2009 Audi A3/S3 hatchbacks: not only plastic surgery

April 25th, 2008

Competing against the new Mini Clubman, Opel Astra and BMW 1-Series, the mighty pair of 2009 Audi A3/S3 sports hatchbacks looks somewhat bleak, but delivers a lot of horsepower and comes equipped with an ultra-fast 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a new magnetic ride system.

The range-topping 2009 Audi S3 will come to market with a mighty 265 hp 2.0 TFSI engine identical to the one installed into the new Audi A4 Avant.

The not so hot Audi A3 line will get a wider range of engines. It starts with an entry-level 1.6-liter 102 hp motor that can run on E85 bio-ethanol fuel, and then goes higher and higher with the 1.4 TFSI (125 hp), the 1.8 TFSI (160 hp), 2.0 TFSI (200 hp), 3.2 Quattro six cylinder (250 hp), 1.9 TDI (105 hp) and 2.0 TDI with either 140 hp (103 kW) or 170 hp (125 kW).

The 3-door A3 will be 2.5 cm longer (totaling 4.24 meters) than the older version and its trunk has grown to 1800 liters.

The refreshed car will be available this Summer at a base price of €20,350.