It’s also a smidge more powerful than the Golf R.
AudiWhen it comes to affordable compact sports cars, the VW group has always had several compelling entries to choose from in the VW Golf GTI, VW Golf R, and the Audi S3.
Based on monikers alone, most would presume that the Audi S3 was the pricier and most performant of the bunch, but those titles belonged to the Golf R. Now, the powers at Audi have rectified the situation with the launch of the 2025 Audi S3, which has received a significant midlife refresh.
Slated for U.S. dealerships in early 2025, at price that’s still TBD (though the press release quotes 56,000 euros or ~$60,000), it’s technically the most powerful iteration of the beloved compact sports sedan ever made, even if its top speed remains steady at just 155 mph.
The heart of the performance increases come from a new “preloaded” 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that offers 22 more horsepower, bringing the new max to 328 hp, and an extra 15 pound-feet of torque, for a new total of 310 pound-feet.
The more significant news from a daily driving experience is the addition of the Torque Splitter pulled from its zippier RS3 brother, which Audi says provides “fully variable torque distribution between the rear wheels,” a.k.a. torque vectoring, to the S3’s rear axel.
The addition should unlock better grip, tighter cornering, and, yes, improved drifting, should drivers choose to do it, especially after activating a newly included drift drive mode setting dubbed “Dynamic Plus,” which will direct more power to the outside rear wheel to trigger oversteer.
Taken together with faster shifting, improved bearings, a retuned suspension and steering, larger brakes and grippier tires, and a 15mm lower ride height vs. the base A3, the 2025 Audi S3, like its forbearers should be a blast to drive, assuming you can trial its official 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds now and again.
It’s also still a 4-door sedan that’s small enough to park in the tightest city spots.
Interior-wise, the model is getting most of the niceties already shown off in the new A3 with a slightly sportier bend. USB-C ports are a welcomed modernization , as are “up to four [selectable] digital daytime running light signatures” and increased cabin ambient lighting.
Expect more details closer to the official release date
