audi s3 2016 test drive — Test Drive and Review

audi s3 2016 test drive
The 2015 Audi S3 2.0T quattro S tronic is the hot-rodded version of their new A3 four-door sedan. Using a derivative of the A3’s turbo engine, it has received a seeing to that manages a 33-percent increase in horsepower (72 additional) over the standard 220 horsepower inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine. Better suited for four passengers than the five it is equipped for, it is part of the same platform family (MQB) that is the basis for more than 50 VW Group models including the Audi TT, VW Jetta and Golf.
All S3 models are coupled to Audi’s S tronic six-speed dual-clutch transmission with quattro all-wheel-drive.
What’s it up against?
The Audi S3 competes almost head-to-head with the newer breed of high performance sedans like Mercedes-Benz’s CLA45 AMG, while the Subaru WRX STI manages that same feat with a smaller price tag. The VW Golf R is a mechanically similar model, while the BMW M235i also jumps into the fray, but with only two doors instead of the four the other models have.

How does it look?
«Honey, I shrunk the S4,» seems apropos for this Audi pocket rocket. Displaying many of the same styling cues as seen on its more mature big brother, the S3 still manages a few tricks of its own, while proudly displaying its Audi DNA. Starting with the customary Audi Singleframe horse collar grille, with trademark quad rings, the car is the same, only smaller. Contemporary use of LED lighting gear gives a high-tech appearance to the distinctive «slash»-style daylight running lights that are quite visible in the rear-view mirror of another car as the S3 approaches. Full LED headlights are available at extra cost.

Other S3-specific equipment is on hand, including an S3 rear lip spoiler, 19-inch split spoke alloy wheels, and alu-optic side mirrors. Quad exhausts with chrome finishers offer performance and appearance cred, while a front splitter and a rear diffuser make the scene for at least the implied look of performance and downforce.

And on the inside?
Audi has always managed to shine in the field of interior design, and the S3 continues to illuminate. Covered in black leather, the well-bolstered and adjustable sport seats offered comfortably firm place-keeping while we negotiated some of the back roads in South Florida. A flat-bottomed leather wrapped steering wheel allowed for easy input, and when joined by the alloy paddle shift levers, made it so that a driver really never had to remove his hands from the wheel. That was, unless he or she wanted to use the MMI touch controller to input a destination or other function.

As previously stated, back seat width was comfortable for two, but a tighter squeeze for three. Rear seat legroom could be a crapshoot depending on the length of those people sitting in the front seat.

As for creature comforts, the S3 had it all, including Satellite and HD radio systems and a pop-up seven-inch display. If manufacturers continue to insist on center console mounted multimedia controllers, they can surely do a lot worse then the Audi MMI input system. With not too steep a learning curve, drivers not familiar with such systems were quickly comfortable with this vehicle’s MMI operations. BMW must have been taking note, too, as their latest generation of iDrive system bears a striking similarity to Audi’s pioneering system.

Since equipped with the quattro all-wheel-drive system, trunk cargo capacity takes a 2.3 cubic foot hit, down to 10.0-cubic feet from its FWD 12.3 cubic feet capacity. On the other side of the coin, the rear seat can fold forward in a 60:40 split for increased carrying space.
The S tronic six-speed dual clutch transmission was a smooth operator that moves on up through the gears with nary a bump or a grind, save for the audible pop that was expressed at the top of each gear change. If that sound doesn’t put hair on your chest, chances are, very few other things will. Audi says that naught to 60 can happen within 4.7 seconds. Top speed for the 3,450-pounder, as equipped, is a sublime 155-mph. EPA fuel economy checks in at 23 city/31 highway, with 26 combined.

Ride quality was excellent on perfect roads, with the Audi Magnetic Ride system tending to veer on the harsher side of the setup scale. It was only on rare occasions that the ride felt as though it could rattle out any dental work, due to impossibly poor road conditions, and not the car itself. Grip was otherworldly, and seemingly had us pushing out of a turn before the front end had actually settled itself. The braking was confident, while not grabby. Both parts of the equation made for quite the thrill ride. In other words, we liked it.
2015 Audi S3 quattro S tronic base Price, $41,100. As tested, $47,045.
Glacier White Metallic paint, $550; Audi MMI Navigation plus Package, $2,600; 19-inch Performance Package, $1,500; Red brake calipers, $400; Destination fee, $895.

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