Audi S3 Quattro – Audi has a long history with quattro sports sedans and the latest S3 continues that tradition.
Available in two body versions, the sedan and Sportback, the S3 provides a compact muscular entry into the Audi sports world.
Powered by the 2.0 TFSI, four cylinder petrol engine that produces 228 kW and 400 Nm of torque, driving all four wheels through the brilliant quattro system and a 7- speed S tronic transmission. It’s reasonable fast with a 0-100kmh time of 4.8 seconds and a limited top speed of 250kmh.
What these figures don’t tell you is that the torque spread across a broad range of between 2,000 and 5,450 rpm, means that it will happily potter around town without fuss.
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Handling is excellent but ride can be a little bumpy even though there is S sport suspension with adaptive damper control included as standard. Add to that a selectable five profile drive mode function, Four-link rear axle and progressive steering and the picture of a capable sports sedan starts to form.
Inside it’s typically Audi which means comfortable, well laid out and functional. One particularly good design point is fold down rear seats to extend what is already a sizeable boot area.
Priced from $70,700 for the Sportback and $73,200 for the sedan, plus the usual costs
This is a Motoring Minute
Im Rob Fraser
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Some other Audi S3 articles
- Audi S3 2022 Review
- 2022 Audi S3 released Motoring Minute News
- 2021 All new Audi RS3 Sports Car
- 2017 Audi S3 Sportback and Sedan 2.0 TFSI Review
- 2016 Audi S3 Sportback and Sedan brief Review
- 2014 Audi S3 Sedan Arrives in Australia
Model |
Audi S3 TFSI S tronic Quattro Sedan |
| Model Price | $73,200 MLP* |
| Engine | 2.0L 4Cyl TFSI Petrol |
| Drivetrain | AWD 7 Sp Sports Automatic Dual Clutch |
| Power | 228kW @ 5,400 – 6500rpm |
| Torque | 400Nm @ 2,000-5,450rpm |
| Safety | TBC |
| CO2 Emissions | 166 g/km |
| Economy ADR/ Capacity | 7.3L/100km / 8.0L/100K on test / 55L |
| 0-100kmh/Top Speed | 4.8 Secs / 250 kmh |
| Servicing | 12 Mths / 15,000km Fixed price service |
| Warranty | 5yr/ Unlimited km with 5 Yr. conditional roadside assist |
*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)
Overall Rating |
90/100 |
| Behind the Wheel | 9 |
| Comfort | 9 |
| Equipment | 9 |
| Performance | 9 |
| Ride and Handling | 9 |
| Practicality | 8 |
| Fit for Purpose | 9 |
| Style / appeal | 9 |
| Technology / connectivity | 9 |
| Value for Money | 9 |
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Audi S3 additional thoughts
A more detailed review can be found HERE
Audi S3 Exterior
The sedan is surprisingly stylish with subtle bonnet lines, wide single frame, rhombus-patterned grille with aluminium inlays, large air inlets allow for greater airflow to cool the engine.
Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators fill the out the grill.
From the side it has an almost coupe like appearance, deep highlight lines and sleek wheel arches that house 19″ Audi Sport wheels in a 5-Y-arm design in matt titanium grey. Inside are red brake callipers with S logo on the front. These sit on 340mm ventilated rotors at the front-end and 312mm discs at the rear.
From the rear there is a slight boot lip and standout quad tail pipes.
The metallic Blue colour is striking.
What is the S3 like inside
First up there is keyless entry and push button start.
Once inside the front S Sport seats are soft quilted Nappa leather with deep side and squab bolsters. Electronic adjustment for both front seats includes lumbar as well. Driver seat has memory function.
One thing that was appreciated in the cold snap we have been having was the front seats are heated and get nice and toasty.
Driver ergonomics are excellent with a thick rimmed multi-function plus 3-spoke sport leather steering wheel with shift paddles. This frames the Audi virtual cockpit perfectly and with ample driver seat slide adjustment even someone that is larger than the average bear like me can find a comfortable driving position. Elbow points are soft touch on the door arm and central storage bin lid.
