Audi S3

The Audi S3 is the most powerful version of the A3, is for sale from 39,510 € (all prices). The 2008 model is available with a body of 3 (pictures) or 5-door (Sportback 'images), something that did not occur in the range before (only had three).

The price of the S3 is high, but it has certain features that are worth it: its quality of finish, a comfort for daily use (the type of car that is) and their unusual dynamic qualities that are outstanding (especially those with to do with his ability to acceleration).

Another important development is that you can buy with automatic double-clutch 'S tronic (six walks) in addition to the manual. The S3 and 2007 could not have explained that Audi was "appropriate for a sport is a manual shift.

According to official data, the change in S3 'S tronic "is faster than with manual transmission and consumption is slightly lower (comparison table).

Audi S3. 2008El automatic model assumes a cost of about € 2230. It is a high and difficult to justify the performance gain and lower consumption, but may be interested in providing pleasure to drive and for his excellent performance. We tested the S3 was manual.

Driving

The impressions we have had no different to drive compared to that we had with the 2007 model.

With the S3 is relatively easy to go fast. The ease of driving is given by the apparent ease with which management continues to be marked with the wheel. What is relative, because in a car with the ability to accelerate is that it (benefits by km77.com) curves occur very quickly and gives little room for distraction.

Some drivers seem unwieldy because a car is not very sensitive to speed variations in the support (a feature that they can evaluate other drivers). Curves in some very slow, it is possible that the car rounded a curve with a little oversteer that can be produced by accelerating thoroughly. It is a small slip is not surprising because the driver is not so sudden or uncontrolled.

Audi has made a relatively comfortable car for normal use (suspension is hard but not dry), and yet, by their reactions on the curve is very interesting for use as a sport and for those who enjoy driving. This efficiency curve does not have sharp reaction in fact is easier to drive a BMW 130I (which is rear instead of total). For a normal A3, the S3 body is 25 mm nearer the ground.

We've tested with the optional suspension "Magnetic Ride" (1,285 €), which automatically varies the response of the dampers. Have two programs running: a normal and sporty. In normal operation, the vertical movements of the body are small, but even with that, a suspension is not particularly uncomfortable. In mode "Sport" increases the hardness and constantly feel any kind of irregular pavement in open road I do not think that compensates carry on this athletic program because what you lose in comfort not offset the gain in stability.

Audi S3. Model 2008En a front-wheel drive car that is expected to be almost out of the curve to step on the accelerator to the floor so that there is no understeer. In the S3, with the total traction, it is possible to anticipate that time without causing a significant variation of the trajectory.

Stability control, in general, does not usually upset if driving in a 'decisive' on asphalt in good condition. In any case, comes into operation to control the small loss of traction under acceleration with intensity at the exit of the curves.

The engine of the S3 is one of the strengths of this model. Is four-cylinder 2.0 TFSI, the variant of 265 hp. Has direct fuel injection and is supercharged by a turbocharger, larger than the 200 hp version, capable of generating an overpressure of 1.2 bar (more of the engine).

All the engines are good charm, the atmosphere and the turbo. The first-such as the BMW 130I, have a smooth and with a throttle response that makes them very pleasant to drive. The S3 is not very linear response, but gives a boost to half exciting scheme and it is much more intense than that of a BMW 130I, but not be profitable for a little bit progressive.

It is an engine with great force. In fact, despite the total traction (via a Haldex coupling) is not uncommon to see lights as the witness of traction control to accelerate in intensity if the road is not in good condition, something not always common in powerful cars traction total. I could not drive on wet asphalt.

According to data approved any of the two possible body and changing gears, the new S3 spends less than the model 2007 (comparative form) because the bottom of the fairing and bodywork is because the adjustment of the total traction differently to improve energy efficiency. We in the road we traveled more than two lanes each way, we obtained a reduction of nearly 1 l/100 km run at the same average speed (133 km / h).

Among the cars that have some similar characteristics, not the least consumed, but is distinguished by its performance (comparison table). So, everyone who spends less traction only on one axis and its benefits are worse, like the BMW 130I, the Opel Astra OPC or the SEAT Leon Cupra 2.0 TFSI 240 hp.

The location is good but feel guilty to be little direct (there are three turns of the wheel over buffers).

Equipment

Audi S3. 2008La body model of S3 takes some of the changes in the range A3 2009. Thus, the headlights have a different function and include a daylight through a strip of LEDs (image). The pilots have fiber optics to distribute light and mirrors, with the chrome casing, incorporating the intermittent.

The front airbags, front side and head, stability control, air conditioning or the xenon headlamps are one of the elements that are standard. Are missing, since the costs, others such as the connection automatic lights and wipers and electrically folding mirrors are optional.

The seats can be upholstered in fabric, a combination of leather and Alcantara or leather throughout. Alternatively, some entries such as' bacquet. With them, the subject is very high, but the prominent lateral projections clearly impede access, and above all, the output of the car even people agile. With the optional sunroof, the interior height is insufficient to drivers over 1.90 m in height.

Except for the decorative details and the seats, the cabin and the trunk are identical to the rest of the range A3