2025 Audi S3 facelift revealed with power boost to match cheaper VW sibling

The 2025 Audi S3 hot hatch and sedan have debuted with more power boost to match its Volkswagen Golf R corporate sibling.

As detailed in February, the all-wheel-drive S3 has received a mid-life facelift with performance improvements – including a power boost for its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo ‘EA888’ engine from 228kW/400Nm to 245kW/420Nm (up 17kW and 20Nm), which is aligned with the latest version of the related Volkswagen Golf R hot hatch.

The S3’s 0-100km/h sprint time has improved one-tenth of a second to 4.7 seconds – which still falls short of the 4.6-second result claimed for the newest Golf R.

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Other improvements include a new rear-biased ‘dynamic plus’ drive mode borrowed from its more-powerful RS3 sibling, which sends as much torque as possible to the rear axle to increase oversteer.

The drive mode also automatically shortens the gearshifts and increases the idle speed from 200 rpm to 1300 rpm.

There is also a revised tune for the S3’s engine and transmission, with a higher starting torque for the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic achieved through stronger compression of the clutch pack.

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In addition, the shift time for gearshifts under full load has been halved.

Another feature borrowed from the RS3 is a torque splitter, which allows for fully variable torque distribution between the rear wheels with an electronically controlled multiple disc clutch on each drive shaft to distribute it between the rear wheel on the inside and the outside of the curve.

Audi has also fitted stiffer suspension, a revised progressive steering ratio, updated electronic stability control and torque vectoring programming, and larger front brake discs with a higher thermal and load capacity.

As with the facelifted A3 revealed last month, exterior design revisions for the S3 include a flatter and wider grille, an updated lower front bumper, a new rear bumper, and four new colours: district green, ascari blue, progressive red and matte daytona grey.

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New headlights that allow drivers to choose between four different daytime running light signatures are fitted, which also support different coming home/leaving home scenarios.

The customisable digital daytime running lights – which debuted in the Q4 E-Tron electric SUV – are possible with the 24-pixel elements in three rows on the upper edge of the housing.

Inside, the updated S3 features thinner air vents to emphasise the width of the cockpit, an updated centre console with a new finish and a flatter gear shifter toggle, and a newly optional Sonos audio system with 3D surround sound.

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The ambient lighting system has been extended to the doors, footwell, centre console and cup holders, while the insides of the front doors are now backlit with the fabric panel laser-cut 300 times to enable this feature. Up to 30 colours can be selected via the infotainment system.

The adaptive cruise control – which is already standard-fit in Australia – now includes a lane change function that uses data from the rear radar to determine if it is possible to change lanes and assist the driver.

Like the A3, the updated 2025 Audi S3 hatch and sedan are due in Australia towards the end of 2024, with more details – including pricing and features – to be confirmed closer to launch.