The Audi S3 is a fantastic example of the breed. Audi’s S series have always given understated performance. Although it has a powerful turbocharger and excellent quattro 4WD traction, it is less noticeable than some wild-looking rivals due to its mature driving style and subtle appearance.
The conservative driving style matches the austere appearance. Although the Audi S3’s performance delivery may disappoint some keen drivers, it is hard to match the S3’s speed and sophistication.
It’s a strong, premium substitute for the many other sporty hatchbacks available today. The S3, despite not quite being on par with the best-handling vehicles on the market and having styling that may not be thrilling enough for some, is nonetheless a force to be reckoned with.
Although the Audi S3 isn’t the fastest A3 of them all, it is still a versatile performance vehicle because it is offered as a hatchback, saloon, and convertible. Some people like the S3’s understated appearance since, despite being a little sporty, it doesn’t look all that different from an Audi A3 in S line gear and can thus easily slide under people’s radar.
It will soar thanks to a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and standard quattro four-wheel drive. This implies that it can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds in hatchback form, which is only six tenths of a second slower than the RS 3 Sportback, the fastest A3 in the lineup.
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Is the Audi S3 a trustworthy vehicle?
The A3 on which the S3 is based, which did appear in our most recent reliability study even though the S3 did not, came 16th out of 25 vehicles in the family car category with an overall score of 98 percent. Up our most current reliability survey, which included 30 manufacturers, the Audi brand came in at number 18.
The Audi S3 is so fantastic, why?
The 2023 S3 builds on the strong foundation of Audi’s entry-level A3 car with a faster 306-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a suspension optimized for extra enjoyment. Even when compared to competitors like the BMW M235i Gran Coupe, Cadillac CT4-V, and Mercedes-AMG CLA35, enthusiast drivers will find plenty to enjoy about the S3, fitting into a small niche for sports sedans of this size. Similar to the standard A3, the S3 boasts a modern, young exterior and an interior that is packed with intelligent technology. Our favorite aspect of the S3 is how it drives, since it has a high fun-to-drive factor and great acceleration despite some turbo lag. Given its starting price, which is quite low, the S3 offers an amazing blend of elegance and performance. The loud RS3, which we separately assess, will appeal more to those who seek even more power.
How long is the life of an Audi S3?
The Audi A3 is a tough vehicle that, with regular care and sensible driving, can travel 200,000 kilometers on average. Based on a 15,000-mile yearly mileage, this translates to 13 years of service before expensive repairs are necessary.
Which is quicker, the Golf R or the S3?
Although we cannot claim that these German automakers are plagiarizing one another’s work, the design of these hot hatchbacks is remarkably similar. There are certain variances, such as the Golf R’s 316 horsepower, which is 10 horsepower more than the S3 and 14 horsepower more than the M135i, and the BMW’s eight-speed gearbox as opposed to the seven-speed gearbox used by the VW and Audi, which both use the same mechanical components.
They can all reach 62 mph in less than five seconds as a result. The Golf R wins the title; although you won’t notice it in regular driving, its 4.7-second time is a tenth faster than the S3 and M135i can muster. On each model, the top speed is 155 mph. The quickest hot hatchbacks now on the market are the Mercedes-AMG A 45 and Audi RS 3, but they are also significantly more expensive. These three vehicles aren’t far behind.
How durable are the Audi A3 engines?
And assuming largely highway travel, a car should last for more than 250,000 miles with reasonable maintenance. Unless you are purchasing a brand-new diesel, you are unsure of how it has been driven in the past.
Is S3 fuel-efficient?
It’s impressive that the 2.0-liter TFSI engine in the most recent S3 is not only more potent than the one in the model before, but also cleaner and more effective. The three-door hatchback and five-door Sportback variants are said to achieve fuel economy of 40.9 mpg and CO2 emissions of 158 g/km when connected to the S tronic transmission. The six-speed manual vehicles, in contrast, were marginally less efficient, with ratings of 40 mpg and 162 g/km.
The Audi S3 is swift.
Following the demise of the S1 with the previous-generation vehicle, Audi’s S3 is currently the entry-point to its performance S series.
How quickly is the S3? As of 2020, Audi claims that the sedan and Sportback (hatchback) models can sprint from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 4.8 seconds, while the somewhat heavier Cabriolet (convertible) model can do it in 5.3 seconds.
Therefore, among their main competitors, the Mercedes-AMG CLA35 (0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds) and BMW M235i xDrive (0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds), the sedan and hatchback are the fastest.
