2019 Audi S3 interior spied
Cabin looks to be radically different to previous Audis
The Audi S3 has been spied undergoing winter testing in Sweden, with this latest prototype offering a first glimpse of its interior.
While the exterior looks to be evolutionary, the interior appears a radical reimagining of Audi's interior design language.
There are vents angled towards the driver on either side of the instrumentation pod, and an aggressively downward slant for the in-door arm rests. At first blush, it's a design that wouldn't look too out of place in the R8 or a Lamborghini.
In the centre of the dash there's a large glossy touchscreen. With our view of the rest of the cabin blocked by the doors, we can't see if the S3 will feature a second touchscreen.
Starting with the latest A8, Audi has fully embraced touchscreen technology, with two capacitive displays responsible for most in-car functions, greatly reducing button clutter in the process.
Under the skin, the next-generation A3 and S3 will ride on the latest update to the MQB platform, which will also be used by the Volkswagen Golf and countless other Volkswagen Group models.
A 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, and all-wheel drive are almost certainties for the S3.
Given this prototype is the latest in the long line of A3/S3 sightings, and with the Mark VIII Volkswagen Golf set to debut in the second half of 2019, we expect the new A3 range to launched in the first half of the year.
The S3 likely to step out officially around six months afterwards.