Back in October of last year Audi released the S3 Sportback, which came packing enough power and torque to make your average hi-po V6 blush.
Sitting atop the A3 range, the S3 Sportback (already a competent performer), has just been further enhanced with the introduction of Audi’s quick-shifting S tronic gearbox.
Audi’s S tronic gearbox first debuted in the Audi TT 3.2 quattro back in 2003 and has been a popular choice since.
The multi-plate clutch can pre-select the next gear, thereby ensuring lightning fast shift times up or down the ratios.
If you think this sounds familiar then you’re right. The same technology is employed in a host of Volkswagen Group vehicles, with VW calling its version DSG.
When equipped with the S tronic gearbox, the Audi S3 shaves two tenths from its 0-100km/h time, which now comes in at 5.6 seconds.
Fuel economy and emissions are also improved, dropping to 8.4 litres/100km and 195 g/km respectively.
A cool AU$71,010 is required to get behind the wheel of the Audi S3 Sportback S tronic, making it the most expensive of the S3 offerings.
Engine and drive-trains are the same across all 3 models, with Audi’s 2.0 litre four cylinder TFSI engine providing 188kW and 330Nm of torque. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard, with the major differences between the three models coming down to body style and gearbox selection.
