Audi S3: four generations of the fast Audi A3

The Audi S3 is a compact sports car based on the Audi A3. It has been built since 1999 in four generations, each with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and four-wheel drive.

Audi S3 at a glance

History of the Audi S3

8L (1999–2003)

The first S3 appeared in spring 1999 on the platform shared with the Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf Mk4 and Audi TT. Its 1.8-litre 20-valve turbo engine was based on the TT unit and produced 210 PS at first, with 280 Nm from 2,200 to 5,500 rpm. From 2001 it gained variable valve timing and 225 PS. The only gearbox was a six-speed manual. Although badged quattro, the S3 used an on-demand Haldex coupling that normally drove the front wheels. A facelift in 2000 brought one-piece headlights and revised wings and lights. The equipment included xenon headlights, 17-inch Avus wheels, Recaro leather seats and climate control, and the options list had a Bose sound system, a glass sunroof, heated seats and 18-inch RSTT wheels. The S3 was not officially sold in the United States.

8P (2006–2012)

The second generation used a 2.0-litre TFSI engine with a larger KKK K04 turbocharger, stronger pistons, a bigger intercooler and revised mapping, producing 265 PS. With the Haldex four-wheel drive it reached 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and was limited to 250 km/h. In April 2008 Audi added the five-door S3 Sportback, and in autumn 2008 a six-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox became available. Torque was 350 Nm, and consumption was about 8.3 to 8.5 litres of Super Plus per 100 km. The car had 18-inch wheels and Bi-Xenon headlights as standard, and aluminium-look mirror housings marked it as an S model. Audi did not offer the 8P in North or South America, although it was available in Mexico.

8V (2013–2020)

The third S3 was shown at the Paris show in September 2012 and went on sale in spring 2013. Its 2.0-litre turbo engine produced 300 PS, with a six-speed manual and quattro as standard and the six-speed S tronic as an option. A saloon followed in autumn 2013 with deliveries from early 2014 and a 425-litre boot, and the S3 Cabriolet arrived in July 2014 with a fabric roof that opened or closed in under 18 seconds at up to 50 km/h, from 48,500 euros in Germany. A facelift in mid-2016 brought new lights and 310 PS.

8Y (since 2020)

The fourth generation was presented on 11 August 2020 and reached dealers in early October. It stayed with the 2.0-litre turbo engine, and a facelift in April 2024 raised its output from 310 to 333 PS. The range was reduced from four body styles to two.

Design and features

• Haldex four-wheel drive: because the engine sits across the car, the S3 uses an on-demand Haldex coupling rather than the Torsen differential of larger quattros.
• Turbo four-cylinders: the engine grew from the 1.8 of the 8L to the 2.0 TFSI of later generations, with outputs from 210 to 333 PS.
• Body styles: over the years the S3 was offered as a three-door, a five-door Sportback, a saloon and a cabriolet.
• Understated look: wider wings, larger bumpers, S badging and aluminium mirror housings separate it from the A3.

Audi S3 versions

• S3 8L: the 1999 three-door with 210 PS, and the 225 PS version from 2001.
• S3 Sportback: the five-door added in April 2008.
• S3 saloon: the four-door of 2013 with a 425-litre boot.
• S3 Cabriolet: the open version sold from July 2014.
• S3 8Y: the 2020 generation, 333 PS after the 2024 facelift.

The S3 is based on the Audi A3, and the same idea on the larger A6 is the Audi S6. More models are in our Audi collection.

Video: VW Golf R vs. Audi S3 vs. BMW M135i

Video by AUTO BILD on YouTube.

Sources

• Audi S3, English Wikipedia: 8L and 8P generations, engines and equipment
• Audi S3, German Wikipedia: 8V and 8Y generations, facelifts and production dates