A3/S3/RS3 EVO Drives the S3 (265PS)

[Bruce]

 

[Zafiro]

3,5 out of 5 sounds like GTI a better choice

 

[Bruce]

3,5 out of 5 sounds like GTI a better choice

Yeah that's what they think, they said the GTI is more engaging, while the 130i offering an equal price is more entertaining and the R32 can be bought for a little less than the S3.

 

[Tumbo]

Yeah that's what they think, they said the GTI is more engaging, while the 130i offering an equal price is more entertaining and the R32 can be bought for a little less than the S3.

Audi gets a big from me bout the S3. The car looks amazing, but I laugh at those 2.0T 265 ps, where the A3 3.2 has a REAL engine with 250 ps.

 

[Bruce]

Audi gets a big from me bout the S3. The car looks amazing, but I laugh at those 2.0T 265 ps, where the A3 3.2 has a REAL engine with 250 ps.

Good point when it comes to the A3 3.2, while i'm sure the 2.0 Turbo engine is the S3 is great the 3.2 offers nearly as much power and at a much cheaper price tag. It probably isn't as sporty as the S3, nor does it look as good icondrool ) but from this article it appears EVO doesn't really care. I'd really like to see Sport Auto test the S3 and see what they come up for figures, they tested the old S3 before so we can expect this test in the near future. I'd be interested in what it could achieve, maybe it doesn't feel more engaging than a R32, but maybe it's performance is a step ahead.

 

[martinbo]

Well, I like EVO so much, I'm actually a subscriber. The S3's rating is typical of EVO - they've never been fans of the S3 concept so why expect anything to change? Besides - John Barker did the review and he's one mean task master to try and impress. The S3's rating isn't shameful - it's just that the benchmark in powerful all-wheel drive cars is set so high with cars like the R32 (a brilliant car that deserves every accolade) and STI's and EVOs... that I expect that S3 comes across as a little underwhelming.

The interesting points in the driving impression are that the S3 is punchy, rapid and a fine handling machine. Perhaps its competence is its ultimate undoing? Nevertheless, I expect it to post class-leading lap times at Bedford and it will no doubt grow in stature with familiarity. Let's keep an open mind and watch this space...

With the new generation of Haldex-based quattro (someone recently thought fit to call it rubbish or such like in another thread tsk tsk) I think the new S3 will show its true merit in a full-on performance test.

By the way... the new S3 (in right hand drive guise for the South African market) has been shown at Auto Africa over the past fortnight. I spend quite some time pouring over the car's interior, styling and vital stats. It's seriously lovely - it'd be my hyper hatch choice in a heartbeat. Interestingly, because of our lousy 95 octane petrol, the S3 has been de-rated to a scant 188 kW and 330 Nm! On paper absolutely bugger-all over a 3.2 quattro! Of course, I'm certain that it'll be worth every cent more despite...

 

[DaSilva]

All The Audi Models are I'm not shocked by the 3,5 of 5 rating

 

[Bruce]

Well, I like EVO so much, I'm actually a subscriber. The S3's rating is typical of EVO - they've never been fans of the S3 concept so why expect anything to change? Besides - John Barker did the review and he's one mean task master to try and impress. The S3's rating isn't shameful - it's just that the benchmark in powerful all-wheel drive cars is set so high with cars like the R32 (a brilliant car that deserves every accolade) and STI's and EVOs... that I expect that S3 comes across as a little underwhelming.

Yeah true, EVO didn't say it was a bad car by anymeans, just not as exciting as some of it's competition and it has some tough enemy's. Especially the 130i which if my memory serves me correctly is one of EVO's favourite hot hatches.

. Let's keep an open mind and watch this space...

Agreed with that comment 100 % and that's why, like i said in the post above yours i'd really like to see it tested by Sport Auto.

 

[Bruce]

All The Audi Models are I'm not shocked by the 3,5 of 5 rating

Hey!!! I like the S8

EVO gave it 4 out of 5: click here

 

[Mr. M]

Well, I like EVO so much, I'm actually a subscriber. The S3's rating is typical of EVO - they've never been fans of the S3 concept so why expect anything to change? Besides - John Barker did the review and he's one mean task master to try and impress. The S3's rating isn't shameful - it's just that the benchmark in powerful all-wheel drive cars is set so high with cars like the R32 (a brilliant car that deserves every accolade) and STI's and EVOs... that I expect that S3 comes across as a little underwhelming.

The interesting points in the driving impression are that the S3 is punchy, rapid and a fine handling machine. Perhaps its competence is its ultimate undoing? Nevertheless, I expect it to post class-leading lap times at Bedford and it will no doubt grow in stature with familiarity. Let's keep an open mind and watch this space...

With the new generation of Haldex-based quattro (someone recently thought fit to call it rubbish or such like in another thread tsk tsk) I think the new S3 will show its true merit in a full-on performance test.

By the way... the new S3 (in right hand drive guise for the South African market) has been shown at Auto Africa over the past fortnight. I spend quite some time pouring over the car's interior, styling and vital stats. It's seriously lovely - it'd be my hyper hatch choice in a heartbeat. Interestingly, because of our lousy 95 octane petrol, the S3 has been de-rated to a scant 188 kW and 330 Nm! On paper absolutely bugger-all over a 3.2 quattro! Of course, I'm certain that it'll be worth every cent more despite...

