The poor old S3 has always seemed to live in the shadow of its more glamorous cousin, the so-cool-it-hurts TT. The spoilsports at Audi HQ even denied the S3 the full 225bhp of the TT at launch, limiting it to 210bhp, even though the running gear is near identical. Well, they couldn't have the ugly duckling see off the glamourous coupe, could they? But that was then and this is now as the revised S3 finally gets the full 225bhp, together with some useful chassis tweaks. Time to revisit this rather forgotten upmarket hot hatch.
It might have been around for a while but the S3 still looks rather appealing in an understated way, especially in the midnight blue of our test car. Ours also came with the optional 18-inch wheels which give it a visual lift; without them only aluminum door mirrors and subtle badges give clues to this car's potential. I suppose that's half the appeal.
If you've read any of our recent tests on Audis you'll know that this is usually the point at which we start banging on about grotty gearchanges, droning engines and over-servoed brakes. You can practically write an Audi piece to a ready-made template, just changing the model name as appropriate. Unfortunately for me I can't do that with this S3 because things have changed for the better. As Richard Meaden hinted when he drove the TT with Sportsline suspension (evo 040), Audi has sharpened up its act to the point where the cars, and particularly the chassis, are getting a lot better.
The S3 now has even firmer springs than before, but it seems better balanced front to rear than previous models which, together with tighter damper control, leads to sharper turn-in. All good news for the press-on driver, the only fly in the ointment being the weighty feel to the steering either side of centre. If they could get round to adding extra feel rather than weight to the helm, that would be the icing on the cake. Even the brakes feel relatively normal, with none of the irritating low-speed grabbiness for which Audi is notorious. The only potential problem is the relatively early onset of fade during serious abuse.
The next surprise is the S3's short gearing. The ratios are so tightly stacked that you'll need to grab third before you hit 60 and it takes another change into fourth to crest 80mph. So the 6.6sec 0-62 time tells only half the story. To maximise the available performance you'll have to make full use of the six close ratios on offer, although the jump from fifth to sixth is a lot wider. Well, the impressive 151mph top speed had to come from somewhere.
You'll be sitting comfortably in the S3 thanks to superb Recaro seats, similar to the ones in the wild RS4. Decent seats make so much difference to a car that it's a constant wonder more manufacturers don't follow suit. Add in the quattro four-wheel-drive system, the compact dimensions and the excellent visibility allowed by the upright body and you'll soon realise there aren't many quicker ways point-to-point this side of an Impreza STi. But the S3 is a lot more discreet than any Japanese rally weapon.
Of course much of this could apply to the TT, but I don't remember the coupe's steering being quite as sharp as this, nor do you enjoy the considerable stealth value of the more conservative A3 body, which adds to its appeal. The S3 is also £2000 cheaper, 45kg lighter and a fair bit more spacious than a TT.
If you're after discreet performance look no further than this car, which I'd choose over even the recently improved TT. For keen drivers, the revised S3 is currently the best car Audi makes.
Verdict: ****
Like: Looks; seats; much improved chassis
Dislike: Needs a bit more steering feel
Spec:
Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1781cc, 20V, turbo
Max power: 225bhp @ 5900rpm
Max torque: 206lb ft @ 2200rpm
0-60mph: 6.6sec
Top speed: 151mph
EVO Review - May 2002
Re: EVO Review - May 2002
Shame this was written pre-RS6 [img]images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
I do agree though.. I would have an S3 over a TT every time
Dave
I do agree though.. I would have an S3 over a TT every time
Dave
============================
Now waiting (again!): Misano RS4 B7 Saloon.
Now waiting (again!): Misano RS4 B7 Saloon.
Re: EVO Review - May 2002
Got one for the RS6, that I will post tonight [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
Re: EVO Review - May 2002
I had the pleasure of driving one of the new 225bhp ones at the weekend (pretended I was going to buy it for the G/F [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]).
Have to say I thought it was excellent, I always thought it to be the best handling Audi and it's even better now.
MTM chip and it's well sorted!
Have to say I thought it was excellent, I always thought it to be the best handling Audi and it's even better now.
MTM chip and it's well sorted!
Alan [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
B78 RS4 Avant
Porsche 996 GT3RS
Renault Megane R26R BDM 270bhp
B78 RS4 Avant
Porsche 996 GT3RS
Renault Megane R26R BDM 270bhp
Re: EVO Review - May 2002
Having driven the TT and S3 back to back - the S3 is the better drive. The suspension/ride seemed better sorted and when I got to a junction I always could see in the S3 (not so the TT).
The TT may have the style but in terms of point to point performance on normal roads I would have expected the S3 to get there quicker just because of its better visibility.
tjc
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S3 225 - Black - Stock
The TT may have the style but in terms of point to point performance on normal roads I would have expected the S3 to get there quicker just because of its better visibility.
tjc
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S3 225 - Black - Stock
S3 225 - Black
Re: EVO Review - May 2002
S3 is better than the TT anyday [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]


- johneroberts
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Re: EVO Review - May 2002
S3 is better than the TT anyday [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]
Ahem.... agreed [img]images/graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
Cheers
jr

Driving is believing
RS246 Founder
Re: EVO Review - May 2002
[img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/biggrin3.gif[/img]
RS4 is even better though [img]images/graemlins/colours.gif[/img]
RS4 is even better though [img]images/graemlins/colours.gif[/img]


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