Hello
Petrolheads!
The
next lines regard the car I have been daily driving for the last four months:
Audi’s previous generation S3 Limousine. Having regularly driven the
pre-facelift version with some frequency, and never having fallen in love with
it – blame a lack of soul – wasn’t expecting much from the mild makeover. Yet,
it reminds me of Merc’s facelift of its SLK R170: appearances can be deeply
underwhelming!
The 8V Generation was first released back in 2012, then only as a three-door hatchback, and only two years later the full range was available in the market, with the arrival of the Cabrio version complementing the three-door hatchback, five-door estate and this four-door Limousine. Being one of the key models in Audi’s range, the design was an evolution of the predecessor’s: understated, technological and very elegant – a true future classic. Audi didn’t feel like changing a proven formula, and that was the best option in my opinion (as the fussy latest-generation shows).
To complement a very complete and competent – apart from the dismal 1.6-litre TDI – engine palette, the range included a sportier S version and an even sportier RS derivative. Now, that had been happening for some time, within Audi’s other ranges, and with mixed results: the intermediate S versions were, for the most time, nothing but faster versions of the basic engine options – meaning, pretty one dimensional. Even the pre-facelift S3 felt like that.
But then came the makeover in the Spring of 2016, which brought in very subtle – yet effective – modifications.
Mechanically, the S3 received a retuned engine (10 PS and 20 Nm extra), a new double-clutch automatic gearbox (with seven ratios instead of six), a revised exhaust system and other minor changes. It doesn’t sound like must, but trust me: it is.
Performance-wise, this S3 doesn’t feel that different from the previous iteration: full throttle is even more impressive, with fewer traction losses than before, even on narrow winter tires, so am guessing the differentials were updated in some way. In fact, during a couple of pretty atrocious Winter weeks here in Germany, which saw the biggest snow storms in a decade, the way the S3 handled almost un-driveable tarmac – more like ice-covered tracks, sometimes – was absolutely astonishing. Always planted, never feeling like struggling, it provided a sense of reassurance that was extremely welcome in such circumstances.
On B-roads, in provides overtaking abilities which make for very quick progress, but also massively threat your driving license – it’s normal to, after overtaking three cars in a row, be doing over 150 km/h. Using the manual mode of the DSG gearbox, to select a low gear ratio before the maneuver starts (avoiding the slightly clumsy kickdown function), not only adds involvement but also nullifies acceleration delay. Setting up the car’s settings for maximum-attack mode, plus comfort setting for steering and suspension, and using the sequential function of the gearbox, makes for virtually lag-free throttle response from above 3000 rpm. It’s only below 2000 rpm that it struggles a bit… which is more than acceptable. Even 7th gear is appropriate for Autobahn overtaking. Chasing the redline is a bit useless, as progress is slower above 6000 rpm than, say, 4500 rpm, where the meat of the torque is to be found, so you are better off short shifting.
Speaking of Autobahn, this is another S3’s playground. It reaches (electronically-limited) 250 km/h (155 mph) with ease, and again, given you have the car set up the right way, plays a theatre that makes you doubt you are driving a “civilian” Audi. The exhaust note is superbly tuned – in “loud” mode, it manages to never be intrusive or exaggerated in any sort of way, and adds a sense of occasion I had never found in a mundane four-cylinder. The predecessor’s constant pops and bangs on the overrun are – fortunately – mostly gone, and instead we find a deeper, more volumetric sound, vaguely reminiscent of glorious normally-aspirated Italian V8 engines of a recent past. Both inside and out. Just… perfect!
High-speed
curves are dealt with complete neutrality, even below freezing temperatures
(but clear tarmac), and again, the level of reassurance is great. Braking power
is perfectly suited to the package as well, and the LED-Matrix headlights are
competent (just avoid the automated high-beam assist, as it’s on the slow
side).
The
controls are the S3’s Achilles’ Heel. Although Brake pedal feeling is
reassuring, without significant dead travel, the steering – very fast and
pretty accurate – doesn’t feedback much information to the driver (its sport
mode exclusively adds unnecessary weigh). Yet, the DSG gearbox is the real
crime perpetrator. During city driving, it’s dim-witted, jerky and doesn’t make
for fluid progress. I will give you an example: you arrive at a busy
roundabout, or crossing, and spot a chance to blend in, so suddenly need a
short, quick acceleration burst. Well, in automatic – even on sport mode – it’s
never going to happen. What you get is nothing, so you plant your foot, the
gearbox downchanges, the turbo spools up and, only then, you are moving. Only
“then” is way too late and you just look like a fool with a poor situation
judgement. That’s why, even in the city, I end up driving it in manual mode.
Changing cogs on the steering wheel using paddles with great haptics is
anything but a core anyway. Just a shame that the transition from first to
second takes more revs to happen than from there on.
Even
so, can only imagine how accomplished the S3 is with one of Audi’s slick manual
gearboxes.
Fuel
consumption is pretty reasonable, especially given the available performance.
Autobahn-cruising at around 130 km/h (80 mph) allows for sub 7 L/100km (40 mpg UK)
averages to be easily reachable. During the last three months, having the
drivetrain permanently in dynamic mode, mostly deep below freezing temperatures
and daily 2x12 km commutes, plus 2x 360 km weekly drives, I managed just over 8
L/100km (35 mpg UK). Must note that that included some (very) fast Autobahn
driving and also the aforementioned blizzards, where slower driving in
intermediate gears was the norm.
Practicality-wise,
the S3 is very accomplished as well. Having the suspension in comfort mode
makes for a firm, but perfectly acceptable, ride. All-round visibility could be
better, like in most modern cars, but the rear-view camera and lane-change
assist (LEDs placed on the rearview mirrors flash if you put on the blinker and
there is a car in the surroundings) make up for that. Rear legroom is a bit
cramped, but the boot is surprisingly generous.
All
in all, the S3 is a true triathlon winner. There is no situation where it is
less than extremely competent, but the big news is that there is soul as well. As
far as I’m concerned, that’s a first for an Audi.
Verdict: Germany’s Swiss Army knife.
Official vital data:
Engine and transmission:
1984 cc, inline-4 cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, direct
injection, turbocharger, timing chain-driven valves, all aluminium (Otto)
310 PS (228 kW)/ 5500-6500 rpm
400 Nm/ 2000-5400 rpm
Red line: 6800 rpm
7-speed, automatic dual clutch transmission
Dimensions and weights:
Length/ wheelbase/ width/ height: 4,469/ 1,796/ 1,441 metres
Turning circle: 11 metres
Weight: 1540 kg
Boot: 390 litres (VDA)
Fuel tank: 55 litres
Tires: 205/50R17, Dunlop Winter Sport 5
Performance:
Top speed: 250 km/h (156 mph), reached in 6th and 7th
gears
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 4.6 seconds
Fuel consumption (NEDC, urban/extra-urban/average): 8.3/ 5.5/ 6.5
l/100km (34/ 51/ 43 UK mpg), 98-RON (Super Plus)
CO2 emissions: 151 g/km (Euro 6)
3000 rpm, 7th gear: 169 km/h (speedo)
Main equipment: dual-zone climate
control, twin front airbags, sidebags, windowbags, digital cockpit, DAB radio
with Bluetooth connectivity, 2x USB ports, sat nav, leather sports steering
wheel and gearbox knob, leather Recaro seats with heating, adaptive cruise
control, electric power steering, Matrix LED headlights, 17” alloy wheels, ABS+ASR+ESP,
driver assist with traffic signal recognition, rear-view camera, parking
sensors F+R, emergency city braking.
German price in 2016: 44 800€.
Rating: 19 out of 20
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