2025 Audi S3 Sedan Photos, engines & full specs

Audi introduced the facelifted version of the A3’s fourth generation in early 2024, and along with that, it also unveiled its punchier brother, the S3, which was available as a sedan and as a hatchback.

The German automaker introduced the first generation of the S3 back in 1999. A 1.8-liter turbocharged engine powered the vehicle and sent about 210 PS (207 hp) to the wheels. In addition, it was exclusively available as a three-door hatchback. Thanks to that version, the four-ring brand could attract more customers who merged from regular hot-hatches to premium ones. Moreover, it didn’t have an actual competition since neither BMW, Volvo, or BMW had anything similar to that. In later generations, Audi also introduced a four-door sedan version of this nameplate and enjoyed great success with it. By 2020, the S3 Sedan was already a sought-after vehicle, and the German car manufacturer released it during an online event due to the world pandemic. Come 2024, the S3 made a stunning comeback with an even more appealing exterior and a punchier engine than its predecessor. It was also almost as powerful as the RS3’s first generation, which broke cover in 2011.

Audi continued its ambition of creating a factory sleeper with the refreshed version. Only some minor details could let bystanders see that this was not a regular version of the A3 Sedan but a much more potent one. And yet, those who knew the model could spot the Matrix LED headlights that offered up to four individual DRL light signatures, programable by the driver. Between them, the car featured a new design for the grille, with available chromed L-shaped decorations. Lower, the bumper featured huge side scoops that channeled air to the brakes and also formed an air curtain to lower drag. But

From its profile, the car sat 45 mm (1.8-inch) lower to the ground than the standard A3. The automaker offered it with either a mechanical or adaptive suspension to make the S3 planted to the road. In standard form, it featured 18-inch alloy wheels, but customers could opt for a 19-inch set. Out back, the automaker redesigned the bumper and adorned it with L-shaped chromed decorations mirroring those from the front grille. Underneath, the S3 Sedan was available with a titanium quad-exhaust system from Akrapovic.

Inside, the automaker refreshed the cabin and installed a new gear selector and air vents. Furthermore, Audi created new ambient lighting systems, including one that illuminated the storage compartment placed at the bottom of the center stack. In addition, the door cards featured illuminated fabric panels with 300 laser cuts in them to create a unique look for the vehicle. The S3’s Sedan interior was available in dark colors and a few aluminum accents. The artificial leather-covered center armrest and the dual-zone climate control were standard for the 2024 S3 Sedan.

But the most significant improvements happened in the technical department. The car boasted a set of 18-inch steel disc brakes at the front with two-piston calipers for better stopping abilities. Audi also improved the engine’s power, which reached 333 PS (328 hp), or 23 PS more than on the non-facelifted version. In addition, the gearbox was upgraded and featured a dynamic mode that lowered acceleration time. It now needed just 4.7 seconds to get from naught to 100 kph (0-62 mph), which was just 0.1-second shy of what the first generation of the RS 3 could back in 2011, but with a larger and more powerful engine.