Audi South Africa has confirmed that two new Audi S models are now available in South Africa and another two are open to order.
S3 Sportback
We have already tested the three-door S3 in the December 2013 issue. The Sportback offers the added practicality of five doors, although there is fortunately almost no difference in terms of performance or fuel consumption.
Just to recap, the S3 Sportback’s 1 984 cm3 engine develops 206 kW at 5 500 r/min and 380 N.m between 1 800 and 5 500 r/min. No manual gearbox will be available, as the S tronic transmission will do duty, sending torque to all four wheels via Audi’s Quattro system.
Audi claims a zero to 100 km/h acceleration time of five seconds while top speed is limited to 250 km/h. Fuel consumption is said to be 6,9 litres/100 km. Compared with the previous S3 Sportback, the new model is 70 kg lighter at 1 445 kg.
Price: R500 500
SQ5 TDI
As is the case with BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Audi has now also started to offer performance versions of its SUV line up. The first model to be offered with an S nameplate is the Q5, called the SQ5 TDI. The 3,0-litre TDI engine uses two turbochargers to develop 230 kW and 650 N.m. The latter is already delivered from 1 450 r/min up to 2 800 r/min. It is interesting to note that this common rail system uses pressure of up to 2 000 bar, injecting up to eight shots of fuel into the cylinders per cycle. Performance figures are not that much slower than those of the S3 Sportback. The run from standstill to 100 km/h takes 5,1 seconds, while claimed fuel consumption is 6,8 litres/100 km.
Price: R794 500
TTS Special Edition
The second quarter of 2014 will see the introduction of the Audi’s 200 kW TTS Special Edition. However, if you want to get your hands on one of this last-off-the-line TTS models, you better be quick. Only 25 units of the total 500 units, which will be produced for the global market, will be heading to South Africa. Only two colours will be available, Imola Yellow or Nimbus Grey.
S3 Sedan
This compact sports sedan will be offered from May, but can now be ordered through Audi’s dealership network. Pricing has not yet been confirmed.
Which models are next?
During the end of the second quarter we will see the local launch of the updated S8 followed by Audi’s little pocket rocket in the form of the S1. In time for spring will be the S3 Cabriolet.