SPOT.
Photo of a Audi S3

Audi S3

Quattro since 1999; the 2024 S3 adds the RS 3's rear torque splitter.12

Researched November 9, 2026 from 26 sources

At a glance

0200400
207–328 hpPower
0510
4.7–6.9 s0–100 km/h
0125250
238–250 km/hTop speed
0250500
270–420 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,420–1,620 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.124512

Engine
1.8 L 20-valve turbo I4 (8L); 2.0 L turbo I4 (8P, 8V, 8Y)1
Layout
Transverse front engine, quattro all-wheel drive1
Gearbox
6-speed manual; 6/7-speed S tronic dual-clutch, depending on version111
Built at
Ingolstadt, Germany1

The story

Created in 1999 as the A3's performance offshoot, the S3 brought turbo power and quattro to the compact class. Today's sedan sits between the A3 and RS3; the original's Haldex system drove mainly the front wheels.13

1999: 8L: turbo power meets cabin luxury19992001: BAM replaces AMK: 222 hp20012006: 8P: 2.0 TFSI and 261 hp20062009: S tronic joins the 8P range20092013: 8V debuts with a new 2.0 TFSI20132014: 2015 sedan heads to the US20142016: 8V facelift: 306 hp, 400 Nm20162020: 8Y: Sportback and sedan, 306 hp20202024: 328 hp and RS 3 torque-splitter tricks2024 Audi A3: Introduced 1996Audi A3Audi S3 (8L): 1999–20038LAudi S3 (8P): 2006–20128PAudi S3 (8V): 2013–20208VAudi S3 (8Y): 2020–present8Y 1995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones12478
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
Introduced 1996Audi A3
1999–2003Audi S3 (8L)
2006–2012Audi S3 (8P)
2013–2020Audi S3 (8V)
2020–presentAudi S3 (8Y)
19998L: turbo power meets cabin luxury
2001BAM replaces AMK: 222 hp
20068P: 2.0 TFSI and 261 hp
2009S tronic joins the 8P range
20138V debuts with a new 2.0 TFSI
20142015 sedan heads to the US
20168V facelift: 306 hp, 400 Nm
20208Y: Sportback and sedan, 306 hp
2024328 hp and RS 3 torque-splitter tricks
  1. 1999

    8L: turbo power meets cabin luxury

    A 1.8 L turbo four and all-wheel drive meet big-Audi cabin luxury; the original S3 helps open a new category of fast compact cars.145

  2. 2001

    BAM replaces AMK: 222 hp

    The original APY engine's 207 hp grows to 222 hp with BAM, which replaces AMK in the facelift.14

  3. 2006

    8P: 2.0 TFSI and 261 hp

    The new 8P brings a 261 hp 2.0 L turbo four. Its transverse layout uses Haldex quattro rather than a Torsen center differential.1

  4. 2009

    S tronic joins the 8P range

    Deliveries begin in January. The dual-clutch option cuts 0–100 km/h to 5.5 seconds for the three-door and 5.6 for the Sportback.16

  5. 2013

    8V debuts with a new 2.0 TFSI

    A new 2.0 L turbo four makes 296 hp and 380 Nm. S tronic reaches 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds; the six-speed manual needs 5.4.17

  6. 2014

    2015 sedan heads to the US

    US-bound sedans get six-speed S tronic only. Car and Driver records 4.4 seconds to 60 mph with a UK test car.8

  7. 2016

    8V facelift: 306 hp, 400 Nm

    The Dutch-market S3 gets 306 hp; S tronic versions gain 400 Nm. Angular headlights and revised bumpers mark the 8V facelift.19

  8. 2020

    8Y: Sportback and sedan, 306 hp

    The fourth generation launches with 400 Nm, seven-speed S tronic and 4.8-second 0–100 km/h. Virtual cockpit plus joins the standard kit.110

  9. 2024

    328 hp and RS 3 torque-splitter tricks

    The 8Y upgrade brings 420 Nm and a rear torque splitter. Dynamic plus sends torque to the outside rear wheel to encourage oversteer.12

Every generation

  • Audi A3
    Audi A3Introduced 1996
  • Audi S3
    8L1999–2003
  • Audi S3
    8P2006–2012
  • Audi S3
    8V2013–2020
  • Audi S3
    8Y2020–present

Power over the years

From 207 hp to 328 hp in 25 years.

