Audi has finally pulled the covers off of the new Audi A3->ke1086 Sedan and with it, the German automaker also introduced its S-variant, the equally new S3 Sedan. Oh joy.

Scheduled to meet the world at the New York Auto Show->ke226, the new S3 is already getting quite the attention from a lot of people in large part because Audi hasn't had a small sports sedan in its line-up in a long time.

So you can say that the new S3 has a lot of expectations attached to it, in large part because you can never have enough people clamoring for a German sports sedan that they can actually afford.

Mercedes went ahead and revealed the CLA-Class earlier this year, so it was only the right time for Audi to join the German sports sedan party in America. There's a sentence we never thought we'd write.

If you've been waiting for this day to come, well, wait no longer because details of the new Audi S3 Sedan can be found after the jump.

Updated 06/19/2014: Audi announced today prices for the 2015 S3 sedan set to go on sale late summer of this year. Prices will start from $41,100.

2015 Audi S3 Sedan

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Audi S3 Sedan
  • Engine/Motor: TFSI
  • Horsepower: 296
  • Torque: 280
  • Transmission: S-tronic transmission
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Notice that the new S3 Sedan looks like it's got the stance of a car with pronounced shoulders and the demeanor of a car that means business. There's no accident on why the S3 looks this way.

Autoblog managed to talk to Audi design director, Wolfgang Egger, the S3's technical project manager, Alex Pesch, and found out that all the exterior panels on the S3 had to be changed from the setup of its S3 Sportback counterpart. This was done in large part to provide broaden the stance of the sports sedan, something that you immediately notice with the S3.

The front and rear profiles of the S3 also look more pronounced, appealing to the customer who can enjoy the modified bumpers, the improved single-frame grille, the new side sills, air intakes, exterior mirror housings, and the subtle, yet ultimately useful, rear spoiler.

Standard 18-inch wheels are also part of the equation with optional 19-inch versions ready to be fitted in at the customer’s request. The car's unique suspension setup ensures that the overall ride height of the S3 sedan is lowered by an impressive 25 mm (0.98 inches).

Interior

While there isn't anything revolutionary about the new S3 Sedan's interior, it does come with what we think is a simpler and less cluttered look, particularly the car's dashboard. But even with this approach, Audi still managed to add a few new features into the cabin, including new sport sets that can be upgraded to S-line performance seats, instruments with gray dials, and trim strips in black 3D look.

When the adage apparently became simpler is better and cleaner, Audi made sure that the S3 Sedan lived by it.

Drivetrain

Powering the new Audi S3 Sedan is a 2.0-liter TFSI engine that produces 296 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It probably would've been better if it hit 300 ponies, but at any rate, we'll take what we can get.

Besides, it's not like the S3 is a slouch by any means. It can actually accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.9 seconds when mated to an S tronic transmission and 5.3 seconds when you combine the engine with a manual transmission. Whatever gearbox it comes with, top speed is limited electronically to 155 mph.

Equally appealing about the S3 Sedan is the fact that with its four-cylinder turbo, you can carry a combined fuel consumption of around 34 mpg with a CO2 equivalent of about 260.71 g/mile.

Pricing

On the U.S. market, the 2015 S3 sedan will be priced from $41,100.

Competition

S3 Premium

$41,100

S3 Premium Plus

$TBA

S3 Prestige

$TBA


Competition

Mercedes Cla 45 AMG

Audi is banking on the new S3 Sedan to be competitive to the Mercedes CLA-Class. Although the numbers appear to sway on the side of the Audi - the new S3 is much more powerful than the CLA 250, which "only" carries an output of 208 horsepower. However, the CLA45 AMG comes with a heftier amount of oomph that places it above the S3. Reconfigured by the skilled folks over at AMG, the 2.0-liter four-banger now outputs 360 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque.

Mated to an AMG Speedshift, seven-speed DCT, the mill enables the CLA45 AMG to scream from naught to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than its Audi-badged rival. Top speed on the other hand, sits at 155 mph for both models. The CLA also has some luxury qualities to it, something that the S3 does have to, but not in the abundance that the CLA-Class can boast. On the other hand, the CLA45 AMG is not cheap at $48,375 before options.

Cadillac ATS

It might not have a "V" attached to its name, but the 2014 Cadillac ATS can keep up with the Audi S3 if selected in the proper trim. With 272 horsepower and 260 pound-feet on tap and a 0-to-60-mph sprint of 5.9 seconds, the 2.0-liter turbo version is a tad slow. However, the ATS fitted with the 3.6-liter V-6 mill will take you up to the 60-mph mark in a matter of 5.2 seconds when all four wheels are active.

That's still 0.3 seconds slower than the S3, but the 321 ponies and the 275 pound-feet of twist roaring under the hood are bound to grab your attention when the hammer drops. And because the ATS sits in a class above the S3, you'll also benefit from a roomier interior, a classy cabin and a long sheet of standard features. Unfortunately, the V-6 ATS is not a wallet-friendly car, as the model retails from $42,090 in RWD guise and from $44,090 when equipped with AWD.

Conclusion

The new S3 Sedan lives up to its billing as a fanciful entry-level sports sedan that packs quite a punch relative to its competition. The only concern we have about the S3 is that it doesn't have the kind of overabundant modifications normally associated with a new-generation model.

Ultimately, it's pick what you like with the S3 Sedan. If you want power on a "budget", this one is as good as it gets. If you want a car that feels more like a real sedan and not an extended hatchback, you're better off going somewhere else.