S3 Gets 'Smooth Shaft' And 296bhp

According to Audi's press release, the new S3 hot hatch benefits from 'smooth shafts', 'innovative piston skirts' and 'friction rings'. Because this sounds both extremely boring and weird in equal measure, what you really do need to know is that this new S3 - a car we've seen at the Paris motor show - is Audi's answer to the BMW M135i and upcoming Mercedes A45 AMG. That means quattro all-wheel drive, big power and buff looks.

But let’s start under the hood, shall we? Like the current S3, the new boy’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. Unlike the current S3, however, this one churns out a meaty 296bhp (35bhp more than before), meaning it’ll crack the dash to 62mph in just 5.1sec with Audi's S Tronic gearbox. For everyone else, 5.4sec with the standard six speeder will have to do…

As for the S3's top speed, that's regulated to 155mph. Yawn.

Now that we’ve established that the S3 goes like stink, let’s look at the exterior. Big wheels are of course a must, and the S3’s five-spoke 18s takes care of that one. Add to that Xenon lights, LEDs, a roof spoiler and gangster-spec quad exhausts and you’re onto a winner.

Inside the S3's cabin, it's Audi business as usual, including the obligatory flat-bottomed steering wheel, leather sports seats and slick dashboard design.

So what’s the damage? While we’re still waiting for Audi to announce the price (chop, chop, Audi), what we know now is that the S3 costs from €38,900 in Germany. In solid currency, that’s around £31k.