Audi pulled some clever tricks with the design of their compact A3 and sportier S3 models. When one bears down on you from behind it looks for all the world like one of the manufacturer’s bigger cars; perhaps the A4 or A5. It’s only when it streaks past that you realise it’s one of their smaller - no less impressive - motors.
It’s the same if you see one from the front at the kerb; they have that desirable big-car heft, presence and unmistakable Audi stamp. It’s only when seen from the side - or back - that the car shrinks a little and you realise it’s the smaller model.
There’s a similar experience behind the wheel. With - essentially - a similar internal layout to the larger models, a great quality interior, a decent amount of space and nicely-placed controls, the S3 Sportback we drove does feel, somehow, a class above, despite being the same size as the VW Golf, BMW 1 Series, and Mercedes A-Class.
So what do you get on the latest Audi S3 Sportback? Ours was the Black Edition TFSI S-tronic - with various items of Black external trim, for instance around the windows, to make it stand out from the crowd. Star of the show is its turbocharged 1,984cc four-cylinder engine producing a chunky 242 bhp (22bhp up on the previous model) and a meaty 420 Nm of torque. That makes it the most powerful S3 in the car’s 25-year history. In case you’re wondering, that’s enough for a top speed governed to 155mph and a 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds. So those Dual-branch oval twin tailpipes in black chrome-plated finish aren’t just for show...
Other goodies on this car designed for the keen driver include keyless entry, a wireless phone-charging pad, a great 10.1-inch touchscreen, a Sonos 3D Premium sound system, a nicely effective adaptive cruise control and camera-based traffic sign recognition. Audi also crammed in sports suspension (15mm lower than on the standard A3), permanent quattro all-wheel drive, tyre pressure monitoring, privacy glass, heated front seats and lots more besides, making it feel like a very premium package.
Skin deep
Under the skin the suspension has been revised, the brakes uprated. Visually, there are bigger, deeper, grilles and intakes at the front, and new, sharper daytime running lights. It is a purposeful-looking car.
Inside, the Black theme continues with appropriately coloured headlining and carpet, while there are wider air vents and a neat, unobtrusive gear change ‘slider’, that is neat and efficient. As ever, with Audis, the interior is very stylishly and solidly designed, in keeping with the sporty nature of the car. Again, it adds up to the big-car feel.
Press the ‘start’ button and you’re left in no doubt that this is a ‘performance’ model; the exhaust note bellows nicely on startup, muting slightly when it all warms up. There’s a slick 7-speed S tronic dual clutch system making the most of the power; there are also paddles for DIY changes.
The overall feel? More direct, more sporting, sharper - more fun - than previous models.
On the road, the suspension is on the firm side but it soaks up the punishment nicely, while holding the car beautifully in line in the twisties; supportive seats hold driver and passenger well too. It always feels nimble, agile - always engaging and lots of fun to drive, always rewarding driver input. The power feeds in early - and keeps on coming in spades. Despite the all-wheel-drive, there’s a bit of sporty rear-wheel drive feel, at times, aided by a new torque vectoring system and steering that has been worked on to give more feel than in the previous model.
Sunny delight
It can be a relaxing car too, thanks to selectable driving modes. Exit the scintillating Dynamic mode, choose ‘Comfort’ and things soften up, making it a delightful, laid-back cruiser for a sunny afternoon in the country.
While there’s some tyre roar on motorways, sound levels are generally very well suppressed, and the adaptive cruise control does a good job not only of slowing down and speeding up, in line with traffic ahead, but also of queueing and pulling away again of its own accord, when you hit the inevitable tailbacks.
This S3 Sportback is a comfortable place to be too, with fine driver and front passenger seat adjustment possible thanks to a range of electronic switches. Tilting, telescopic steering makes finding the perfect seating position easy.
The S3’s boot offers around 325 litres of space so there’s certainly enough for a long weekend away for two people, three at a pinch. Which is what this S3 is all about; it offers a big dose of refined, usable, day-to-day practicality, comfort and luxury; the kind of car you can bimble through London in, enjoying the calm on the daily commute or for boring chores. And then enjoy out on the open road when you want sporty fun, involvement with your driving, and performance. The slick, big-car looks on this – not inexpensive - compact package are just a bonus.
The facts
Price: £50,570.00
Top speed: 155 mph
0-62 mph: 4.7 seconds
Consumption, combined: 33.2 mpg
CO2 emissions, combined: 194 g/km
Max bhp: 242
Max torque: 420 Nm
Brawn BGP 001/02 - under the bonnet of Jenson Button’s winning car.
If you follow the fast-moving world of F1, you’ll enjoy Porter Press’s latest in their line of ‘Great Cars’ books - as it’s all about the Brawn BGP 001/02: Jenson Button’s World Championship winner.
Lavishly illustrated and presented - as with the rest of this series - author David Tremayne tells the story backed up by telling interviews from key members of the team, including team principal Ross Brawn, team CEO Nick Frey, 2009 World Champion Button, and 11 Grand Prix-winning racing driver Rubens Barrichello.
As we’ve come to expect with ‘Great Cars’, there are more than 300 illuminating images - many not widely seen before. There are also specially commissioned studio photographs of the car as it appears today.
Included in this coffee-table book are copies of official company documentation and detailed diagrams. F1 fans will particularly enjoy detailed race reviews written by Tremayne, covering all 17 races in the 2009 season. Published by Porter Press, the handsome hardback costs £69.
