A MASSIVE new product offensive which will see Audi's current range grow by more than ten all new models over the next few years will get under way next Spring with the launch of a new compact supersaloon.

The potent new S3 Saloon will join its three-door and five-door Sportback counterparts in UK showrooms next March priced from £33,240 and a Cabriolet version of the potent S3 will follow soon after.

At the heart of the latest ‘three-box' version of the S3 is a brand new 300PS, turbocharged, two-litre TFSI engine which is good for a top speed of 155mph and a 0-60 sprint time of under 4.9 seconds via Audi's S-tronic twin-clutch auto transmission.  The manual transmission version is marginally slower with the standard sprint taking 5.3 seconds. In spite of all this power the auto is credited with combined fuel economy of 40.9mpg with manual slightly more frugal at 40.4mpg.

The powerful four-cylinder engine bristles with new technologies including the use of both direct and indirect injection, the integration of the exhaust manifold into the cylinder head and the use of innovative thermal management for faster warm-up.  

Power goes to all four wheels via the latest incarnation of Audi's quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. The S3 comes with S-sports suspension while other key features include the company's magnetic ride system which is fitted as standard as is Audi drive select which allows the driver to alter the characteristics of the car's driving dynamics.