2013 Audi S3 – Paris debut

Audi has revealed the new S3 with a 296bhp 2.0 litre direct injection engine which will debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

The new Audi S3 – which will bow in at next week’s 2012 Paris Motor Sow – will join the new 5-door A3 Sportback on Audi’s stand at Paris and lay down a firm marker for Audi’s share of the market.

The new S3 gets a new 2.0 litre direct injection engine - part of Audi’s EA888 engine range – to go with its new underpinning using the same MQB platform as the latest A3 range, making the new S3 both lighter and more powerful. A good combination.

That weight loss and increased power – the new 2.0 litre engine produces 296bhp and 280lb/ft of torque – translates in to a 0-62mph of 5.1 seconds when the six speed double clutch S tronic ‘box is specified (the manual ‘box offer 5.4 seconds), and improvement of almost half a second over the old S3.

Not only is the new S3 more powerful, it’s significantly more economical too (assuming you can tame your right foot). The new S3 with the flappy paddles gets 41mpg and the manual get 40.4mpg, improvements of over 20 per cent.

Under the skin, the new S3 gets quattro 4WD and tweaks to the chassis with Audi’s Magnet Ride on offer, new brakes and a lower suspension setup. Cosmetically the changes to the S3 are modest, with a close look needed to separate it from an A3 S Line, inside and out.

The 2013 Audi S3 will debut at Paris next week and arrive in Audi showrooms in 2013.

2013 Audi S3 Photos >>

By Cars UK