0100200300400 200020052010201520202025 hp 1999 · 207 hp · 8L APY2001 · 222 hp · 8L BAM2006 · 261 hp · 8P three-door2008 · 261 hp · 8P Sportback2013 · 296 hp · 8V launch2014 · 296 hp · 8V Cabriolet2015 · 292 hp · 8V US sedan2016 · 306 hp · 8V facelift (Netherlands)2020 · 306 hp · 8Y Sportback / sedan2024 · 328 hp · 8Y upgrade 328 hp 8Y upgrade 207 hp 8L APY
1247891012
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
19992078L APY
20012228L BAM
20062618P three-door
20082618P Sportback
20132968V launch
20142968V Cabriolet
20152928V US sedan
20163068V facelift (Netherlands)
20203068Y Sportback / sedan
20243288Y upgrade

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    S3 8L

    1999–2003

  • Standard

    S3 8P three-door / Sportback

    2006–2012

    261 hp
  • S3 Sedan

    Standard

    S3 Sedan

    2015

    292 hp
  • S3 8Y Sportback / Sedan

    Standard

    S3 8Y Sportback / Sedan

    2020

    306 hp
  • S3 Sportback / Sedan (2024 upgrade)

    Standard

    S3 Sportback / Sedan (2024 upgrade)

    2024

    328 hp

  • Standard

    S3 Prestige

    2025

    328 hp

  • Standard

    S3 Vorsprung

    2025

    328 hp

  • Special

    S3 8P Sportback Black Edition

    261 hp

  • Limited

    S3 edition one

    2020

    306 hp

  • Limited

    S3 Exclusive Edition

    2015

How to spot one

Look for

  • 8L: broader fenders and distinct bumpers give the original hatch its wider-shouldered appearance.4
  • 8L: 17-inch Avus alloys are the original standard wheels.1
  • 2015 sedan: look for four exhaust outlets.8
  • 2020 models: aluminum-colored door-mirror housings are a familiar S-model cue.10

Year by year

  1. 2000 facelift

    One-piece headlight/turn-signal units arrive, accompanied by revised front fenders and different taillight clusters.1

  2. 2008

    The five-door Sportback joins the three-door; the three-door also receives a mild facelift.1

  3. 2014

    A four-seat Cabriolet joins the range, using a fabric roof with an electrohydraulic operating mechanism.12

  4. 2016 facelift

    More angular headlights, dynamic rear indicators and reshaped bumpers and diffuser distinguish facelifted 8V cars.1

  5. 2020 (8Y)

    The range narrows to five-door hatchback and sedan, replacing the previous four-body-style lineup.1

  6. 2024 upgrade

    Flatter, wider frameless grille, L-shaped inserts and daytime-light pixels in three rows; up to four light signatures are selectable.2

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Audi S3
    S3
    Photo of a A3
    A3

    A3

    On the 2015 sedan, look for the S3's chunky body kit, silver mirror housings and four exhaust outlets.8

  • Photo of a Audi S3
    S3
    Photo of a RS3
    RS3

    RS3

    Compared with the 8P S3, the RS3 has more bulging bodywork; silver mirrors appear on both.115

  • Photo of a Audi S3
    S3
    Photo of a S4
    S4

    S4

    The 2015 S3 sedan is shorter, with a stubby trunklid that reveals its hatchback origins.8

Against its rivals

  • BMW 130i

    S3 vs BMW 130i

    Price as tested lower is better

    S330,395 £
    BMW 130i29,370 £
    18

  • S3 vs Alfa Romeo Brera V6

    Price as tested lower is better

    S330,395 £
    Alfa Romeo Brera V633,950 £
    18
  • Mazda 3 MPS

    S3 vs Mazda 3 MPS

    Price as tested lower is better

    S330,395 £
    Mazda 3 MPS19,495 £
    18
  • Acura Integra Type S

    S3 vs Acura Integra Type S

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    S34.2 s
    Acura Integra Type S5.1 s
    3

