Roughly a year ago, Audi launched the current generation S3 in Europe. The new Audi hot hatch replaced the original version – a car that had made a name for itself sharing the first-gen TT’s 225-hp 1.8T drivetrain. When the second S3 hit market, it led the way with a more potent 262-hp 2.0T – a worthy successor unique to the Audi lineup… at least until now. Two weeks ago in Detroit, Audi pulled a checkered flag patterned car cover from first-ever production Audi TTS. Due to go on sale later this year in both Europe and then the States, the TTS shares the S3’s upgraded 2.0T mill. That in mind, a re-examination of Audi’s hottest hatch seems timely.

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Would love to see even a 5-dr S3 S-Tronic. And they could sweeten the pot by giving it the TT's aluminum front structure & magnetic ride. My A3 should be paid off in 2010

It seems to me that an S3 Sportback is a no-brainer for AoA at this point. Probably not until the last two MYs of the current A3 though. So what is that? 2010/2011? I guess we'll see if the European rumors bear it out. Everything for it is in the TTS. Why not?

I'll take mine in Ibis or Mugello.

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2006 Audi A3 3.2Q

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Drive!

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Neuspeed sport springs,koni fsd,Awe catback,Atp downpipe,Neuspeed p-flo&Carbon fiber engine cover,S-line blkout grill,Votex sideskirts,LED tails,6000k HID,S3 shiftknob&brake handle,TT alum light switch,TT alum pedals,S-line flat bottom steering wheel,forge dv,AWE Boost Gauge,ECS Spacers& Dogbone Mnt

With the engine federalized, it just made the S3 that much more possible. The question is though, with Audi's concern the amount of model/drivetrain combinations at play (there are already sooo many for a sub 100,000 unit per year company), do you add the S3 when the 3.2 and 2.0T are already here? I'm hoping they choose to do so, and the new CAFE standards may help make that happen as the S3's 2.0T should do significantly better mileage than the 3.2 based on what can be seen with the TT.

"Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne."

x5 - hook me up! I'll hang onto my '07 till then.

NEXT STEP

AUDI PLEASE PUT THIS SAME ENGINE IN THE NEW A4 NOW THAT WOULD BE AWESOME .THIS 2.0 TURBO S WOULD REPLACE THE STANDARD 2.0T ENGINE.

THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.

Too bad the S3 has two door too few.

I would imagine convertibles have to get a completely separate federalization due to the lack of roof. Seeing as Audi has no problem selling convertibles in the U.S. they should have no problem with R.O.I.

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2006 Audi A3 3.2Q

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Drive!

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http://i98.photobucket.com/alb...8.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/alb...s.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/alb...9.jpg

Correct. Cabriolet is not coming to the USA.

why is that europe get all the cool sh*t? not just the cooler models (s3) but options too. cool s-line seat etc....

Neuspeed sport springs,koni fsd,Awe catback,Atp downpipe,Neuspeed p-flo&Carbon fiber engine cover,S-line blkout grill,Votex sideskirts,LED tails,6000k HID,S3 shiftknob&brake handle,TT alum light switch,TT alum pedals,S-line flat bottom steering wheel,forge dv,AWE Boost Gauge,ECS Spacers& Dogbone Mnt

First thing that comes to mind is that these ARE European cars. Wouldn't it be unfair for North Americans to get the cool ish before those who designed it?

I'm sure there are a whole bunch of other, more practical reasons.

http://mydubspace.com/kwanja3

There are a couple main factors at play. First, it is prohibitively expensive to federalize a car for sale in the United States. There's engine federalization, crash-testing, etc. and then you have to deal with the politics of engine/drivetrain complication/costs in stocking all of the configurations and making sure dealers are aware of what's what.

Add this to the fact that just under 100,000 Audis are sold in the USA. That makes the USA the second or third biggest market for the brand depending on the year, and two of the usual top three (China's catching up) are the UK and Germany. Germany, in particular, is cheaper to sell to largely because much of the costs of bringing a car to market can be spread out Europe-wide since their laws and regs are basically the same.

Finally, most of us are probably more Europe-minded, willing to wait longer and spend more on a car if we can tailor it to our own tastes and needs. Most American consumers don't care about that. They want it locally and they want it now. Most Europeans custom-order their cars and wait weeks for them or take delivery at factory delivery centers.

The seats? They weren't developed for side airbags. To do so would cost about $1M more in development costs I'm told, so they're not an option for the USA. Too bad. There are a lot of people who'd likely buy them.

That's interesting about the seats. I didn't realize there was no side airbag requirement in the EU.

Focus ST as well.

Thanks.

"Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne."