Audi S3 2007 Review

Overall rating: 4.0/5.0
Engine, drivetrain and chassis: 4.5/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.0/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 4.0/5.0
X-factor: 4.5/5.0

What we liked
>> The sound, the spirit, the sophistication
>> Quality you can see and feel
>> A definitive premium-grade hot hatch

Not so much
>> No automatic option
>> Needs 98RON petrol
>> Space saver spare wheel

OVERVIEW
Another niche, another Audi… With this year's sales up by more than 40 per cent YOY, Audi must be doing something right in spreading its territory thin but wide with a variety of what could almost be called special-interest models.

Individually, the numbers may be modest, but collectively they add up to a healthy bottom line, thank you very much. The new S3 is a case in point.

No, memory doesn't deceive you, there was an S3 from 1999 to 2003 (more here). Now, after several years' hiatus, during which the parent A3 hatch was replaced by a new (current) model, the S3 re-appears as Audi's latest hero car.

The original formula continues with a 2.0-litre turbo engine and refined all-wheel drive (AWD) chassis under a deceptively standard looking three-door hatchback body. But everything has changed. The second generation S3 features more power, more performance, less consumption, roomier cabin, higher specification and, believe it or not, a lower price.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
Even without taking the new S3's many improvements into account, its asking price of $65,500 clearly represents a better buy than the 2003 version's almost-$2500 costlier levy.

Apart from updated safety features and more refined drivetrain (detailed later), the new S3's standard fare includes: DataDot security, rear parking sensors, anti-theft alarm, heated exterior mirrors, front and rear fog lights, Xenon headlights with washers, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, trip computer, power front windows, front seats' electric lumbar adjustment, split-fold rear backrest, rear sunblind, auto-dim interior mirror, rain sensing windscreen wipers, leather trim, multi-function wheel, eight-speaker BOSE sound system…. Phew! Get

Obviously, opting for a compact-size sports hatch like the S3, doesn't mean foregoing motoring life's little luxuries. But, with characteristic German thoroughness, Audi extends the S3's equipment list to accommodate clients with further urge to splurge.

Options include $1300 metallic paint, $1850 electric sunroof, $800 adaptive cornering headlights, $700 flat-bottomed steering wheel, $400 two-tone leather, $800 front seat heating, $5300 Navigation Plus system (includes the separately available $950 glovebox-mounted CD stacker)and a $300 storage package for extra pigeonholes.

Ultimately, for really determined big spenders, special deeply sculpted $6700 race-style front buckets are so sports focussed that they omit side airbags and electric lumbar adjustment.

MECHANICAL
The new S3 TFSI engine has less in common with the earlier S3's 1.8-litre 20-valve, 165kW/280Nm unit than with the current Golf GTI's.

Besides having adopted 2.0-litre capacity and a 16-valve head with direct fuel-injection like the 147kW/280Nm GTI, the S3's engine boasts 188kW maximum power (at 6000rpm) and 330Nm maximum torque (from 2500 to 5000rpm).

At the same time, combined drive-cycle fuel consumption has shrunk from the previous 10.0lt/100km to 9.2.

Factors behind the improved performance and fuel efficiency include relatively high 9.8:1 compression ratio, a more effective intercooler (capable of handling up to 650,000 litres of intake airflow per hour, says Audi) and a larger turbocharger (its housing integrated with the exhaust manifold) delivering up to 1.2bar boost (about 17.5psi) -- up from the GTI's 0.9bar (13psi).

Other developments include revised exhaust cam timing and continuously variable intake cam phasing, improved light alloy cylinder-head, reinforced cylinder block, larger injectors, new pistons with upgraded rings and stronger gudgeon pins, plus beefed-up connecting rods with upgraded bearings.

In other words, a virtually total reconstruction to fulfil the new job description.

The 188kW engine is teamed with a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox but no automatic. The quattro AWD system familiar from all other S models sees a computer controlled, hydraulically actuated multi-plate inserted between the tailshaft and the rear final drive/differential unit.

The computer constantly monitoring the front and rear tyres grip levels directs the degree of rear clutch engagement, so the drive is distributed accordingly.

By this means either pair of wheels can deliver up to 100 per cent of the drive, should the other end completely lack traction.

PACKAGING
If you know the earlier S3, you'll immediately appreciate the extra roominess that comes with the current A3/S3 body. Almost all the extra length conferred by the 59mm longer wheelbase is realised in the cabin, particularly in rear legroom which has expanded from snug to comfy.

