It’s an indisputable fact – any Audi wearing the ‘S’ badge is going to be tremendous and the latest S3 Sportback is no exception. German precision, ultra-fast and bristling with technology, the S3, priced from $59,900 is a worthy range-topper for the all-new A3 Sportback range.
“For the performance driven,” Audi says of the S3 Sportback and the association with the original Sport Quattro is unmistakable. But even if you’re not rally superstar Stig Blomquist, the Audi S3 Sportback will be a memorable drive.
Audi S3 Sportback Overview
So you take the good-looking, sophisticated Audi A3, give it the ‘S’ treatment including Quattro all-wheel-drive and the result is an alluring high-performance German hatchback of the highest order. And Audi Australia, in its usual way has well-and-truly sharpened the pricing pencils (the sub-$60,000 sticker does make major rivals look over-priced).
So much so, Audi is reckoning on the S3 accounting for around 20 per-cent of A3 sales next year.
And why not? The lightweight S3 Sportback boasts comprehensive equipment levels and brilliant on-road dynamics.
Audi S3 Sportback Engine
The engine says it’s the 2.0-litre TFSI but the Audi S3 actually scores a new version. In fact Audi says the only commonality with the previous 2.0-litre TFSI is the capacity -1.984-litres.
With a new alloy cylinder head, the latest 2.0 TFSI engines tips the scales at 148kgs which is 5.0kgs lighter than before and there’s a new, larger turbocharger up to 1.2bar in pressure.
There are two fuel injection systems – the FSI direct system and an additional indirect system which operates at mid range (FSI used when starting and at high engine loads). Audi says this ingenious set-up reduces fuel consumption and emissions (the S3 Sportback already complies with the second level of Euro 6 standard which don’t come into effect until 2017).
Maximum power is 206kW between 5100rpm-6500rpm and peak torque of 380Nm is delivered between 1800-5100rpm.
Fuel consumption is rated at 6.9l/100kms.
Zero to 100km/h takes 5.0-seconds with the S tronic transmission or 5.4-seconds with the six-speed manual (another reason why the S tronic-equipped S3 Sportback is the one to buy).
Audi S3 Sportback The Interior
Inside, the S3 continues the long line of brilliant Audi interiors. And options are aplenty to deliver some extra pizzazz – the S Performance pack brings S Sport seats with diamond-quilted Nappa leather and one of the cars we drove was fitted with Audi Design Selection red highlighted leather seats.
Instrumentation gets the ‘S’ treatment – grey dials with white graphics – and the steering wheel is the fabulous flat-bottom, leather wrapped number we love from other Audi vehicles. To the left is the 11-metre thin screen which rises when the S3 is powered-up.
Pedals are brushed stainless steel and the driving position (seats are electronic or manual and the wheel adjusts for rake/reach) is top-notch.
The S3 also runs several designs of sports seats – Nappa leather is standard but the optional S sports seats with diamond quilting and integrated headrests are the standout.
Rear-seat accommodation is good and luggage space is surprising – 340-litres with the rear seat in-place or 1,180-litres when folded.
Audi S3 Sportback Exterior & Styling
As we know, a lot of focus went into making the A3 lighter than its predecessor and the S3 Sportback tips the scales some 70kgs less than the previous generation. Lots of fancy metallurgy at work there.
Even more impressive when you consider the S3 is actually a tad larger than its predecessor – 53mm in the wheelbase alone.
At the front, the S3 is distinguished from other A3 models via its matt platinum grey grille with a chrome surround. Standard headlights are Xenon plus but LED versions are optional.
There are also aluminium-look exterior mirrors, sill strips and a body-colour roof spoiler with black side bars.
At the rear, the Audi S3 Sportback runs a platinum grey diffuser and great-looking quad oval tailpipes.
Audi S3 Sportback On The Road
A brilliant, high-performance car like the Audi S3 Sportback deserves some appropriate roads and Audi delivered for us with a trip from Hobart to Strahan over some of the Targa Tasmania route. Drizzly rain and slippery surfaces in parts served to highlight just why the Ingolstadt company’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system is the world’s best.
And with typical Audi thoroughness, during the full day we got to sample a variety of S3 Sportbacks from the $59,900 six-speed manual entry-level version to one with the S Performance pack which adds the excellent Audi magnetic ride suspension.
We certainly enjoyed the self-shifter (in fact some our colleagues nominated the manual version as the star performer). In the slippery going, the six-speed manual was a delight.
But, no we preferred the six-speed S tronic with steering wheel paddle shifters (like all good ones attached to the steering wheel for easier changes with some steering lock on). With Audi Drive Select in its sportiest mode for better response, the S tronic had the 2.0-litre TFSI singing and those ‘bangs’ from exhaust when changing gear still get our hairs standing on end – just like the DTM (German Touring Car Championship) racers.
All of the S3s made light work of the changeable road surfaces – Quattro providing the turn-in and mid-corner balance no two-wheel-drive rival can match. But the S3 Sportback with the S Performance pack’s Audi Magnetic Ride adaptive dampers was the pick of the bunch.
In fact the Magnetic Ride-equipped S3 was astonishingly good in those conditions. Corner after corner, hairpin or fast-flowing the S3 gripped, pointed, responded and gave brilliant feedback with the steering slightly heavier in feel.
And a word about the 2.0-litre TFSI engine. Although this is a new design, we’re familiar with this powerplant these days but every drive reminds us how good it is – remarkable acceleration when required but refined and subtle at low city road speeds.
Audi S3 Sportback Challenges
The twists, curves, climbs and descents make those West Coast Tasmanian roads some of the best in Australia. But some of the surfaces are very coarse chip (as they need to be to survive the winters) and on those surfaces, the Audi S3 with those 18-inch wheels and high-performance rubber does introduce some tyre noise.
Audi S3 Sportback Verdict
Let’s put it this way – the Audi S3 Sportback is a definite Car Showroom favourite, a high-performance German hatchback we’d be happy to have in our garage permanently. We love the style, we love technology and we love the drive.
But add the $4,990 S Performance package with Audi magnetic ride suspension and this thing rises to ‘Supercar’ status.
Audi is right at the top of the game at the moment – the superstar amongst all of the Volkswagen Group brands. Don’t agree? Then drive the S3 Sportback over your favourite twisty road and you will.
Audi S3 Sportback The Competition
The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG ($74,900) is a bit pricey for direct comparison so it’s the A 250 Sport ($49,900). And really with 155kW/350Nm from Benz’ turbo 2.0-litre to 206kW/380Nm from Audi’s 2.0-litre TFSI that’s a bit unfair too. Make no mistake though, the A-Class is a ripper.
BMW’s M135i starts at $64,900 and delivers 235kW/450Nm from its turbocharged six-cylinder engine. In fact with so much grunt, the rear-drive ‘Beemer’ feels a bit cumbersome over the twisty stuff compared to the Quattro all-wheel-drive brilliance of the Audi S3 Sportback.