Still, what makes you so sure it's so much better than the NA 3.2 Quattro?

 

[Choleric]

All The Audi Models are I'm not shocked by the 3,5 of 5 rating

 

[DaSilva]

Hmm... not the S1 of course!!!!!
but the rest no...
[RS] Audi's are wounderful & Brutale

 

[Choleric]

Hmm... not the S1 of course!!!!!
but the rest no...
[RS] Audi's are wounderful & Brutale

Of course theyre wonderful but so ar S cars. Most people buying Audi's aren't able to afford RS cars, so S cars make perfect sense and in daily driving, which is what most use their cars for, are just as fun and capable as an RS car.

 

[DaSilva]

Of course theyre wonderful but so ar S cars. Most people buying Audi's aren't able to afford RS cars, so S cars make perfect sense and in daily driving, which is what most use their cars for, are just as fun and capable as an RS car.

JUST AS FUN ? You need a [RS] to have real fun!
Poor owner's ..

 

[Choleric]

JUST AS FUN ? You need a [RS] to have real fun!
Poor owner's ..

in daily driving, which is what most use their cars for, are just as fun and capable as an RS car

When youre going to work, taking the kids to school, or picking up groceries, it most certainly is, especially since you saved $20-30K while doing it.

And when you say Poor S owners do you mean that literally?

 

[martinbo]

Still, what makes you so sure it's so much better than the NA 3.2 Quattro?

In a nutshell, Mirage77, the S3 will be more focused and far more sporty. The current 3.2 quattro is, well, a little soft in my opinion. And it's every bit a front-wheel drive biased Haldex setup with 100% of the drive going to the front in normal conditions. In the S3 more of the torque is sent aft as a predefined torque-split configuration under neutral driving conditions.

 

[Mr. M]

In a nutshell, Mirage77, the S3 will be more focused and far more sporty. The current 3.2 quattro is, well, a little soft in my opinion. And it's every bit a front-wheel drive biased Haldex setup with 100% of the drive going to the front in normal conditions. In the S3 more of the torque is sent aft as a predefined torque-split configuration under neutral driving conditions.

Thank you for explaining that, it's clearer to me now.

 

[Tumbo]

Co-sign that. Marquez, you really need to think twice before you post such a post!!

 

[DaSilva]

Co-sign that. Marquez, you really need to think twice before you post such a post!!

I don't like the S cars.. and I thinks it's very right when you see a test when the S loses against Vw R32 and A BMW 1-Series 130i. The S means nothing...

If the test had been done with the 3.2 V6, A3 I sure the outcome would be different!

Why do we need a S that is only for losing ?

Audi A4 3.2 V6 quattro 712 000,- 255 BHP

Audi S4 4.2 V8 1 057 000,- 344BHP

Audi [RS]4 4.2 1 320 000,- 420 BHP

BUY The A or the RS ... S stands for Somthing I dont know..

Why hasn't BMW or Mercedes a middle car ? Because it's not nesessary.. !

Only car in the world that is worth to have the real badge is the Audi S1

 

[Choleric]

I don't like the S cars.. and I thinks it's very right when you see a test when the S loses against Vw R32 and A BMW 1-Series 130i. The S means nothing...

If the test had been done with the 3.2 V6, A3 I sure the outcome would be different!

Why do we need a S that is only for losing ?

Audi A4 3.2 V6 quattro 712 000,- 255 BHP

Audi S4 4.2 V8 1 057 000,- 344BHP

Audi [RS]4 4.2 1 320 000,- 420 BHP

BUY The A or the RS ... S stands for Somthing I dont know..

Why hasn't BMW or Mercedes a middle car ? Because it's not nesessary.. !

Only car in the world that is worth to have the real badge is the Audi S1

Because not everybody can AFFORD a RS car, It's easy to forget about price when you fantasize about cars on the internet but in real life money is a huge issue, which is exactly why you see way more S4's driving around than you do RS4's. I would take a S4 long before an RS4 simply for the economic reasons.

And BMW and MB do have middle cars in their segment. I'll quote myself from another thread...

I don't see why it is so hard for everybody to understand the purpose of the S4, It's pretty clear actually. The RS 4 is what, $66K while the S4 is $48K, so more people are going to be able to afford the S4 than the RS 4.

Audi has 4 models in their small luxary car segment just like BMW and they are all gradually spaced apart, so there is something for everybody depending on price or performance.

A4 2.0T $28K - 200hp
A4 3.2 $36K - 255hp
S4 4.2 $48K - 340hp
RS 4 $66K - 420hp

S4 makes perfect sense to me, which explains why I see more S4s driving around than RS 4s.

Likewise here is BMW where the coupe takes the place of the S4

328i $32K - 230hp
335i $39K - 300hp
335icoupe $42K - 300hp
M3 ??????

Mercedes

C230 $30K - 200hp
C280 $35K - 230hp
C350 $40K - 270hp
C55 ??????
C63 ??????

*the 335i coupe is counted seperatly because of its price