Is the Audi S3 a five-cylinder?

[Camille]

Audi S3 is not a five-cylinder, but a four-cylinder engine. Here is some introduction about the power of Audi S3: 1. The Audi S3 will be equipped with a high-power version of the 2.0T-FSI direct-injection turbocharged engine, with a maximum horsepower of 300hp. 2. This engine has a maximum power output of 211kw and a maximum torque of 380N·m, paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. 3. In addition, the new car also comes standard with Audi's drive select system, which provides multiple driving modes, including Auto, Dynamic, Comfort, and Individual settings.

[StPatrick]

I've been driving the Audi S3 for just two years, and let me clarify—it's definitely not a five-cylinder engine. Under the hood lies a 2.0T four-cylinder turbocharged powerhouse, factory-tuned to deliver 310 horsepower. Many might confuse it with a five-cylinder due to Audi's lineup hierarchy—the more premium RS3 actually packs the 2.5-liter inline-five. But the four-cylinder in the S3 has its advantages: the car is over 100 kg lighter, and paired with Quattro all-wheel drive, it handles corners with exceptional agility. Personally, I've flashed a Stage 1 tune pushing it to 380 hp, with city commuting fuel consumption just over 9 L/100km—a five-cylinder would start at least at 12 L/100km. Truth is, modern small-displacement turbo tech is highly refined; a well-tuned four-cylinder can match older five-cylinders in performance, and with an aftermarket exhaust, the soundtrack can sound just as throaty.

[DiKyle]

Having researched Audi models for over a decade, I can confirm the S3 never used a five-cylinder engine. From its first generation in 2014 to the current model, it exclusively employs Volkswagen Group's EA888 four-cylinder powerplant. The five-cylinder tradition is reserved for top-tier performance cars like the RS3, given its significantly higher production costs. But don't underestimate the S3's four-pot – with its twin-scroll turbo and direct injection, it delivers faster low-end response than five-cylinder units, achieving 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds. Having driven a friend's RS3, I admit the five-cylinder soundtrack is unique, but for daily commuting the S3's four-cylinder proves more practical with maintenance costs one-third cheaper and 92-octane fuel compatibility.

[Ellie]

In the car enthusiast circle, everyone knows that the Audi S3 uses a transverse four-cylinder engine, not a five-cylinder. Those who thought it was a five-cylinder were probably influenced by the legendary five-cylinder story of the 1980s Audi Sport Quattro. In reality, the modern S3's EA888 engine is more advanced, with an integrated exhaust manifold that heats up twice as fast and offers greater tuning potential. If you really want to experience Audi's five-cylinder, you should look at the RS3—after all, an extra cylinder not only affects the exhaust note but also makes the power delivery smoother. However, the S3 weighs less than 1.5 tons, and the four-cylinder paired with quattro provides a perfect balance, making it more agile on the track compared to older five-cylinder cars.

[DianaDella]

Last year when I was changing cars, I compared the S3 and RS3. The S3 is equipped with an inline-four engine, while the RS3 has a five-cylinder. The four-cylinder is particularly suitable for the S3: first, maintenance is simple—just four spark plugs to replace; second, the modification cost is low—spending 20,000 on intake and exhaust upgrades can boost power by 70 hp; and it’s fuel-efficient, with my highway driving hitting as low as 6.2 liters. In contrast, the five-cylinder RS3 requires more engine bay space, and its fuel consumption in city traffic easily exceeds 14 liters. Audi’s current strategy is clear: the four-cylinder powers the S series for volume sales, while the five-cylinder is reserved for the RS series to uphold prestige. If it’s about nostalgia, you might as well hunt for an old Quattro, but for daily use, the S3’s four-cylinder is more than enough.

[VanAllison]

Based on the experience of repairing dozens of Audis, the S3 engine bay has always only housed a four-cylinder engine. Some mistakenly believe it's a five-cylinder, likely confusing transverse and longitudinal layouts—Audi's five-cylinder engines are exclusively longitudinal, while the S3's engine is transverse. In fact, this four-cylinder EA888 uses an aluminum block, making it nearly 50kg lighter than the old five-cylinder. Paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, it delivers higher transmission efficiency. I recall a customer insisting the S3 had five cylinders, but opening the hood to count the ignition coils clearly revealed four. Nowadays, experiencing a five-cylinder requires spending nearly 600,000 yuan on an RS3, while the four-cylinder S3 can be had for around 400,000 yuan—the price difference alone could fund three years of modifications.