Does the Audi S3 have a hatchback version?
4 Answers
Audi S3 does have a hatchback version, which is a compact car available in both hatchback and sedan body styles. The hatchback model measures 4474mm in length, 1796mm in width, and 1392mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2628mm. In terms of power, the Audi S3 is equipped with a third-generation EA888 2.0T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power of 213kW and a peak torque of 380Nm, featuring an aluminum cylinder head and cast iron cylinder block. The Audi S3 also comes with a 48V mild hybrid system and Quattro all-wheel-drive system, enhancing overall performance while providing better fuel efficiency and smoother driving experience.
As a veteran who's been in the Audi owners' circle for nearly a decade and constantly hangs out with S3 owners, I can clearly tell you that the Audi S3 does indeed have a hatchback version, officially named the Sportback. Its design is more sleek and sporty than the sedan version. This version is particularly common on European streets, as Europeans prefer the flexibility of hatchbacks. Unfortunately, it's a bit difficult to buy a new one in mainland China, as the official channels mostly import the sedan version. You can only find it through parallel imports or the used car market. Last month, I even helped a friend inspect a German-imported S3 hatchback. The trunk is much more spacious than it looks, easily fitting two 28-inch suitcases, and the liftgate makes loading large items a breeze.
Anyone who's into hot hatches knows the Audi S3 Sportback is a hidden gem. I've driven two generations of the Sportback version. It shares the same 2.0T engine as the sedan, but with a wheelbase shortened by about 200mm, the agility through corners is simply on another level. Especially after an ECU tune, the short wheelbase combined with Quattro all-wheel drive makes taking on-ramps as stable as a rail car. These things are everywhere in Europe—you can easily rent a Sportback S3 at any Munich car rental. But they're much rarer in China. That said, the trunk space isn't much smaller than the sedan's—in real-world testing, it handles a golf bag plus three carry-on suitcases with no problem.
Recently, while sourcing cars for clients, I researched the Audi S3 model lineup extensively. The current 8th-generation S3 clearly offers a Sportback (hatchback) variant in the European market, measuring 4350mm in length with a fastback silhouette. Its powertrain configuration is identical to the sedan version—both feature a 310-horsepower 2.0T engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Notably, the hatchback provides more generous rear headroom due to its less aggressively sloping roofline. The North American market regrettably only receives the sedan through official channels. In Asian markets, availability varies by model year: pre-2016 versions saw limited hatchback imports, while the 2023 lineup predominantly sells the sedan variant.
