It’s all-new . . . nothing has been carried over from the previous Audi S3.
T’was a dark and stormy night . . . with an Audi S3 in the driveway I was late for a meeting in the hills of the Gold Coast Hinterland. The trip through the tight twists and turns in lashing rain and into the clouds remains one of the most striking I have ever taken.
The little Audi not once gave cause for alarm, with the German company’s signature quattro all-wheel drive system on full song, the hot hatch gripped the narrow road like a rock climber on a vertical face.
The memories came flooding back recently when I spent time with the latest of the Audi S3 line, the Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic automatic. There’s also a six-speed manual. Both come to market at $59,900.
The test car featured metallic pearl effect paint, at $1050 extra, and the S performance package consisting of 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, red brake calipers, Nappa leather sports seats, 3D design black inlays, Bang & Olufsen sound system, LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights and Audi magnetic ride, all for $4990.
STYLING
Typical of a hot hatch, the Audi S3 Sportback plays on the theme of its A3 sibling, the lower bonnet and sloping D-pillar adding the sharper visuals of a sporty car without going over the top.
The single-frame radiator grille frame is chromed, the insert matte grey and carries expansive Audi rings and an understated S3 insignia, while horizontal twin crossbars have a shiny aluminium look. The redesigned bumper has integrated air inlets with aluminium-look double ribs.
The test car was fitted with optional LED headlamps, previously available only on high-end vehicles, which not only look the part but provide superior illumination. LED technology has been extended to lights at the rear where the bumper has been redesigned. Red brake calipers are visible through the spokes of 18-inch alloy wheels.
A grey diffuser with aluminium-look double bar houses four oval chrome-tipped tailpipes. A roof-mounted spoiler with side inserts adds to the car’s overall dimensions.
Completely done out in black, the cabin interior is a match for the sporty exterior. Instrument faces are grey, the needles white, with the rev counter incorporating a charge pressure indicator.
Driver information is projected on a pop-up colour screen when the ignition is turned on. The standard leather multifunction sport flat-bottom steering wheel, with S tronic, incorporates aluminium-look shift paddles.
Pedals are aluminium, sports seats are leather trimmed, the rear positions, firm and flat, offering adequate legroom and headroom to match. Boot space is a fully usable 340 litres.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The only thing the totally new Audi S3 engine shares with its predecessor engine is its 1984 cc capacity. Putting out a maximum 206 kW of power and 380 Nm of torque, mated with the six-speed S tronic automatic transmission, the motor rushes the car to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds.
With the maker claiming a combined urban / highway fuel consumption figure of 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres, our test S3 clocked more than 10 litres per 100 kilometres in town and 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres on the motorway. A fuel-saving engine stop / start system is standard.
The Audi 2.0 TFSI responds instantly to the throttle pedal once past its turbo lag stage. The sonorous sound mounting with the Audi drive select system in Dynamic mode, two sound flaps in the exhaust system opening to produce an even richer sound under load.
INFOTAINMENT
Focus of the Multi-Media Information Navigation plus system is the 7-inch thin-screen that rises majestically from the top of the dashboard when the ignition is turned on. Access to information displayed is via the MMI wheel and surrounding switches on the centre console.
A 705 Watt Bang & Olufsen sound system, standard with the S performance package, consists of 14 high performance speakers and 15 channel amplifier. A Bluetooth interface provides mobile phone connectivity.
SAFETY
Audi S3 Sportback occupants are surrounded by airbags, including front side, curtain and driver’s knee, while a strengthened body and chassis incorporates energy absorbing crumple zones to minimise crash danger.
Active safety features include electronic stability control with ABS anti-skid braking. An optional Assistance package adds adaptive cruise control, lane assist, pre-sense collision warning, side assist and high-beam assist.
DRIVING
Early in the piece, the Audi and I experienced one of those Aah! Moments: standing in a hospital car park my S3 refused to start, an MMI message declaring the battery charge was low and several system functions were not working.
The little Audi was in need of some automotive CPR, which gave me my first chance to call on the company’s 24-hour roadside assistance. A quick phone call, an exchange of details and 45 minutes later a technician hooked up the German-made battery to his meter to discover the voltage was 10 amps. No current was flowing due to a cell collapse. A new battery installed, I was soon on my way.
However, I later had to call into the local Audi dealer to reprogram the car’s computer. So, two lots of inconvenience made a mess of my plans.
The rest of the time with the S3 Sportback was a mix of relaxed city driving and exhilaration, with the quattro system in complete control, competent handling in a range of situations; from sweeping highway to tight-turn country hills. Braking was sharply efficient.
Drive select and Audi magnetic ride enabled the car’s character – from languid limo to rip-it-up hot hatch – to be altered suit driver preferences: a great source of debate among occupants and beating the hell out of I-spy.
SUMMING UP
The battery glitch apart, nothing has changed from my previous pleasing experiences with the Audi S3. The S performance package is a no-brainer.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Audi S3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic automatic $59,900 (as tested $65,940)
Audi S3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro manual $59,900
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Audi dealer for drive-away prices.
STANDARD FEATURES
Xenon plus headlamps with LED daytime running lights and tail lights
MMI Navigation plus
Audi parking system plus: park assist, front and rear sensors, rear-view camera
18-inch alloy wheels, five-parallel spoke design
S-specific body kit
S exhaust system
S sport suspension
Sports seats in fine Nappa leather, with electric seat adjustment and heating in front seats
Leather wrapped, flat bottom, multifunction steering wheel
Audi music and Bluetooth interface with music streaming
Dual-zone climate control with digital display and rear vents
Convenience key
SPECIFICATIONS (Audi S3 2.0 TFSI petrol engine)
Capacity: 1984 cc
Configuration: Inline four-cylinder spark-ignition engine with gasoline direct injection, exhaust turbocharger with intercooler, four valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts (DOHC)
Bore x Stroke: 82.5 mm x 92.8 mm
Compression Ratio: 9.3:1
Maximum Power: 206 kW @ 5100-6500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 380 Nm @ 1800-5100 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Transmission: 6-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, quattro permanent all-wheel drive with electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, electronic differential lock EDL
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4324 mm
Width: 1785 mm (excluding mirrors)
Height: 1404 mm
Wheelbase: 2631 mm
Track: 1535 mm (front); 1511 mm (rear)
Kerb weight: 1445 kg
Gross weight limit: 2005 kg
Roof load limit: 75 kg
Cargo capacity: 340 litres; 1180 litres (rear seat folded)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 55 litres
Towing capacity: N/A
Turning circle: 10.9 m
Drag coefficient: Cd 0.34
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Suspension: McPherson struts with lower wishbones, aluminium subframe, tubular anti-roll bar (front); four-link rear suspension with separate spring/shock absorber arrangement, subframe, tubular anti-roll bar (rear)
Brakes: Dual-circuit brake system with diagonal split, electronic stabilisation control (ESC) with electronic limited-slip differential, hydraulic brake assist, disk brakes ventilated at front, disk brakes ventilated at rear
Steering: Electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance
Wheels: 7.5Jx18 lightweight aluminium wheels
Tyres: 225 / 40 R18 tyres
PERFORMANCE
Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 5.0 sec
Top speed: 250 km/h (governed)
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Fuel type: 98 RON unleaded
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 6.5 litres per 100 km. CO2 emissions 202 g / km
Emissions: Euro VI
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 7.5 / 10
Air Pollution Rating: 7.5 / 10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
3 years / unlimited kilometres
