Along with the mid-life review of the A3 family of compacts, Audi has also introduced all four updated versions of the S3. Because the models cannot be ordered yet, we didn't expect to see video reviews this month, but the Germans are being allowed to drive the 2017 S3 right now.
This is the first video we've been able to find where technical details are also discussed. The guy behind the Automann-TV Youtube channel also happens to be a fan of the S3 and all the other cars that share its platform. He also bought a 2015 model year S3 sedan, making him the perfect guy to spot the differences.
Under the hood of the new S3 model is the same 310 hp engine you find in the TTS. Torque has also been increased from 380 to 400 Nm, but we found a tech data file suggesting it's only on overboost. But the big change is the gearbox, which is now a 7-speed twin-clutch unit. It makes cruising at high speed more comfortable, which is important if you happen to live in Germany.
Also in Germany, the S3 facelift can be pushed to 266 km/h. Either Audi forgot to install a speed limiter or that's one heck of a backwind. It's very hard to imagine the gages of the car being unprecise because it looks like it measures in light years or warp speed.
Putting the digital dash into the S3 was definitely the right thing to do. If Audi had this technology available since they launched the TT, why didn't they put it on the A3 as well?
As for the exhaust, it was always a little muted on the pre-facelift S3. But Automann says that it now has pops and bangs on the overrun when in Sport mode. We believe this is a small misfire built into the engine map. Unburned fuel gets into the exhaust and explodes due to the heat.
Oh, and before we forget, the video recording suggests the S3 now gets from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, which we think is a little off for the heavy sedan model, but doable on the 3-door hatchback.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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