Audi S3 2007 Review

We may think of Australia as the lucky country, but Audi's engineering department reckons we're also a hot country. That explains why Aussiebound versions of the S3 hot hatch are down 7kW and 20Nm compared to their European counterparts.

Still, 188kW and 330Nm is plenty of poke for a 1455kg all-paw hatch. The engine hardware is obviously closely related to the turbocharged four-cylinder found in the VW Golf GTI.

But with a bigger turbo and intercooler, the Audi (even our mildly detuned spec) delivers 41kW and 50Nm more than the VW. Because of the increased boost pressure (1.2 bar in the S3 against 0.9 bar in the Golf), the Audi runs a lower static compression ratio (9.8:1 compared to the GTI's 10.5:1).

In the real world, compared with the Golf GTI, all of this tech talk equates to a marginally more doughy throttle response from low rpm. But once its tacho is showing 2000rpm, the S3 fairly hauls. Audi claims its S3 will scorch to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds before nudging the speed limiter at 250km/h.

Third and fourth gears of the six-speed manual 'box deliver a huge breadth of performance (remember though, our drive impression is based on the European power and torque figures).

Squeeze the throttle in fourth and the S3 lunges forward like a VW Golf GTI does in second. The 'box uses two output shafts to run two different final drives; a shorter 4.24:1 final drive in the first four gears and a more economy-friendly 3.27:1 in the top two cogs.

Unfortunately, our drive impressions were limited to fast autobahn driving, so it's difficult to make a critical assessment of the S3's handling envelope. However, there's obviously loads of grip served up by 225/40 R18 Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.

Unfortunately, it also exhibited a choppy low- and medium-speed ride, which was greatly disappointing because the TT Roadster we drove on the same day (see page 110) had a fine ride across broadly similar roads.

Visually, the S3 doesn't shout its fast car potential with wild wings or oversized alloys. Instead, the S3 is a more sombre, grown-up fast car. Silver wing mirror casings, a subtle bodykit, xenon headlights, twin oval exhaust tips and 18-inch multi-spoke alloys is all that separate the S3 from the cooking variety three-door A3s.

Whether that's a plus or a minus will depend largely on whether you require your car to announce its purchase price to passers-by.

At $65,500, the S3 is not cheap and it goes part way to explain why Audi is expecting only 100 S3s to find homes in Australia each year. It's also a price that places it $2000 above the dynamically superior BMW 130i.

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