Audi reveals first details of the upgraded S3

Audi has revealed some of the upgrades set for the updated S3.

As you might have expected, the car is set to get bump to its total power output. The new total power for the S3 is set to stand at 328bhp, while peak torque will now reach 420Nm (the outgoing model pushes out a total of 306bhp and 400Nm of torque).

The Audi S3 looks set to get a new rear diffuser alongside an Akrapovic quad exhaust system

This raised output sees the car now being able to complete the century sprint in 4.7 seconds, 0.1 seconds faster than before. Beyond the sheer numbers, Audi states that the tuning of the engine has also been optimised with a new throttle valve, which combines with a preloaded turbocharger to deliver increased engine response.

Also improved is the shift time of gearshifts from the seven-speed S tronic gearbox. Audi states that the gearshift time has been halved when the engine is under full load. This gearbox will now pair with a torque splitter which enables active, fully variable torque distribution between the rear wheels.

The 2.0-litre engine of the Audi S3 will be upgraded to deliver a new total of 328bhp alongside a new peak torque of 420Nm

Making use of this new hardware is a new 'dynamic plus' driving mode, which sets the car up to send more drive torque to the rear axle and the rear wheel on the outside of the curve, to allow the car to deliver more oversteer. This driving model also raises the idle speed of the 2.0-litre engine by 200rpm to 1,300rpm.

Allowing all this power to be reined in, meanwhile, is an updated McPherson strut axle with a new pivot bearing that enables a larger negative wheel camber. The camber at the front wheels of the car has more than doubled to just under 1.5 degrees, allowing the car to offer improved steering response and more grip when cornering.

The car is also set to get larger ventilated discs at the front axle. These now measure a total of 357mm, and are held by twin-piston brake callipers complete with larger pads.