2025 Audi S3 hot hatch, sedan facelift unveiled with more power

The facelifted 2025 Audi S3 hot hatch has been unveiled – with new styling, updated technology, and a mechanical upgrade with more power and new handling tricks.

As reported in February, the facelift addresses an odd product-planning decision that saw the Audi S3 in European showrooms since 2021 being the first in about a decade to produce less power than its Volkswagen Golf R mechanical twin with the same engine.

Audi has now given the 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine in its 'junior' hot hatch a boost to 245kW/420Nm – up from 228kW/400Nm, and set to match the facelifted Golf R – as well as the clever torque-vectoring rear differential fitted to the VW, as well as the five-cylinder Audi RS3.

The performance upgrades are accompanied by mild changes to styling – including a new front bumper set to inform the look of Audi's final generation of new petrol cars – plus retuned suspension, larger brakes and updated interior technology.

Australian showroom arrival timing is yet to be confirmed, however it is likely to mirror or follow the regular A3 range due in late 2024. The current S3 is priced from $75,400 plus on-road costs.

The power boost means the S3 is now capable of 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.7 seconds – 0.1sec quicker than before, and a match for the current 235kW/420Nm version of the VW Golf R – with a 250km/h top speed.

However it is expected to be a tenth of a second slower than the facelifted Golf R due to be unveiled in the coming months that shares the 245kW/420Nm engine tune, but is fractionally lighter.

In the recent Golf R 20 Years special edition – also fitted with the highest-output tune – a 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds is claimed.

The S3's seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission has been revised for "a more spontaneous take off" thanks to "higher starting torque" – by "compressing the clutch ... more strongly" – while the gear shift speed has been halved in 'D' mode under full acceleration.

Audi has previously said "engine speeds are increased under partial load when the transmission is set to 'D', which was taken to suggest the gearbox is more eager to shift to a lower gear under partial accelerator-pedal pressure.

Mirroring the Golf R 20 Years, the 2025 S3 can keep the turbo spinning at a set rpm when the car is travelling at a constant speed, and the accelerator is partially pressed – for quicker responses faster if the driver floors the accelerator.

New is the torque-vectoring rear differential from the Audi RS3 and VW Golf R, which allows for all of the torque sent to the rear axle – up to 50 per cent of the engine's 420Nm maximum – to be routed to either rear wheel.

There is no mention of the 'drift mode' offered in the Golf R and RS3, which is branded as 'RS Torque Rear' mode in the five-cylinder Audi.

A new Dynamic Plus drive mode is claimed to see the differential send "as much drive torque as possible" to the outside rear wheel in a corner, which Audi is keen to point out results "in a tendency to oversteer".

It is reined in by "modest interventions" by a more relaxed stability-control system, for "an increased and even more emotional driving experience on surfaces with different friction coefficients" – which appears to be press-release speak for snowy, dirt, gravel or wet tarmac roads.

Dynamic Plus also increases the idle speed of the engine by 200rpm to 1300rpm to "improve off-the-line performance further", sharpens throttle response, and retunes the transmission with later upshifts and earlier downshifts.

Under the skin, Audi says the suspension has been revised with stiffer bearings and increased camber for more confident cornering – plus retuned steering and brake-based torque-vectoring software.

Adaptive suspension is optional in Europe but likely to be standard in Australia, as it is on the current model.

The 19-inch alloy wheels – optional in Europe but currently standard in Australia – gain new 235/35 profile Falken Label D performance tyres.

The front brake discs have been enlarged to 357mm in diameter, and 34mm thick – up from 345mm and 30mm respectively – with new two-piston calipers claimed to include larger pads that can better resist heat.

Styling changes mirror the update to the regular Audi A3, with a new front bumper that shrinks the grille, removes its frame, and moves the Audi badge along its top edge.

Spy photos show this more subtle design will be adopted by the next – and last – generation of petrol and diesel-engined Audis, including the new A5, which consolidates the petrol A4 and A5 line-up into one liftback and wagon model line.

The rear diffuser has been restyled with a more aggressive centre section, vertical reflectors – a trait of Audi RS cars – and the trademark four exhaust tips of Audi S cars, with a sports exhaust system fitted with a titanium silencer.

District Green, Ascari Blue, and Progressive Red metallic paint colours are now available, as well as a matte version of the existing gloss Daytona Grey.

The matrix LED headlights have been upgraded with 24 'pixel' elements, and the ability for owners to choose between four daytime-running light signatures through the touchscreen. The LED tail-lights also have a new signature.

Inside, there are new air-vent inserts, a subtly revised centre console, and a flatter design for the compact automatic gear shifter.

As with the regular A3, the 30-colour ambient lighting now runs around the centre console and cupholders, and the fabric on the front door panels is now laser-cut with 300 small holes so it can illuminate in five sections.

A new "technical textured fabric" dashboard inlay material is now available – in addition to the carry-over Dinamica microfibre, aluminium and carbon-fibre – while sports seats remain standard.

Audi has updated the 10.1-inch touchscreen with 'function-on-demand', which in the regular A3 allows features from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, to adaptive cruise control and satellite navigation to be purchased after the vehicle is delivered, either outright or rented for a limited time.

As a result, the hardware to support these features is standard in all vehicles sold in Europe – simplifying the production line for Audi – but it is not unlocked unless buyers pay extra when ordering the car from the factory, or purchase it through the touchscreen.

It is unclear if this technology will be offered in Australia.

The 2025 Audi S3 is due in European showrooms by the end of June.