Is that it....?

[DuncS3]

Autocar rate the new A4 B7

but yes they like BMW

Dunc

[Ryan_s3]

hmmm good point ,they would probably want the car to have more oomph than the 250 3.2.Still i've got to think it's got to be a version of the 2.0fsi out of the golf gti.Autocar reckon late 2006 for the s3.Maybe 280bhp then??

[DuncS3]

maybe the S3 will 'compete' against the R36 which is rumoured to be around 260 I think...VAG have a new 3.6 engine...

Dunc

[Scotty]

It all depends whether you believe there will be a S3 and an RS3. If there will only be one then it's a lot easier. If there are to be two then they can't allow the S3 engine to be too high. If it was it wouldn't give the RS3 market space without impacting on S4 etc. Of course the chassis platform has it's restrictions as well.

S models aren't just about increases in power. They come as a package of performance improvements. It could be an S3 has similar power to a 3.2 (maybe a few more bhp to assist in marketing it) but possibly lighter and with more sporty brakes/suspension etc. I'd actually expect a higher power output 2.0FSI Turbo. The lighter weight at the front will improve handling and performance.

[Ryan_s3]

definetly 2.0 turbo s3 ,lets go for 260bhp then guys.Are we all happy with this?I'd put my name down for one anyway.

[S3rdias]

It´s difficult to say. I really dont´believe that there is going to be an RS3
The idea of a turbo-charged version instead of a NA sounds interesting let´s hope that it comes with at least 280bhp ....

[CH3OH]

Hi, I am new here !! I am a South African living and working in Hong Kong. I have been reading this forum for a while. Just for the record I am a die-hard Audi fanatic

OK, I am also going through the same dilemma as you guys. You see I am planning to go back home next year (2006) and I am anxiously awaiting news / info on the RS3 and S3 because I want to get 1. I check out all my favourite Audi forums in the hope some information is revealed. I have already placed an order for an RS3 (first on the list).

My dealer in SA has suggested that the S3 is going to be V6 3.2 N/A, but says he has also heard rumour that i could be a 280hp 2.0T.

Interesting times ahead.

Ciao

Ved

[Ryan_s3]

with the rs4 being na i reckon that the new s3 could be the 3.4 v6 rather than the 2.0 t.

[gavsteryoung]

And just my 2p worth, I reckon they will apply the same technology that the new RS4 has... so big displacement engine, but one that will rev to 8250+ rpm.... probably looking at 300-320 bhp I would have thought!

Unless Audi feel the disapointment people feel with the RS4 only being a N/A engine and so strap two small turbos onto the 3.2 FSI engine.... to give 320-340 bhp!!

Nice!

[Nige_RS4]

I've just had a call from my Audi Dealer asking to transfer me onto the national register for all RS/limited edition cars. I told the sales chap that I doubt very much that an RS3 will be prodcued and his response was "it's not clear how Audi will badge the 'hot' S/RS version of the A3, but expect an ouput of around 320bhp."

In my view, there are only a number of ways to produce this level of power from the range of engines that Audi has, so you can rule out the NA 3.2 V6, as I doubt that this is currentlycapable of producing 320bhp without a turbo (or two). I also think the 2.0T engine is not sufficiently developed to increase it to 320bhp just yet, so the jurys out still on both the badging and engine choice. My preference would be a 3.2v6 twin-turbo RS3 in limited numbers, but I doubt the bean-counters in Audi agree!

[DuncS3]

The new Passat has a 280 bhp 3.6 VR6 engine and VW have registered the 'R36' so I have read.

Bets on that engine for me in a new S3 (no RS3 for my 2nd bet)....fits too in the model line up in terms of power....

Dunc

[Ryan_s3]

I agree with you dunc,not sure if i want a 3.6 s3.I really wanted a 2.0 turbo.I think i'll stick with my "should have been" rs3.

[Ryan_s3]

I agree with you dunc,I think there will be a s3 which i think will be a derivitive of the 2.0 fsi turbo with around 250bhp.stick your 1k down on one of these.

It is a 2.0fsi T with 256bhp,good guess eh!

[Scotty]

It could be an S3 has similar power to a 3.2 (maybe a few more bhp to assist in marketing it) but possibly lighter and with more sporty brakes/suspension etc. I'd actually expect a higher power output 2.0FSI Turbo. The lighter weight at the front will improve handling and performance.

OK So I was a little more confident that "expect" but I couldn't publish it as fact!

[DuncS3]

well at last - the news is out - and sounds good to me. So its a 260 bhp turbo then? Which should be really interesting as thats chipped (old) S3 power, which is no slouch.

Shame I'm out of the 3 door hatchback market myself

Dunc