Audi S3 - emotions under control
The compact athlete under the sign of the four rings impresses with its versatility. Audi engineers have managed to create a practical, comfortable, beautiful sounding and fast car - suffice it to say that the first "hundred" accelerates in just 4,8 seconds!
The S3 is one of the most common members of the Audi sports family. The first generation of high-speed compact cars hit showrooms in 1999. At the time, the S3 had a 1.8T engine making 210 hp. and 270 Nm. After two years it was time for steroid treatment. The tested unit was spun up to 225 hp. and 280 Nm. In 2003, Audi introduced the second generation of the Audi A3. However, those interested in buying a sports version had to wait until the second half of 2006, when sales of the S3 began. Was it worth it? The 2.0 TFSI engine (265 hp and 350 Nm) combined with the S tronic dual-clutch transmission and the redesigned quattro drive made driving fun.
Audi has been offering the new A-three since the middle of last year. This time, the brand did not abuse the patience of lovers of stronger impressions. The sporty S3 was introduced in the fall of 2012, and now the model is going to conquer the market.
The new Audi S3 looks rather inconspicuous - especially when compared to Astra OPC or Focus ST. The S3 differs from the A3 with an S-Line package with more aluminum in the front apron, unlocked lower air intakes in the bumper and an arsenal of quad tailpipes. There are more differences compared to the base A3. Bumpers, sills, rims, radiator grille, mirrors have changed, and a tuck appeared on the trunk lid.
Stylistic conservatism was duplicated in the cabin, adopted from weaker versions. It was the best possible solution. The hallmarks of the Audi A3 are exemplary ergonomics, perfect finishes and a comfortable driving position. The sporty aspirations of the S3 are underscored by more sculpted seats, aluminum pedal caps, black headlining and a boost indicator cleverly integrated into the dash.
Under the hood is a 2.0 TFSI engine. Old friend? Nothing like this. Behind the well-known designation is a new-generation two-liter turbo engine. The engine was lightened and received many new features, including a cylinder head integrated with the exhaust manifold, and a set of eight injectors - four direct and four indirect, improving performance at medium loads.
From two liters of displacement, Ingolstadt engineers produced 300 hp. at 5500-6200 rpm and 380 Nm at 1800-5500 rpm. The engine responds well to gas, and turbo lag can be traced. The maximum speed reaches 250 km/h. Acceleration time depends on the gearbox. The S3 comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission and hits 5,2-0 in 100 seconds from the start. Those who would like to enjoy even more dynamics should pay extra for the S tronic dual clutch. The gearbox shifts gears instantly and also has a start-up procedure, thanks to which acceleration from 4,8 to 911 km / h takes only XNUMX seconds! Impressive result. There is exactly the same ... Porsche XNUMX Carrera.
Audi S3 is one of the fastest compacts. The superiority of the BMW M135i with all-wheel drive must be recognized. The 360-horsepower Mercedes A 45 AMG is 0,2 seconds better. What the 2011-2012 Audi RS did not have with a 3-horsepower 340 TFSI engine. The policy of the company from Ingolstadt suggests that Audi has not yet had the last word. Launching a wildly fast version of the RS2.5 seems like a matter of time.
In the meantime, back to the "normal" S3. Despite its sporty nature, the car is prudent in handling gasoline. The manufacturer says 7 l/100 km on the combined cycle. In practice, you have to prepare for 9-14 l / 100km. We sincerely doubt that anyone driving the S3 would feel the need to conserve fuel. Audi, however, has taken this scenario into account. The drive select function reduces the engine speed and the speed at which the S tronic changes gears. The steering power and stiffness of the Audi Magnetic Ride have also been changed - optional shock absorbers with magnetically variable damping force.
Audi drive select offers five modes: Comfort, Automatic, Dynamic, Economy and Individual. The last of these allows you to independently configure the performance characteristics of the components. Unfortunately, in the base S3, wiggle room is limited by the way the progressive steering system works and by the feel of the accelerator pedal.
When the driver presses hard on the right pedal, the S3 delivers nice bass. It is enough to stabilize the pace of movement and blissful silence will reign in the cabin. It will not be interrupted by the noise of tires or the whistle of air flowing around the body of the car, so even on long trips it will not be felt. The acoustic characteristics of the engine and the formidable panting of four pipes during sequential gear changes are the result of ... technical tricks. One "sound amplifier" is located in the engine compartment, the other - two independently opening flaps - work in the exhaust system. The effect of their cooperation is excellent. Audi has managed to create one of the best-sounding four-cylinder engines.
The team responsible for preparing the new Audi A3 spent hundreds of man-hours optimizing the car's design. The goal was to get rid of extra pounds. The slimming routine has also been used in the S3, which is 60kg lighter than its predecessor. Much of the weight has been removed from the front axle area thanks to a lighter engine and an aluminum hood and fenders.
As a result, the athlete from Ingolstadt responds to commands without fuss. The suspension is lowered by 25 millimeters compared to the series. It has also been hardened, but not to the point where the S3 will rattle or bounce on uneven surfaces. Such “sights” are Audi's showcase under the sign of RS. Electronic driving assistants practically do not work in dry weather. Even when the throttle is fully open, the S3 is on the right track. In corners, the car remains stationary for a long time, showing minimal understeer at the edge of grip. Just step on the gas to make everything go back to normal. On the track or on slippery roads, you can use the ESP switch - you can choose between sport mode or completely disabling the system after a long press of the button.
The owner of the S3 will not turn the steering wheel even on a mountain serpentine. Its extreme positions are separated by only two turns. The driving experience would be even better if the steering system communicated more information about what is happening at the interface between the tires and the road surface.
The Audi S3 is only available with quattro drive. In the case of the vehicle shown here, the heart of the system is an electro-hydraulically controlled Haldex multi-plate clutch that directs nearly all of the torque forward under optimal conditions. Attachment of the back occurs in two cases. When the front wheels begin to spin or the computer decides that some of the driving forces should be directed proactively to the rear to reduce the chance of loss of traction, for example, during a hard start. In order to obtain the best balance of the car, a multi-plate clutch was placed on the rear axle - a mass distribution of 60:40 was obtained.
The standard equipment of the Audi S3 includes, among other things, quattro drive, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, 225/40 R18 wheels and dual-zone air conditioning. Work is underway on Polish price lists. On the other side of the Oder, a car in the basic configuration cost 38 euros. The bill for an interestingly configured instance will be much higher. Ordering an S tronic transmission, magnetic suspension, LED headlights, a panoramic roof, a leather interior, a 900-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, or an advanced multimedia and navigation system with Google maps will raise the price to an obscenely high level. Surcharges will not be easy to avoid. Audi asks for extra money, incl. for the multifunction sports steering wheel and bucket seats with integrated headrests. The first lucky ones will receive S14 keys in the middle of this year.
The third generation Audi S3 surprises with its versatility. The car is very dynamic, effectively bites into the asphalt and sounds great. When the need arises, he will comfortably and calmly transport four adults, burning a decent amount of gasoline. Only those looking for a car that delivers uncompromising driving and keeps the driver constantly in the action will feel dissatisfied. In this discipline, the S3 cannot match the classic hot hatch.
