2015 Audi S3
The front console armrest closes just like the doors: smooth, solid, function without frippery. That sums up half the S3's nutshell, the other half is excellent performance balanced with efficiency and comfort. (Overall Score: 7.5)
Walkaround
Brand managed designers can be predictable and the S3 is exactly as expected, an A3 with a more imposing front fascia, S badges at both ends and front brake calipers, aluminum-look mirror housings, a smidge more side sill, twin tailpipes in duplicate, the slenderest of trunk spoilers, slightly lower altitude and 19-inch wheels comprised of hub and rim joined by five tuning forks. If you like the A3 you'll like this; if you don't, go straight to "Driving." (Score: 7.8)
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Interior
Cabin S-design mimics bigger Audis too with rubber/metal pedal plates, two-tone contrast-stitch leather sport seats with thigh extensions, drive select switch, S-badged tach and three-quarters steering wheel. It also gets a redundant bar-segment boost gauge…you will hear and feel it so no need for this nonsense, why not just let me know how hot or not the engine is.
For a contemporary, efficient cabin it drew a wide range of reactions from incredulity—"This is a $54,000 car?" to "This is cool, especially these vents." I found it attractively functional and well assembled, and the back seat more accommodating than a Mercedes-Benz CLA or BMW 2-series. I wish the dash had just one seam line for the retracting screen.
The sport seats are a big plus…I'd wished for them in the A3. Although the steering goes only 2.1 turns lock-to-lock I still found some roads where I'd prefer the wheel round all the way around, instead of flat-bottomed.
In other respects it's all A3 2.0, including the trunk smaller than the front-drive 1.8. (Score: 7.2)
Tech
The S3 offers all the A3's telematicconnectedness (it's German, why use more than one word) and the rocking 700-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system. Inputs include disc-drive for books-on-CD, SD/HC and SIM cards, USB/aux ports and whatever you can pull from antennae, the web or your phone.
S3 also brings drive select—like "quattro" this is not capitalized—whereby steering effort, engine/gearbox response, engine sound (less muted, not synthesized) and suspension firmness (since the 19-inch wheel and magnetic ride options go together) varies to two degrees, all automatic, or each as you set up individually. You know, so you have great engine response and noise but soft suspension and low steering effort for those rally stages on your commute. (Score: 7.9)
Driving
There aren't many sedans that rate 9.0 l/100km and sprint to 100 km/h in less than five seconds, but S3 does. The responsive engine delivers 292 horses up top (5400-6200 rpm), 280 lb-ft of torque elsewhere (1900-5300 rpm), pulls well to redline and makes nice sounds in the process; I'm having trouble thinking of a superior 2.0-litre turbo.
Consumption varies widely: I could match the urban 10.1 and improve the highway 7.7 to 6.9, but use power with fequency and 13.0-plus becomes the norm.
And the equally excellent twin-clutch gearbox, all-wheel drive that allows some rear-drive like fun, moderate 1,565-kg mass and upgraded brakes and suspension encourage you to use the power at will. Idle creep and quick-biting brakes show how eager it is.
Steering is quick and obedient. Unless you really overcook, corner entry understeer isn't an issue, yielding a chassis enthusiasts could enjoy without sacrificing confidence the quattro badge inspires.
Nineteen-inch wheels pair with magnetic ride control, a multipurpose combo worth the $1,500. Auto mode thinks faster and more accurately than you—so soft on speed bumps you wonder if it even has shocks but tightens immediately with quick steering or pedal inputs, dynamic mode damping puts sticky tires to best use, and dialing it back to comfort saves ride quality for rumbling through slush and frost heaves.
And through all this it's solid and composed. It might have more road noise than an S4 or certainly an A6, but you'll still feel construction's on par. (Score: 8.9)
Value
S3 runs from $46,200 to $54,000; $52,250 as shown without Tech pack and a few smaller options. I could be swayed by an S4 6-speed for $2,000 more. There are few direct competitors but contenders include the BMW M235i xDrive beginning at $48,750, a CLA 45AMG at $50,600, Subaru WRX Sport-tech at $35,500 and the STI at $45,000. My big problem is a Golf R offers hatchback flexibility, choice of gearboxes and fewer kg for $5,000 (DSG) to $6,200 (manual) less. (Score: 5.8)
Conclusion
The S3 is exactly what it should be, a slightly smaller S4 with easily accessible, balanced, everyday performance. It's equally at home in a garage full of Audis or a solo carport.
Autofocus.ca is a Canadian automotive website dedicated to making car shopping easier and driving more fun. Follow Autofocus on Facebook and Twitter.
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