Audi’s lil naughty boy, the S3 is getting new tools to add up to its top notch driving pleasure. As S3 has always been one the best choices in hot hatch market, Although the price tag is always an issue with this.Now Audi announced that this car is available with the brilliant dual-clutch transmission which results in better fuel economy and better acceleration, while its paddle-shift make playing with this car even more fun. The concept of such system is simple, as you change the gear, the gearbox prepares the next one and put it in queue, so when you go for it, it’s done in no time! Brilliant! Both the Audi S3 Sportback S tronic and the S3 with the same gearbox are powered by the 2.0 TFSI engine that outputs 195 kW (265 hp) and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of torque.
S3 S tronic starts at 39,800 euros, normal S3 is about a grand cheaper.
Audi’s Press:
A milestone in transmission technology is now available in the Audi S3 and S3 Sportback sporty compact models. The S tronic dual-clutch transmission unites the powerful two-liter TFSI engine with the road in a manner that is both sporty and efficient. This ensures quicker acceleration, high agility and ride comfort along with improved fuel efficiency.
A genuine marvel of engineering, the revolutionary S tronic dual-clutch transmission has been a sensation ever since it debuted in the Audi TT 3.2 quattro in spring 2003. It combines the advantages of a compact six-speed manual transmission with the qualities of a modern automatic. The driver thus benefits from enormous agility and driving pleasure with acceleration that is both harmonious and dynamic, without any perceptible interruption in the power flow. This is coupled with good economy thanks to low fuel consumption, and convenient operation.
The ultracompact S tronic with twin multi-plate clutch can simultaneously preselect two gears. With its ingenious electrohydraulic operation, it shifts from one gear to the next in a split second. It can thus enable engine torque as high as 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft).
The powerhouse engine in the S3 is an ideal partner: the 2.0 TFSI has already won the “Engine of the Year Award” four times. It supplies 195 kW (265 hp) and maximum torque of 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft), which remains constant from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. At a weight of just 152 kilograms (335.10 pounds), this turbocharged direct-fuel-injection engine propels the Audi S3 and the S3 Sportback into the exclusive class of compact sports cars.
The S tronic makes the dynamic spearhead of the A3 family even speedier. It further reduces, by two-tenths of a second, the time required to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (0 to 62.14 mph). More specifically, in just 5.5 seconds for the S3 and 5.6 seconds for the Sportback. At the same time, fuel consumption has improved to 8.3 liters/100km (28.34 mpg) with CO2 emissions of just 193 g/km (310.60 g/mile) (A3 Sportback: 8.4 liters/100km (28.00 mpg) and 195 g/km (313.82 g/mile).