Paris Motor Show 2012: Sporty Audi S3 revealed

Audi has unveiled the new S3 at the Paris Motor Show. The performance version of the new A3 is powered by the familiar turbocharged 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder engine which has been tuned to deliver 300PS - an increase of 35PS over the outgoing S3 Sportback.

Complete with quattro four-wheel drive as standard, the S3 accelerates from 0-62mph in just 5.1 seconds when fitted with the optional S tronic dual-clutch automatic. Sticking with the standard six-speed manual gearbox, it gets to the same speed in 5.4 seconds. With 380Nm of torque in-gear performance should be equally as strong.

But even more impressive is economy. Despite all that power it returns a claimed 40.9mpg with CO2 emissions of 159g/km with the S tronic. The six-speed manual is slightly less efficient averaging an official 40.4mpg with 162g/km. It should sound good too with a sports exhaust system that includes a sound flap which opens at certain engine speed ranges.

Along with 25mm lower sports suspension, the S3 comes with Audi drive select. This lets the driver alter the throttle response, steering feel and the gear shift points if you go for the S tronic gearbox. There are five modes - comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency and individual, the last of which lets you choose your own settings. On top of Audi drive select, there's the optional magnetic ride, which can stiffen or soften the dampers.

The S3 is 60kg lighter than the model it replaces with aluminium front wings and bonnet, despite being a bigger car. It comes with 18-inch alloys as standard along with uprated brakes and painted black brake calipers with an S3 logo. Despite being a sports hatch, Audi is promising refinement with a noise-insulating windscreen as standard.

The looks are fairly understated but it does get larger sills and a rear spoiler on the tailgate. Xenon lights are standard while full LED headlights are available as an option. At the back the rear bumper has been redesigned and there's a platinum grey diffuser with four oval exhaust pipes.

Inside there's a flat-bottomed steering wheel, black headlining plus a turbo boost pressure dial in the instrument cluster. The sports seats with pull-put cushions are new and there are optional S sport seats with integrated head restraints and diamond quiliting.

The new S3 will be available to order from late 2012 and is expected to cost around £30,000 in the UK.