The five-door version of the most powerful and sure-footed Audi S3 ever produced is now on South African roads. The Audi S3 Sportback boasts a new chassis, suspension, engine and revised Quattro all-wheel drive system to make it one of the hottest hatchbacks of the moment.
Launched within days of possibly its biggest rival, the Volkswagen Golf R, the new Audi S3 Sportback undoubtedly shares much of its hardware with its in-house antagonist, but certainly delivers a distinct driving experience and one fitting of the more premium badge.
The S3 Sportback is styled to stand out from the rest of the range with an aluminium-look grille with matt Platinum Grey inserts. The front bumper has has been given a deeper set of air intakes over that of the S line package available within the Sportback range, and the headlights are xenon units as standard, but full LED items can be optioned.
In profile, the S3 Sportback features 18-inch 5-parallel spoke alloy wheels, traditional Audi aluminium-look mirror housings and deeper sideskirts. A new rear bumper with Platinum Grey diffuser and an aluminium-look double bar houses the exhaust system’s four, chromed, tailpipes. The tail lights are LED units and a S3 specific roof spoiler finishes off the rear.
The standard multifunction sport steering wheel, covered in leather, features a flat-bottomed rim, while pedals and footrests are made of brushed aluminium. Instrument gauges are dark grey and the indicators white. The tachometer’s gauge integrates a boost-pressure display. The driver information system, featuring a colour screen and rest-recommendation alerts, is standard.
The on-board monitor extends electronically and greets the driver with an S logo on the screen when the ignition is turned on. Colour-contrasting seams accentuate the otherwise black interior. Topping the range of infotainment modules is MMI navigation plus with MMI touch which is offered as an option.
The Audi S3 Sportback continues to be powered by a 2.0-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine, which includes highlights such as dual injection through the Audi valvelift system and an exhaust manifold integrated within the cylinder head. All told, the S3 Sportback has 206 kW and 380 Nm available between 1 800 – 5 500 r/min. Even so, fuel consumption has been reduced by around 18 percent to just 6.9 l/100km on average. The quad-exhausts emit a satisfying note, which can be toned down, together with throttle, transmission and steering response, via the Audi Drive Select system.
Available exclusively in South Africa with a 6-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, the S3 Sportback is deceptively fast, reaching 100 km/h from a standstill in 5.0 seconds and a limited top speed of 250 km/h. Of course the Quattro all-wheel drive system ensures the five-door hatch is very quick in the corners too.
We travelled to Aldo Scribante race circuit in the Eastern Cape to sample the car’s talents, where it impressed with a fluid character under tough conditions. Certainly the S3 has benefited from carrying 70 kilograms less weight than its predecessor, but other important changes to the car’s engineering have made an appreciable difference too.
The front axle is 52 mm further forward than before and the engine is tilted back by 12 degrees, whilst also weighing 5 kilograms less. Most of the weight saving measures have taken place up front, with the aluminium fenders and bonnet saving 17 kilograms alone.
The results of these changes are very good. The car is more balanced than before, meaning understeer is reduced and the cornering attitude of the car can be adjusted more readily with throttle inputs, thereby making it more involving to drive. The Quattro system is more sophisticated than ever, with imperceptible response to varying levels of grip at any of the four corners.
First impressions of the new electro-mechanical and speed-sensitive variable ratio steering are good. The system weights ups adequately at high speeds, allowing accurate placement of the car on the road and adjustments to the car’s cornering line via throttle inputs as previously mentioned. The ride quality itself is very progressive and devoid of any ‘hard-edges’, while the optional Audi Magnetic Ride System allows a choice between, comfort and sport damping characteristics.
Apart from the outright performance, the S3 Sportback continues to offer ample accommodation throughout, not forgetting the added practicality of a 365-litre boot area that’s expandable to 1 100-litres with the rear seats folded flat.
It’s this pragmatic approach to performance motoring that’s made the S3 Sportback so successful since its launch in 2006 and, with the benefits of new technology, weight savings and chassis dynamics, leaves little doubt as to the appeal of this latest generation.
| Pricing (incl. VAT & CO2 Tax) | |
| Audi S3 Sportback Quattro S tronic | R500 500 |
Pricing includes a 1-year/Unlimited km warranty, 5-year/100 000km service plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.
