2024 Audi S3 Engine, Price, Interior – Although the market is moving towards crossovers and SUVs with the sedans losing a lot of traction in terms of sales, the entry-level premium compact sedans segment is still pretty competitive and after refreshing the A3, Audi is all set to bring in the all-new 2024 S3 sedan to the US. Audi isn’t going to bring the Sportback variant unlike Europe and will get a standard 2-liter turbocharged engine as standard with a higher power output of 306 hp standard.
As the prices and available features are yet to be finalized for our market, we would like to reserve our comments in this regard. That being said, as per the 2023 model year, we believe the Premium Plus trim would make for a better choice due to the added safety and convenience features.
2024 Audi S3 Redesign
Exterior
Audi has finally given a necessary makeover to the S3 to differentiate it from the lower-powered conventional A3 sedan. Dominating the front is an all-new grille with large air dams and the matrix LED headlights flanked on both sides. The rear gets an updated tail lamp setup with new quad exhaust tips that showcase the sporty intent of the car. Overall, the design is smooth and fluidic in nature and the new sports suspension setup has lowered the stance of the car by over half an inch as compared to the current model.
The BMW M235i is the lightest car in this comparison as it is also one of the most compact sedans in this comparison. Add to that the high ground clearance and scraping over curbs should never be a concern. This is where the Alfa Romeo struggles as it rides lowest to the ground and also offers a considerably longer wheelbase than the other cars present in this comparison. It is also the longest and widest sedan here, which also affects the performance due to the additional weight.
Interior
Audi recently showcased the toggle-switch gear selector for the new 2024 Audi A3 and as per the released images of the S3, it is going to be carried forward for the S3. We are yet to see how those feel in the real world, but purists would definitely miss the gear shifter lever. Other than that, expect the cabin to be carried forward as it is from the A3 in terms of design. That being said, Audi has made subtle yet noticeable changes for the 2024 S3 over the A3 to make it feel sportier. Grippy new sports seats are now standard with quilted leather seat inserts for the S3 while the flat-bottomed steering wheel adds a sporty touch.
Inside the cabin of the new Audi S3, Audi offers the large 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit that nicely merges with the even larger 12.3-inch infotainment system. Unlike the A3 which gets the 10.1-inch system as standard, the S3 offers a larger display which enhances the overall feel of the dashboard. The trunk size of the 2024 S3 has increased from 10 cu-ft to now more usable 13.1 cu-ft. Only the Mercedes-Benz AMG A35 has a larger cargo space to offer as the BMW has a marginally smaller trunk capacity.
2024 Audi S3 Engine
The 2024 Audi S3 is expected to be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine which now produces 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque as compared to the 288 hp and 280 lb-ft of the current generation. The Quattro all-wheel drive is standard, as is the 7-speed automatic transmission. As per Audi’s reports, the new S3 is expected to sprint to 60 mph in less than 4.8 seconds from a standstill, which makes it quicker than the current model. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the most affordable of the lot but does not match up to the performance standards of the German giants, offering the slowest acceleration timings amongst the cars present here. The Mercedes-AMG A35 is the priciest of the lot but is also the fastest car here.
Since the 2024 S3 is yet to make it to the American shores, we can’t really comment on the exact details in this regard. That being said, considering the changes made to the suspension setup, the ride is expected to get firm with a tighter chassis. Audi has also lowered the S3 and with the higher performance output from the engine, expect the S3 to outperform its current counterpart which did feel on the softer side, similar to the basic Audi A3.
2024 Audi S3 Price and Release Date
Sharing the platform, styling, and technology with the Audi A3, the 2024 S3 is intended to be the sportier sedan with an updated suspension setup and lowered stance. Apart from that, there is also a sportier exterior design and new sporty seats to make it feel more distinct from its conventional sibling. With the prices expected to be around MSRP of $45,000 for the base trim, It competes against the likes of the more popular compact performance sedans like the Alfa Romeo Giulia, BMW M235i Gran Coupe, and the Mercedes-Benz AMG A35.
