2013 Audi S3

The long-stroke 2.0 TFSI in the Audi S3 has been developed from scratch. The only thing it has in common with its predecessor, which was named Engine of the Year five times in a row between 2005 and 2009, is its displacement of 1,984 cc (bore x stroke 82.5 x 92.8 millimeters [3.25 x 3.65 in]). The four-cylinder unit delivers a constant 380 Nm (280.27 lb-ft) of torque to the crankshaft between 1,800 and 5,500 rpm. Rated power at 5,500 rpm is 221 kW (300 hp), and the engine redlines at 6,800 rpm.

The Audi S3 delivers impressive performance. The sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) is completed in 5.1 seconds when equipped with the S tronic (5.4 seconds with the manual transmission). The electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph) is just a formality. The S3 with S tronic consumes on average just 6.9 liters of fuel per 100 km (manual: 7.0 liters) [34.09 and 33.60 US mpg]. This corresponds to CO2 emissions 159 (162) grams per kilometer (255.89 and 260.17 g/mile) and for models equipped with the manual transmission, an improvement of 1.5 liters compared with the previous version.

The new Audi S3 comes standard with a manual six-speed transmission with a lightweight magnesium case. The optional S tronic boasts high efficiency and a tall sixth gear. The lower gears are short in the interest of dynamics, as is also the case with the manual transmission.

The S tronic comprises two subunits, with two multi-plate clutches controlling the gears. The large K1 clutch located on the outside directs the torque via a solid shaft to the gear wheels for gears 1, 3 and 5. A hollow shaft rotates around the solid shaft. It is connected to the smaller K2 clutch, which is integrated inside its larger sibling, and which acts on the gear wheels for gears 2, 4 and 6, as well as reverse.