2013 Audi S3: First Spy Shots

A few days after all-new Audi Q6’s first appearance, another new model from the German brand shows its face. This time we’re talking about the 2013 Audi S3 and these new spy shots were taken while the Audi hot hatch was out testing.

Making use of the three-door configuration, this is the body shape that we wish Audi had built the RS3 in instead of the Sportback. However, there will also be five-door and four-door sedan and any of these could be offered in sporty S3 guise as well.

In these pictures you can see the trademark quad exhaust tailpipe arrangement on this prototype, a clue which confirms that this is a performance model.

The 2013 Audi S3 will come with a new generation of 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which could develop as much as 280 horsepower. While this isn’t much higher than the current model’s 261 horsepower, the new S3 is expected to be significantly lighter than the one it replaces, ensuring greater performance. The extra kick from the engine will be sent to all four wheels via either a six-speed manual or the optional S tronic dual clutch gearbox.

Beside this, the 2013 A3 range will be offered with a number of different powertrain types including hybrid, plug-in hybrid and possibly even all-electric e-tron drive systems eventually.

Look out for the 2013 Audi A3’s debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show next March, with the new S3 to follow shortly after.

As for the prices, rumor say that the 2013 Audi S3 will be priced somewhere between $70,000 and $80,000.

Source: Autoevolution