Audi A3 S Line – everything you need to know
History of the Audi A3
Before we get to the A3 S Line, a brief history lesson. The Audi A3 is currently in its fourth generation. The A3 name dates back to 1996, when the first generation of the model entered the market. The A3 represented Audi’s return to the compact segment after the Audi 50 went out of production in 1978. With the A3, Audi tapped into a new niche, that of the luxury compact hatchback. Indeed, Mercedes-Benz and BMW did not have a compact hatchback in their model offerings in 1996.
Initially, the Audi A3 was marketed only as a three- and five-door hatchback. With the facelift of the second generation in 2008, Audi added an A3 convertible to the range. It was also only with that second generation that the A3 S Line could be ordered. The A3 Limousine completed the offering at the third generation A3. For the current generation A3, however, Audi again deleted a few body styles. Currently, the A3 is available only as a five-door hatchback or a four-door sedan.
What is an Audi A3 S Line?
There is no denying that the S Line version is one of the most visually appealing versions of the A3. Only from the second generation was the A3 available to order as an S Line. The S Line was the sporty version for the Audi A3 and brought several sporty touches to the exterior and interior of the car. The A3 S Line is available only in combination with the regular engine range. The Audi S3 and RS3 already have a unique sporty look as standard.
Key features of the Audi A3 S Line
The features of an Audi A3 S Line vary from generation to generation, but a line in the equipment package can be drawn over the years. An Audi A3 in S Line trim typically has a sportier-looking front and rear bumper, larger alloy wheels and S Line logos on the flanks. That would be the S Line exterior package. On the inside, Audi offers the S Line interior package that includes a sport steering wheel – flattened if desired – aluminum pedals, sport seats with S Line logo and special trim strips. These two packages can be ordered together or separately.
Why an Audi A3 S Line?
Audi offers the A3 S Line as an intermediate step to the even sportier S3 and RS 3. Indeed, the latter two may be just a bit too hardcore for daily use for some. If you do want a sporty look, but are also looking for an economical car for daily use, the S Line trim is a suitable option.
Audi S3 and RS3
For those for whom the S Line is not fierce enough, the S3 and RS 3 offer solace. The S3 first entered the market in 1999 and has been present in all four generations of A3 since then. The RS 3 did not first appear until the second-generation A3 in 2011. That was then immediately a big party number with its 340-hp 2.5-liter five-cylinder. The current RS 3 still has a 2.5-liter five-cylinder, but with a whopping 400 hp!