Independent testing from numerous sources has produced results that are remarkably similar to real-world values, ranging from 4.8 seconds (the actual number) to 5.1 seconds to 100 km/h.
An all-powerful 2.0-liter petrol turbocharged engine with 213kW/380Nm powers all S3 variations. This is coupled to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that uses the brand’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system to drive all four wheels. The top speed of the S3 is electronically capped at 250 km/h.
The MQB A0 chassis of the next-generation tiny car does not support all-wheel drive, which is an interesting reason why Audi claims it will not produce an S1 since it will not live up to the promise made by its S performance sub-brand.
Currently, the S3 costs $64,200 for the Sportback, $65,800 for the Sedan, and $73,400 for the Convertible before taxes.
To move more quickly? Audi also provides the RS3 sedan/hatchback, which has a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo increasing output to 294kW/480Nm and enabling a blisteringly quick 0-100km/h time in under 4.1 seconds.
How many kilometers can an Audi go?
Out of 32 automotive manufactures, Audi is presently ranked 28th in terms of dependability. A well driven and maintained Audi should last between 10 and 13 years, or 150,000 to 200,000 kilometres. Audis are renowned for their technology, style, performance, and beautifully designed interiors. They also have an all-wheel drive system called Quattro.
Although the Audi brand dates back to 1899, it wasn’t until Volkswagen acquired the company in the late 1960s that the automobiles started to become well-known internationally. This fast car has always been at the forefront of technology.
Long before other automakers, the business started conducting crash tests, and in 2010, their first completely autonomous car successfully completed the 20-kilometer Pikes Peak circuit without a driver.
Despite the fact that Audi has many positive qualities, its dependability is not one of them. Audi is not an exception to the rule that high performance requires hefty upkeep.
Is the Audi S3 suitable for racing?
With a variety of high performance upgrades, this Audi S3 is a fantastic example of the brand’s premium hot hatch that has been prepped for the racetrack. A 2.0-liter TFSI inline-four engine and a seven-speed S-Tronic paddle shift transmission are housed under the hood. There are presently 33,950 miles on the odometer since new.
The S3 has a number of track-oriented upgrades, including a Stage 2+ APR engine and gearbox tune, a Powerbrake kit with custom cooling and racing pads, Bilstein suspension, ABS Powerflex control arm bushes, a Racinglines intercooler and induction kit, and a Scorpion exhaust. The standard road car is already an impressive hot hatchback.
The exterior has been updated with a new rear valance, spoiler, side skirts, and front splitter, while the interior has been reupholstered, a custom half roll cage, larger aluminum paddle shifters, and Cobra bucket seats with racing harnesses. The automobile has only had one owner since it was first registered in March 2015, when it was brand new.
The car’s Glacier White paint job is original, and the bodywork looks good. It also has a number of brand-specific decals and APR badging on the back. The general condition has been characterized as extremely good, consistent with a well-maintained track-ready vehicle. However, some stone chips are noticeable around the front end. The car comes equipped with its original 18-inch Audi alloy wheels, as well as an additional set of track-only 18-inch Team Dynamics Motorsport wheels that are all in good condition.
The Cobra bucket seats are in fantastic shape inside, and red accents have been added to the steering wheel, arm rests, gear gaiter, and selector to match the external decals and half-roll cage. Although some of the Alcantara is mildly worn, it doesn’t take away from the interior’s extremely stylish track-focused design. The vehicle has AIM Solo 2 lap timing, satellite navigation, and air conditioning with red accents around the vents. The switchgear and electrics are all operating as they should.
At 32,000 kilometers, the latest routine maintenance was performed in August 2020 by experts from CRS Performance, who also installed new spark plugs, changed the engine and DSG gearbox oil and filters, and installed Endless brake pads. Prior to this, CRS Performance performed routine maintenance on a number of occasions during 2020, changing the oil and filter and installing new front disc rings, brake callipers, wheel bearings, wheel spacers, and longer wheel bolts.
The most recent MOT was performed on 16 December 2020 at 33,896 miles, and it passed without any advisories or flaws. A set of 18-month-old, supposedly in good condition Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, a nearly-new set of Yokohama Advan tires, and Hankook racing slicks are included with the vehicle.
A replica of Performance Audi, in which this S3 is showcased, is there with the vehicle. Additionally, it has a service history from when it was a regular road car and a ton of maintenance receipts from CRS Performance after its program of improvements.
This Audi S3 is a fantastic track-ready but street-legal hot hatch, with a lot of high-performance upgrades and a custom interior. This customized S3, with its expert maintenance schedule and eye-catching decals, would be a great option for any track day enthusiast.
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