Unlike the optional supersports buckets which simply fold for rear passenger entry and egress, the standard front seats tilt and slide for extra ease.

Although the interior design is derived from the A3 (more here), the S3 brings its own classy trim and decor, with many distinguishing touches, the most visible of which is the S3-specific instrument cluster.

The rear bench has belts for three occupants, is most welcoming for two, and has a split-fold backrest to enlarge the boot's ample 281 litres luggage capacity to more than 1000 litres.

Silvery highlights abound throughout the cabin, the sports-metal pedals for example, plus numerous bezels, surrounds and such. These not only enhance the appearance but also serve (intentionally or not) as reminders of Audi's attachment to aluminium, even in the largely steel S3.

SAFETY
With a four-star crash-test score to its credit (courtesy of the A3), the S3 comes highly credentialed for both active and passive safety.

The S3's responsive driving dynamics are backed by the surety of all-wheel drive, ABS anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, traction control, electronic diff lock and electronic stability system.

If worst comes to worst, the S3 does its utmost to minimise the effects with its crash-mitigating body structure, front airbags, front-side airbags, front-to-rear curtain airbags, belt force limiters on all the outer seating positions and front belt pre-tensioners.

Besides which, the front seats are specially designed for extra support for the upper back and head in event of a rear-end impact.

COMPETITORS
As a high performance, premium quality, AWD three-door hatch the Audi S3 has an unmatched profile and only a handful of other models move in the same circles, kind of...

The rear drive BMW 130i five-door hatchback, for example, has smaller cabin, 3.0-litre straight six (195kW, 315Nm), and the automatic and manual versions cost a little more or less, respectively, than the S3.

Mechanically, the closest things to the S3 are the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX and Subaru Impreza WRX STi. Bodily, they're sedans, which may count for or against them.

Both have supremely skilled AWD chassis, potent turbo engines and are manual only. The $56.8K Evo IX's 2.0-litre engine maxes at 206kW and 355Nm, while the $56,990 STi's 2.5-litre jobbie makes 206kW and 392Nm.

Like the S3, the Evo and STi can do 0-100km/h in under six seconds, but as daily drivers they're not quite at Audi's level for overall refinement and upmarket ambience.

ON THE ROAD
The Audi S3 makes a pretty convincing case wherever it holds court, and soon seals the verdict on the road.

For all the potency of its performance and the sheer dexterity of its handling, the S3 is a remarkably civil and engagingly pleasant car to use in everyday driving, anywhere.

Much credit goes to the way the engine and gearbox complement one another. Whether given a boisterous squirt for exhilaration's sake, or asked to amble along in stop-start peak hour traffic, the engine impresses with unflustered smoothness, elastic flexibility and total lack of temperament.

Yet it answers the throttle with wonderfully strong and welling urgency from as low as 2000rpm right through to 5000rpm, and still has over a thousand revs to come, if you want the rush to persist. Instant power, no waiting.

Making the most of this princely engine's manifold talents is always a no-brainer thanks to the nicely progressive, firmly positive clutch and the co-operatively tactile gearshift with its short travels and rifle-bolt action from slot to slot.

Every time you make a meaningful change of direction at speed in the S3 you're reminded this is a car born to go and bred to handle. To that end it sits 25mm lower than the A3, has stiffer suspension mounts, firmer bushings and uprated springs and dampers.

The multi-function three-spoke wheel is well and consistently weighted (unlike some electromechanical power-assist systems) and oversees a reasonably direct three-turns ratio which describe a usefully crisp 10.7m turning circle.

Although Braille-like feel for the road is absent, the steering has sufficient sense of connection that you can point the S3 into corners with authority and accuracy. And all without incurring the wilfully understeery handling that some AWD chassis display when cornered with zeal.

The S3 feels very securely planted on the road, with great grip from its 225/40R18 rubber, and tenacious sense of front/rear balance.

The firmly disciplined ride bestows taut body control while providing enough absorbency to blot most bumps without subjecting the occupants to wincing shocks or harshness.

Rounding out the S3's attributes, the so-called 17-inch brakes are big and arresting enough to repeatedly haul the car down from high speeds without wilting, yet also have the progressive pedal modulation to avoid over-braking in light/low-speed applications.

At the end of the day the S3 emerges as, maybe, a mouse that roars.

Because, considering the S3's seriously attractive material and dynamic qualifications, it shouldn't be surprising if Audi's more-than-100 yearly sales target proves less attuned to the market than the car is.

To comment on this story click