2009 Audi S3 Sportback: no DSG for you!

2009 Audi S3 Sportback

The 2009 Audi S3 Sportback compact station wagon come full of sports ambitions and is powered by the very same 2.0-liter TFSI engine that we have already seen on the new Audi S3 hot hatch.

With 265 horses neatly packed under its bulging hood, the car accelerates from zero to 62mph in a pretty much impressive 5.8 seconds. That is only 0.1 second slower than the lighter hatchback can achieve in ideal conditions.

The only reason the car is slower, is that the gorgeous DSG 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox is still not available with the model. Instead, the Sportback’s engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with the standard Quattro driveline.

Staying at the top of the A3/S3 range, the 2009 Audi S3 Sportback comes equipped with such standard features as a set of 18-inch alloy wheels with nice 10-spoke rims, black-painted brake calipers on huge 17-inch disk brakes, new suspension setup that sets the car 25mm (almost 1 inch) closer to the road, xenon plus headlamps with sexy LED daytime running lights, new corporate grille with vertical chromed bars, new bumpers and roof spoiler.

Inside the car, you will also find such amenities as new sports seats available in cloth, Alcantara/leather and full leather trim, aluminum pedals, black or silver headlining and three different styles of inlay.

Although the car will come to dealerships this summer, there is still no info on its European pricing. However, I can guesstimate that the S3 Sportback will be priced closer to its main competitors sitting somewhere between the Mazda3 MPS and top of the range BMW 3-Series Touring models.

Photos: Audi

See also: Peugeot 207 SW RC performance wagon