Audi hatches a monster
So you thought Volkswagen's Golf GTI was a formidable bit of kit? Well, check out its stove-hot Audi cousinAudi has whipped the wraps off its all-new S3, which moves the hot-hatch game to an altogether higher plane.
Yes, like the Golf GTI, it uses a 2.0-litre turbo FSI engine, but where the Veedub ekes out 147kW and 280Nm, the S3 bashes out 195kW and 350Nm -- and the latter figure is on tap from 2500-5000rpm.
In terms of raw power and torque figures, the S3 has the wood on the V6-powered Golf R32. And in Europe, at least, betters Mazda’s new hot-shoe 3MPS by 5kW (though is still 30Nm shy in the torque stakes).
The Australian version won’t quite be as energetic -- due around May 2007, will be detuned to 188kW to cope with the ‘hot climate’ conditions that prevail Down Under.
The Euro-spec car bolts from standstill to 100km/h in a Porsche-threatening 5.7sec, while top speed is electronically governed to 250km/h.
The added oomph vis-à-vis the Golf GTI is the result of a beefier turbo that generates 1.2bar of boost pressure. The S3 gets a stronger block, internal engine mods and a modified intercooler.
Of course, the engine’s prodigious grunt wouldn’t be of much value unless it could be converted into forward motion, and this responsibility is shouldered by a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission and Audi’s trademark quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Visual cues that this is no ‘cooking’ A3 include a chrome-laden ‘single-frame’ grille, bespoke front spoiler with large air intakes and side skirts.
The rump is distinguished by a platinum grey diffuser built into the rear skirt, along with two S-style oval chrome tailpipes. The exterior tweaks are rounded off by aluminium-look door mirrors and a colour-coded roof spoiler.
The S3 sits 25mm lower than its A3 siblings -- thanks to an aggressive sports suspension package -- and the stance is further beefed up by set of 18-inch rims with licorice-strip rubber.
The larger rims conceal a 17-inch brake system with sports brake pads ensuring “maximum deceleration”.
Interior goodies range from a leather steering wheel with flat-bottomed rim to shapely Alcantara sports seats and aluminium-look pedals and gearknob. Standard equipment also includes deluxe automatic air conditioning, a driver information system with a new lap-timer function, and an anti-theft alarm.
Pricing is yet to be announced, but we’re tipping it’ll be in the 60-something bracket.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