Prices

Value today $10.5K–$21.0K2425

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K$80K 20142016201820202022202420262028 Value today: $10,470–$21,000 2015 · $41,995 · US base sedan2015 · $49,950 · US Prestige, destination included2025 · $49,995 · US base sedan2025 · $56,195 · US Prestige base sedan2025 · $60,840 · US Prestige sedan, as tested 2021 · $38,000 · 2015 Launch Edition, modified, under 14k miles, BaT2025 · $13,000 · 1999 S3 RHD, 109k miles, BaT2025 · $21,000 · 2017 Premium Plus, modified, 64k miles, BaT2025 · $10,470 · 2000 S3 RHD, TT engine swap, 131k miles, BaT $38.0K BaT, 2021
381617242526
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2015Price when new$41,995US base sedan
2015Price when new$49,950US Prestige, destination included
2025Price when new$49,995US base sedan
2025Price when new$56,195US Prestige base sedan
2025Price when new$60,840US Prestige sedan, as tested
2021Auction sale$38,0002015 Launch Edition, modified, under 14k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$13,0001999 S3 RHD, 109k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$21,0002017 Premium Plus, modified, 64k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$10,4702000 S3 RHD, TT engine swap, 131k miles, BaT
2026Value today$10,470–$21,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “The 2015 sedan outlaunched the manual S4”
    • “BTCC's first car adapted for a disabled driver”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 4 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 26 sources
  1. Audi S3 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. High-performance, agile, expressive: the new Audi S3 | audi.com audi.com
  3. Seems Like Old Times: 4 Performance Sedans Compared caranddriver.com
  4. Audi S3 (8L) kaufen: Ratgeber autozeitung.de
  5. Audi S3 (8L) - Carfans carfans.fr
  6. Audi S3 nu ook met S tronic-transmissie nieuws.audi.nl
  7. 2013 - 2020 Audi S3 - Images, Specifications and Information ultimatecarpage.com
  8. Tested: 2015 Audi S3 Rips to 60 in 4.4 Seconds caranddriver.com
  9. Nieuwe Audi A3: technologie-update voor Audi’s bestseller nieuws.audi.nl
  10. Compleet in sportiviteit: Audi S3 nu te bestellen nieuws.audi.nl
  11. Used Audi S3 (8V) review - ReDriven redriven.com
  12. Das Audi S3 Cabriolet | Audi Medienportal audipress.ch
  13. 2006 - 2012 Audi S3 - Images, Specifications and Information ultimatecarpage.com
  14. Audi S3 review – the RS3’s deputy is now a worthy hot hatch | evo evo.co.uk
  15. Audi S3 Sportback (2003-2012) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  16. Original-Owner Modified 2015 Audi S3 Launch Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $38,000 on July 26, 2021 (Lot #51,899) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  17. 2015 Audi S3 Exclusive Edition Available in Five New Colors motortrend.com
  18. Alfa Romeo Brera V6 v Audi S3 v BMW 130i v Mazda 3 MPS | evo evo.co.uk
  19. Erwin Leo Himmel - Designerprofil | Stylepark stylepark.com
  20. Erwin Leo Himmel - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Audi A3 / S3 – Inside BTCC insidebtcc.com
  22. The Class of 2020: Audi S3 – TouringCarTimes touringcartimes.com
  23. Jake Hill secures maiden BTCC win in Knockhill finale – TouringCarTimes touringcartimes.com
  24. Right-Hand-Drive 2000 Audi S3 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,470 on December 11, 2025 (Lot #222,992) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  25. No Reserve: Modified 2017 Audi S3 Premium Plus for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $21,000 on September 18, 2025 (Lot #210,569) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  26. No Reserve: Right-Hand-Drive 1999 Audi S3 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,000 on September 18, 2025 (Lot #210,586) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • audi.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • autozeitung.de
  • carfans.fr
  • nieuws.audi.nl
  • ultimatecarpage.com
  • redriven.com
  • audipress.ch
  • evo.co.uk
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • bringatrailer.com
  • motortrend.com
  • stylepark.com

Photo credits

Other car files