Next Audi S3 in line for 325bhp

THE NEXT-GENERATION Audi S3 will join a new A3 line-up that will grow to 11 models by 2022. Four-door saloon, five-door liftback and convertible versions are all in the product plan. However, three-door models are not.

The new A3 is due to arrive in 2019 and will sit on the same MFA platform as the current A3, albeit with a slight increase in size.

Testing of the hot S3 version is now taking place on public roads and this disguised prototype was spotted in Germany. It is marked out by its muscular bodykit, large brakes and quad exhaust system.

The new S3 will go up against the BMW M140i and upcoming Mercedes-amg A35. Power from its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is expected to be around 325bhp, keeping it some distance from the 400bhp or more of the flagship RS3.

If it follows the template set by the Audi TTS, with which the current S3 shares an engine, it will get a petrol particulate filter. It’s unclear yet whether a manual variant will be offered, given the overwhelming popularity of the dual-clutch automatic version, but power will continue to be put down through all four wheels.