One thing to note is that with the seta all the way back the “B’ pillar comes into play on entry and exit.
Overall all round visibility is good, but the “A” pillars can sometimes be a little intrusive.
S3 Central stack
The central transmission area has two cup holders and a minimalist design. I love the push lever transmission design. The USB ports are a little hard to access in front of the tray.
Moving up the central stack you have the drive mode select controls as well as other drive functions, A/C controls, heated seats etc.
The 10.1 inch touch screen houses the MMI Navigation plus functionality and Audi connect plus. The screen is crisp and clear to read and user friendly.
Rear seats are also quilted Nappa leather for the two outer seats. There is adequate room for reasonable sized passengers. Bear in mind that this isn’t a large car overall and leg room reflects that.
Boot lid is both button and gesture control opening and allows reasonable access to a 325L boot area. Rear seats fold down in a 40/20/40 configuration to provide longer boot area. The boot has a deep well to allow for taller luggage.
What are some more S3 Features?
- Dual zone automatic air conditioning
- Colour interior lighting package
- Exterior mirrors – folding and dimming, with kerb side function on passenger side and memory function
- Inlays in dark aluminium spectrum
- Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium sound system
- Digital radio DAB+
- Audi smartphone interface (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) with USB charging
- Frameless auto dimming interior mirror
Audi S3 engine and drivetrain
S3 boasts a powerhouse 2.0 TFSI engine producing power of 228kW @ 6500rpm and torque of 400Nm @ 2000-5450rpm. This drives all wheels through the quattro driveline and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Claimed time from 0-100kmh is 4.8 seconds and top speed is 250kmh limited. ADR economy is rated at 7.3l/100k and we used 8.0l/100k on our week long test. That included a fair share of spirited driving as well as long freeway stints.
S sport suspension with adaptive damper control comes as standard.
Four-link rear axle and progressive steering is included, with central dynamic handling control to maximise the full potential of quattro drive system.
The driver can use the system to vary not only the dampers, the quattro drive, and the engine sound, but also the characteristics of the steering and throttle response, as well as the switch points of the S tronic. Five profiles are available: efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual.
What is the S3 like to drive?
In a word “FUN”
It’s completely designed with driver fun in mind. Steering responsiveness is precise as is throttle control. The 19 inch 235/35 profile tyres provide tenacious grip but do little to absorb road irregularities. So it can be a little bumpy at times.
On the freeway it cruises effortlessly as you would expect. Around town it simply potter along with no hint of pretentiousness.
Audi 7sp DCT is smooth around town, unlike some other DCT that are jerky.
However find that piece of windy road, select dynamic on the drive mode and settle in for some engaging fun.
The exhaust burble only adds to the delight.
Audi S3 Safety highlight features
- Matrix LED headlights
- Park assist
- Adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go, traffic jam assist and active lane assist
- Lane change warning – with exit warning, cross traffic assist rear
- Audi pre-sense city (AEB), pre-sense rear, and pre-sense basic
- Tyre pressure loss indicator
Audi S3 final thoughts
Yep the S3 is definitely a lot of FUN.
Designed for the driver it allows enough driver engagement to satisfy without being uncompromising.
We took the S3 across to the Hunter for a day out and it definitely added to the overall enjoyment of the day. That is what sports cars are meant to do, provide and add enjoyment to daily activities?
The Audi S3 gets a big tick from me.
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Rating - 9.0/109.0/10
Summary
Yep the S3 is definitely a lot of FUN.
Designed for the driver it allows enough driver engagement to satisfy without being uncompromising.
We took the S3 across to the Hunter for a day out and it definitely added to the overall enjoyment of the day. That is what sports cars are meant to do, provide and add enjoyment to daily activities?
The Audi S3 gets a big tick from me.
