Experience the Power of the Audi S3 Sportback | Audi

Audi S3 Sportback

Experience the Power of the Audi S3 Sportback

Arrived last SeptemberAt the pinnacle of Audi's latest compact hatch "A3 Series" is the "S3 Sportback." Tatsuya Otani, who had already test-driven the "A3 1.8TFSI quattro" and the related "Golf GTI," approached it with the expectation of it being a slightly more powerful version. However, after driving it on highways and mountain roads, his perception was completely changed. What is the true capability of Audi's latest premium compact, as revealed through a test drive?

Text by OTANI TatsuyaPhotographs by ARAKAWA Masayuki

A World Apart from the A3

AudiA3 SedanThe speed of the A3 1.8 TFSI quattro was still deeply ingrained in my senses, as it had only been a month since I attended the press event for the Audi "A3 Sedan."

Like Audi's other latest power units, the 1.8-liter engine, producing 180ps, generates abundant torque from just above idle. This torque is transmitted to the drive wheels via the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, which eschews a torque converter. Consequently, the moment you press the accelerator, the car begins to move, and it then dashes forward with unwavering determination, without a hint of hesitation or indecision.

This agility can be experienced not only in the A3 1.8 TFSI but also in the A3 1.4 TFSI cylinder on demand, which features cylinder deactivation. In other words, the engine's torque characteristics, which build up rapidly from low speeds, combined with a gearbox that delivers power directly without any slip, provide a more responsive acceleration feel than the actual performance might suggest.

In contrast, the "S3 Sportback," the flagship model of the A3 series, is equipped with a 2.0-liter engine that delivers a maximum output of 280ps at 5,100-6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 380Nm at 1,800-5,100 rpm.

Indeed, the difference in maximum output reaches 100ps. Yet, despite being a sporty model, it is still a C-segment car. I assumed it would only be slightly faster than the A3 1.8 TFSI, but I was completely mistaken.

Its overwhelming performance was so vastly superior to the A3 1.8 TFSI that it felt less like an S3 and more like an "RS3," a model from a class above (though an RS model for the current A3 series has not yet been announced).

Firstly, the low-to-mid-range engine torque, which already felt substantial in the A3 1.8 TFSI, has become "robust" as if it had increased by about 50 percent. In reality, the A3 1.8 TFSI's maximum torque is 280Nm, making the difference exactly 100Nm, or a 36 percent increase. However, thanks to the engine torque that surges like a torrent, the 1,510kg vehicle feels as if its weight has been reduced to around 1,000kg, delivering exhilarating acceleration.

Audi S3 Sportback

Experience the Power of the Audi S3 Sportback (2)

Sustained Power and High Stability

I had driven the latestGolf GTIprior to this, and the S3 undoubtedly surpasses its acceleration capabilities as I recall them. Upon checking, the Golf GTI has a maximum output of 220ps. It's clear that the S3 is indeed superior.

Furthermore, the 280ps output from the S3 is delivered to the road through Audi's "quattro" full-time four-wheel-drive system, a technology refined over more than 30 years. As a result, the tires never skid, regardless of how roughly the throttle pedal is operated or how wet the road surface may be. This undoubtedly contributes to the exhilarating acceleration feel mentioned earlier.

Moreover, the S3's power is not just for a brief moment after starting off; it continues with sustained vigor. This means you can fully enjoy its performance not only in congested city streets or tight winding roads but also on highways with heavy traffic. This is another reason why I felt inclined to call the S3 an RS3.

With such impressive speed, one might expect a sense of fear to dominate when driving on mountain roads like those in Hakone, but the S3 somehow inspires no such apprehension. Even when driven at a relaxed pace, the speedometer needle indicates alarming speeds, yet the S3's body remains perfectly stable. The very fact that one cannot gauge their speed without looking at the speedometer is a testament to the S3's high level of stability.

Audi S3 Sportback

Experience the Power of the Audi S3 Sportback (3)

Embodying Audi's True Essence

Beyond its stable body, the S3 offers remarkably agile handling. This is another point of contrast with the Golf GTI, which shares a similar lineage. Of course, the Golf GTI is also quite agile. However, when gripping the steering wheel, the S3 feels more responsive in its handling, changing direction with a nimble flick in S-curves.

In reality, the front-wheel-drive Golf GTI weighs about 120kg less at 1,390kg, so it would be expected to exhibit more agile movements than the S3. Yet, likely due to its sophisticated suspension tuning, the S3 feels significantly more nimble.

The same can be said for the ride comfort. While the Golf GTI offers a planted feel with its damped suspension, the S3 maintains a light and smooth ride throughout. Despite this, the suspension moves smoothly, preventing the body from being unduly jostled.

This is true not only for the S3 but for all A3 series models. The suspension of the A3/S3, which maintains a flat body while offering a sense of lightness, is highly refined.

While there's little ostentation in its exterior or interior, the meticulous craftsmanship is evident at first glance, just as with any other Audi. Naturally, one wouldn't find fault with the quality of the Golf, but the S3 possesses a unique allure that evokes a proactive desire to "continue driving this car."