MOTORNETNEWS  - ROAD  TEST  - JANUARY  2008

AUDI  S3 QUATTRO  HATCH

Super performance, great looks, delightful to drive but very expensive. The S3 has a brilliant engine and gearbox but the ride is very firm and gets tiring after an hour or so. Beautifully finished inside and out and comprehensively equipped this is a car for the enthusiast who has the money to indulge.

OUTSIDE:

With huge multi-spoke 18" alloy wheels filling the neatly flared guards, silver mirrors, low bumpers and very discreet body kit, the Audi S3 quattro certainly looks the part although the styling isn't so wild that it would attract the constabulary.

The dominant mesh grille and low air intake are flanked by projector headlights and inset driving lights. The door handles, side protective mouldings and subtle rear spoiler are all in body colour - in this instance a very RED red!

The non-insulated bonnet has gas struts and reveals an impressive engine bay layout with good access to everything. This is an engine layout you would be proud to show off. The three-door hatch body is shared with the normal A3 and the wide doors allow easy entry and egress from the cabin.

INSIDE:

The interior trim is in red and black leather with superb front sports seats that provide excellent lateral support but, without adjustable lumbar support, became slightly less comfortable after an hour or so at the wheel. The ability to tilt the squab would also have been good. The expanse of black trim did tend to leave a feeling of claustrophobia even though there is ample room for four. 

The instrumentation and dash layout are excellent as is the night lighting. Controls are simple and easy to use although the audio system seemed complicated at first but became quite user friendly as one got used to it. This was especially so on an interstate trip as the system located distant radio stations with ease and displayed those available on the LCD screen. The audio system gave very good performance.

The leather-wrapped steering wheel has a flat section at the bottom to allow a low position but was a bit disconcerting for a while. It has remote audio controls on it. The interior is highlighted by silver additions such as rims on the air vents, door handles and steering wheel, however, the right hand side one on the air vent reflected in the exterior mirror and was quite annoying when driving.

There are door bins, a small glove box and a cup holder but not a lot else in the way of storage areas. The rear seats seemed quite comfortable and there was enough leg and head room but getting in and out was relatively difficult for an adult. The handbrake lever is still positioned for left hand drive and was hard to use if the centre armrest was not folded out of the way.

LUGGAGE AREA:

The hatch section is very generous and the rear seats have a split-fold capacity if more space is needed. The spare wheel has a temporary use tyre. There is a cargo cover, two tie-down lugs and the tool kit is housed in neat plastic foam containers to eliminate rattles.  The fully trimmed hatch door has an interior recess for ease of closing.

ON THE ROAD:

This is where the S3 really shines. The 188kW, turbocharged, 2-litre engine is quite brilliant. It revs easily and is very responsive with no turbo lag noticeable. Add a slick-shifting 6-speed manual gearbox, positive steering and the excellent grip and cornering power of the famous Audi quattro all-wheel-drive system and the S3 becomes a wonderful driving experience.

The engine produces a lovely note when revved and the speed limit arrives very quickly as you slip through the gears yet the car is perfectly at home in peak hour traffic as the torquey power delivery allows it to be driven in 4th or 5th gear most of the time.

The ride is firm but not harsh but, on long stretches of country road it becomes quite tiring as the short wheelbase, low profile tyres and restricted spring movement follow every small indentation on the road. On smooth bitumen, especially if there are plenty of curves and bends, the S3 is delightful but broken surfaces and coarse chip roads do result in a noisy and  somewhat jiggly ride.

PRICE:            $65,500 plus on road costs - Test car fitted with Satellite Navigation and Sports Suspension options $76,900

STANDARD:    Dual front, head and front side airbags; ABS with Brake Assist System and Electronic Brake Distribution; air-conditioning; alarm system; 18" alloy wheels; cruise control; central remote locking; Electronic Differential Lock; Electronic Stability Program; driving/fog lights;  engine immobiliser; leather steering wheel; leather upholstery; parking distance control; power mirrors, steering & windows; sports front seats; 8-speaker sound system; Traction Control System; trip computer and Xenon headlamps.

OPTIONS:     Heated front seats $800; metallic paint $1,500; power sun roof $1,850; Satellite Navigation $ 5,300; Sports Suspension $6,100.