S line Plus – R823 200
A3 Sportback S line Black – R834 500
A3 Sedan S line Black – R849 500
Across the range, the A3 is powered by a 1.4-litre petrol engine producing 110 kW and 250 N.m of torque. The turbocharged unit is coupled with Audi’s Tiptronic eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends drive to the front wheels. Audi claims this powertrain returns 5.8 L/100km.