Wednesday 30th November 2005

Audi tweaks S line models

A3, A4 and A6 get external and internal updates

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New Audi S line A3

Audi is tweaking the S line versions of the A3 and A6, while updating the spec for the S line A4 and Avant. There's a lot of tweaks -- read carefully.

Three-door A3 and five-door A3 Sportback S line models are now more visibly distinct from their standard, SE and Sport counterparts. They get new front and rear bumper designs, and an S line-specific front grille and rear spoiler.

Previously available as an option for A3 S line models, the exterior styling upgrade is now a standard S line feature, along with 18-inch five-spoke alloys, S line badging, combination leather and cloth-upholstered sports seats, and a perforated leather-trimmed S line sports steering wheel.

The new all-encompassing S line specification is available for all A3 and A3 Sportback Sport models, with the exception of 1.6 101bhp petrol and 1.9 TDI 104bhp versions, at an extra cost of £1,550 - a reduction of £450 compared with the original combined cost of the S line and S line exterior upgrade options. As a result, A3 S line prices now start at £19,730, rising to £26,690.

Transmission options

The new S line Special Edition versions of the responsive 197bhp A3 and A3 Sportback 2.0 T FSI are also now available with either front-wheel-drive or quattro four-wheel-drive and a choice of eitehr manual transmission or the DSG. Priced from £21,795, the six S line Special Edition 2.0 T FSI models offer full Vienna leather upholstery in place of the regular part leather and Speed cloth S line combination, and offer a saving of around £2,000 compared with an equivalent S line model with options specified separately.

A4 S line models

Audi's updated the S line spec for A4 Saloon and Avant models too, while shaving the price by £750 for all versions. A4 S line range prices now start at £19,950 and rise to £29,565.

Upgrades start with 17-inch parallel twin spoke to 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, cloth-upholstered front sports seats with electric lumbar adjustment, a Concert II audio system with single CD, electric rear windows and a three-spoke leather-rimmed S line steering wheel.

The turbocharged 2.0-litre FSI petrol engine is available for the new A4 S line Special Edition, as either a front-wheel-drive saloon or Avant model for £23,995 and £25,145, or with quattro four-wheel-drive for £25,395 and £26,545 respectively.

Powered by the upgraded 217bhp version of the 2.0 T FSI engine -- first seen in the limited run A4 DTM Edition and adopting its 18-inch 15-spoke alloy wheels -- the A4 S line Special Edition gets leather upholstery inside, and include black exhaust tail pipes and ventilated cross-drilled front disc brakes externally.

A6 Saloon and Avant

The S line styling upgrade is now standard in the S line premium for the A6 saloon and Avant. For four-cylinder models it costs £3,040; for V6 petrol and TDIs, £2,890 and for the 4.2 V8 quattro, £1,780. A6 S line range prices now start at £28,380, rising to £47,170.

The new S line exterior identifiers include "a more sporting design" for the front and rear bumpers, automatic headlamp washers, and S line front grille design and emblem. Eighteen-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, lowered S line sports suspension and S line insignias are included.

Inside, S line models gain front sports seats with electrically adjustable lumbar support, embossed S line emblems in the back rests and leather side sections. Facia inlays are in brushed aluminium, while a three-spoke sports steering wheel trimmed in perforated leather and perforated leather covering for the gear knob.

Got that? Now explain it to an Audi dealer...

[new scot]

Wow!!! How exciting is this??? Too much to cope with??? I've been looking to replace my much-loved but overly-impractial Cooper S Convertible and have tried the brightest and best from Jaguar, BMW, Audi and Mercedes recently. If only I had waited for the S-line updates ...

I had lots of fun - highlights:

One dealer in the capital (of Scotland) has a new demo 330D Sport with wild five-spoke oversized alloys - looked almost good enough to own. Popped into the Glasgow central dealer a few day later - same model, same wheels, more bodykit etc. Perhaps a coincidence?

However, a £35K 3 series & it needs a £2.5K of wheels and tyres: for me a step too far.

Audi: the dealers' attitudes continue to limit their effectiveness. The cars have become too smooooth.

Mercedes: too much emphasis on "bargain pricing" and none on what I wanted ... Jaguar, a similar story.

Then I read dearly beloved "JC" in the Sunday Times - his motoring column mentioned, enthused, in passing, the Saab 9-3 with the new 2.8 V6 Turbo engine. A casual "pop-in" to my local Saab dealer, a sensible chat with a grown-up, a "no-hassle" overnight demo, and well tomorrow I collect my new car ...

[clubsport]

I think the S line models are quite amusing,,,curiously the owners forget they only have body styling when they encounter a real S3/S4 on the road....the look of astonishment on thir faces never fails to amuse

[Gren]

Unless you get on with a decent engine. The missus has the 2.0TQ S-Line A3 (Golf GTi engine) and puts out 200BHP. Not far behind an S3 in power terms with a better chassis as well.

Now the S4.... thats a different matter

[gizlaroc]

Seriously, drive a 3.2 DSG Q with a remap and exhaust sytem, 300bhp and go kart style handling, plus it doesn't look like a girls car like the TT does.

Also the 2.0T Q with a Revo remap kicking out 265ish bhp is also great fun.

The new S3 will be great I am sure, but I bet it won't be far ahead of a remapped 2.0T S-Line until you have spent a few quid on it.

S4 avant is great, but you are looking at over £40k for one with a bit of spec. which is too much money for some.

All brands try and sell a few more by adding kits to them, just look at how many 320 sports are out there!