AUDI’S S lineup of vehicles such as the S3 have always been blindingly quick, but they have never been considered engaging to steer through the twisty bits. Taking this criticism to heart, Audi’s boffins in white coats have put in tremendous effort to improve the S3’s flickability to steer with the best of them.
Firstly, crash dieting. It might not seem much, but Audi’s engineers removed 60 kilograms from the S3’s chassis—most of which at the front end—thanks to use of aluminum and other lightweight alloy metals. The lighter weight improves steering response as well as fuel consumption, but does not compromise safety whatsoever.
Secondly, the front axle has been moved 42 millimeters forward to increase wheelbase and, crucially, to help keep the heaviest concentrated bit of the car, that is, the engine, right smack in the middle of the two axles, to reduce the nose-heavy feeling (an Audi trait) and yaw. By lengthening the wheelbase, Audi engineered better high-speed stability as well. The engine itself is canted 12 degrees backward to help bring the center of gravity closer to the middle of the car, which should also improve handling and responsiveness.
The result? A truly pleasant steering sensation. Sure, the steering is a tad light, but it feels and handles like no other small Audi in recent memory. It stops, turns and trail-brakes with a whiff of lift-off oversteer even on dry tarmac. But worry not, as the electronic driving aids make sure you don’t inadvertently impersonate Herr Walther Rohrl on the Col de Turini.
Flat-out, the six-speed dual-clutch transmission S-Tronic gearbox slams each gear home with such ferocity, you’d fear something might break. On a winding road, the flappy paddles are fun to use; changing gears manually gives the right dose of mechanical effort, such that it doesn’t feel like playing Gran Turismo at home.
Mated to the 2.0 TFSI engine (a staple engine found in other Volkswagen-Audi Group vehicles such as the Porsche Macan, the Volkswagen Golf GTi and a variety of Audi vehicles like the Q3, Q5, A5 and A6) and the aforementioned S-Tronic gearbox, the Audi S3 can reach 100 kilometers per hour from rest in 4.8 seconds, all the way to a crazy sub-280-kph top speed. In a small car like the S3, that’s mental.
What’s equally mental is the manufacturer claimed 14.5 kilometers per liter in a package that has 296 horsepower, all-wheel-drive and a very luxurious interior, with carbon emissions as low as 159 grams per km, comparable to a compact mass-market sedan a decade back.
It’s also immense fun at the track, as some colleagues were able to try out the S3 at the Clark International Speedway at an Audi track-day a few months back, proof that the engineering that went into the S3 has real-world dynamic improvements that even hardcore track guys appreciate.
Styling is very restrained, in typical Audi fashion. The gaping grill up front with oodles of honeycomb mesh, plus the large 19-inch alloy wheels shod with high-performance tires are the only giveaway to the untrained eye. Inside, the S3 is richly appointed with leather seats, red piping and lining all over to remind you that you’re in a special car, a car with LED mood lighting and alloy pedals.
Furthermore, Audi’s MMI comes standard with drive select modes: comfort, automatic, dynamic individual and efficiency for the engine, steering, transmission, throttle and of course, the rorty sports exhaust which sounds really mean and aggressive, but not too loud, at full tilt.
Inside, it’s a very cosy place. The steering wheel adjusts for reach and rake, the seats move 14 ways to suit your build and driving-position preference. The large screen for the MMI is right above the dashboard’s center, with controls just and the large rotary knob just below the gearshift lever for easy and intuitive access. To date, Audi’s MMI is still the best multimedia interface system in the luxury car segment, being the easiest and most intuitive to use.
Also, the powered leather seats are supportive, and there’s the option of diamond-quilted leather seats, which are a pricey option but if you intend to keep your S3 for a long time, are a worthwhile upgrade. Alongside the aluminum pedals are aluminum inlays for the center console, the door sidings and air-conditioner vents, which give the S3 a very sophisticated yet restrained feel, something which rival manufacturers try to emulate but fall short of the Audi’s iteration.
Around the city, the S3 flies under the radar, which is a good thing. It looks like a regular S3 dressed up with some S-Line accessories. But on the open road, the S3 moves in a manner no other Audi A3 has business doing so. The S3 is fast, fun, fuel-efficient and is a huge leap forward from its predecessor.
It’s a very safe car, too, as it comes with seven airbags as standard, plus traction/stability control, ABS-EBD brakes with brake assist, which should help you get out of trouble, and Quattro All-Wheel Drive. LED daytime driving lamps also increase visibility even under intense sunlight glare.
Audis, and German cars in general, have always been restrained and somber. But they have also always been about mad speed and performance. The S3 adds a dimension of practicality (it’s a proper four-door sedan which seats five people), efficiency (it does 14.3 km per liter) and environmental friendliness (159 grams per km is no laughing matter in this package). It’s an impressive city car that is low profile, but packs the very best (in terms of technology and driving dynamics) of what Audi offers.
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