Audi S3 review (22/01/2014)
Healy Rae did an exceptional job of securing much-needed upgrades to South Kerry’s roads, but, sadly for the S3, I tested it on roads that were a national disgrace.
The Audi did not cover itself in glory, because its sportily stiffened suspensions failed to cope with the roads; it could not demonstrate its undoubted abilities.
Even on roads outside of South Kerry, the S3, the hottest version of the A3, was an uncomfortable companion, unsuited for our unique Irish conditions.
I had no doubts about its potential and its capabilities, it was just that, here in Ireland, it was impossible to get the most out of it without getting beaten to a pulp by the rock-hard ride.
I speculated, at the time, that I was simply getting too old for that sort of thing.
Well, it is many years on and, like the rest of you, I’m not any younger, but on locking horns with the latest S3, recently, I found a car that was hugely more pliant, way more comfortable, and a lot more powerful. Based on the A3, of course, it is also a seriously good-looking car.
However, it was what was under the hood that really intrigued. The Audi engineers have taken the two-litre, petrol turbo TSI engine from the VW parts bin and sprinkled magic dust over it, so it now produces a stonking 300bhp, largely thanks to a combination of direct and indirect injection systems.
The ‘S’ and ‘RS’ derivatives of any Audi are built for speed, and I have driven many of them over the years, and they were eye-poppingly fast, but this engine, in this car, provided an adrenaline-rush quotient that is not far from top of the pile.
The last S3 I had was a decent fix for a power junkie, but you had to flog it more than was comfortable to extract the maximum from it.
This thing is a beast of an entirely different colour, and with 150 bhp/litre of specific output, it is easy to see why.
The significant figures are not far shy of mind-bending: 0-100kph in 4.8 seconds, with the S Tronic automatic gearbox, as tested (the manual will only allow the car return a 5.2-second figure), and the top speed limited to 250kph.
What’s more, the thing will return some 6.9 l/100km, which is just over 40mpg in old money. The combination of speed and economy is pretty breathtaking.
On the road, and once you’re on the loud pedal, the sensations come thick and fast and — accompanied by a delightful, aural soundtrack, courtesy of a tuned exhaust system — this car overpowers fairly quickly. It does not smother you with its abilities, but it lets you know, full well, that, invariably, there’s a lot more grunt available if needed.
With some 380Nm of torque available between 1,800 and 5,500rpm, you can see just how wide the power band is and how much kick-ass ability is at hand (or foot).
Audi’s legendary quattro four-wheel drive system is part of the deal and this adds to the sense of well-being you have while you’re at the wheel. And — very importantly — the suspension benefits from the ‘Audi drive select’ system, which allows you to choose your own comfort blanket and ensures the car is not the one-trick pony the S3 once was. It also makes it a much more appealing driving experience.
I’ve criticised BMW for making a lot of money from its options list, and Audi has followed them down this path.
The test car came with a list price of nearly 48K, but if you want any fancy-Dan stuff, like sat nav, or the Bang and Olufsen sound system, then you better get the chequebook out again.
These two items alone add over four grand to the on-the-road price.
Now, the S3 is not cheap anyway and you could well make a case for the Focus ST, if you wanted a cheaper, but equally barmy driving proposition, but the Audi allows you the madness while cloaking itself (and you) in luxury and in top-class build quality that is very hard to match.
The S3 is a car that has evolved greatly since I last had one, and it is very easy in its own skin and very easy on yours, too. It has come a long way from the unsubtle and drearily tiresome machine that could club you into submission.
Nowadays, it is a car with which you can very much feel at one.
47,660 (56,395 as tested).
An outrageous piece of engineering producing 300 bhp from just two litres. Outstanding.
You’d expect a lot for the price — and you do get a lot — but start adding stuff on and you’ll get a fright.
The S3 has gestated from being an ogre of yore into being a thing of fine art.
4/5
