2013 Audi S3 Revealed, Australia Sticking With 5-door

Audi's new A3 range is picking up steam, with the new Sportback model joining the recently-revealed three-door style this week.

Now, Audi has pulled the sheets from the range's new flagship (for now), the three-door S3 hero. However, as with the current range, Australian buyers will be limited to the five-door Sportback model.

Powered by a 2.0 litre TFSI four-cylinder engine, which Audi promises is an all-new beast, the new S3 delivers a hefty 221kW and 380Nm of torque - a massive leap from the old model's 195kW and 350Nm (in overseas markets). 

The new engine's output is also a good bit greater than the predictions of reports earlier this year, which had suggested a figure closer to 210kW.

The new engine, along with the lightened new A3 body, gives the 2013 S3 a 0-100km/h time of 5.1 seconds with the S tronic auto - down from 5.5 seconds in the predecessor - and not far off the 4.6 second sprint of the RS 3 flagship.

Owners with a preference for rowing their own gears are promises a 5.4-second run with the six-speed manual transmission.

Fuel consumption for the new engine is also improved, falling to 6.9 l/100km with the auto and 7.0 l/100km with the manual. That's compared to 8.3 and 8.5 l/100km for the outgoing S3.