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Matt Brogan13 Dec 2013
REVIEW

Audi S3 Sportback 2014 Review

Audi takes the prestige hot hatch fight to BMW and Mercedes-Benz with its cracking new S3 Sportback

Audi S3 Sportback

Launch Review
Hobart, Tasmania


Audi says its new S3 Sportback offers best-in-class performance. With 206kW and 380Nm, quattro all-wheel drive and a quick-shifting six-speed S tronic transmission, we’re inclined to agree. The sprint to 100km/h takes only five seconds and its top speed is electronically governed at 250km/h. At $59,990 plus on-road costs, the new S3 is sure to prove a prestige hot hatch hit.

Audi has released its muscular S3 Sportback in Australia just in time for Christmas. The primo hot hatch has been on sale in Europe since April 2013 and is, to date, the quickest model of the current A3 crop.

It will be joined by a sedan variant in April next year and an even hotter RS 3 variant in 2015.

Like its brethren, the five-door S3 Sportback is built on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB modular chassis architecture, the same found underpinning the new Volkswagen Golf and Škoda Octavia.

In the case of the S3 Sportback, that platform plays host to a scintillating 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch transmissions, and an electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch-based all-wheel drive system.

The force-fed mill’s redline is bolstered to 6800rpm thanks to a dual fuel-injection arrangement, variable valve timing and a twin-scroll turbocharger. All told, it develops 206kW from 5100-6500rpm (+33kW) and 380Nm from 1800–5100rpm (+50Nm).

The power figure is actually 15kW less than that specified for European variants due to Australia’s classification as a ‘hot climate’ by Audi AG. It’s a similar classification applied to the UAE, South Africa and Spain, among others.

And while the engine does feature the same bore and stroke (82.5 x 92.8mm) and displacement (1984cc) as its predecessor, it is now lighter (-5kg), more powerful (+18kW/+30Nm) and more thermally efficient. It’s also tilted further rearward (-11°) to improve weight distribution -- the 1425kg steel and aluminium body favouring the front by a percentage ratio of 59:41.

Audi says the S3 Sportback will sprint to 100km/h in five seconds flat when fitted with its S tronic transmission, but is four-tenths slower should you prefer a DIY gearbox. It’s only one-tenth slower in either guise than the 221kW version sold in Europe.

And, as in Europe, both manual and ‘auto’ S3 Sportback variants feature an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.

In spite of the increase in performance, the S3 Sportback’s fuel economy and CO2 averages remain competitive: For manual models that’s 7.0L/100km and 162g/km, and for the ‘auto’ 6.9 and 159.

Keeping the S3 Sportback tyre-side-down is lower ‘S’ sport suspension (-25mm), a longer wheelbase (+58mm), 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 225/40-series rubber, and a revised electro-mechanical steering system that Audi says contributes “significantly to sporty handling”.



Audi’s multi-mode drive select system is standard on the S3 Sportback and alters the characteristics of the throttle map, transmission shift points and steering ratio to suit the driver’s preference. The dampers are also altered when Audi’s magnetic ride system is optioned as part of the S performance package (see below).

Braking duties fall to discs all-round. Up front these measure 340mm and are grabbed by black-painted four-pot callipers bearing the ‘S’ logo. If these don’t suit your tastes, Audi will paint them red for you for a small fee.

Priced from $59,990 plus on-road costs, the S3 Sportback isn’t what you’d call cheap, but it does offer a very high standard of materials and exceptional build quality for your coin.

For those reasons, it’s most likely to be cross-shopped against the more powerful yet dearer BMW M135i (from $64,900 plus ORCs) and the more powerful but even dearer Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG (from $74,900 plus ORCs).

The S3 Sportback offers a liberal level of standard equipment which includes an 11.0-inch ‘floating’ infotainment monitor, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED tail-lights, Audi’s MMI Navigation plus system with MMI touch, parking system plus with front and rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera.

The S3 Sportback also sports 18-inch alloy wheels in a five parallel-spoke design, an S-specific body kit, S exhaust with quad tailpipes and S sport suspension.

The interior is equally athletic with sports seats in fine Nappa leather featuring electric front seat adjustment and heating. A leather-wrapped multi-function flat-bottom steering wheel provides access to the Audi Music Interface with Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming. A convenience key and dual-zone climate-control are also included as standard.

Optionally, the new S3 Sportback can be fitted with the S performance package for $4990. It adds LED headlights, a Bang & Olufsen audio system, Audi magnetic ride (adaptive damping), S sports seats in fine Nappa leather with diamond stitching, 18-inch alloy wheels in a parallel-spoke ‘star’ design and red brake callipers.

A driver assistance package, which adds adaptive cruise control, Audi lane assist, Audi pre sense, Audi side assist and high-beam assist, is further available for $1800. Metallic paint attracts a $1050 surcharge.

But it’s on the road where the S3 Sportback’s value equation perhaps makes the most sense. It’s a liveable sports hatch with a prestige tilt that will be an easy decision to justify for those shopping the segment.

The engine pulls freely from very low in the rev range, delivering its torque across a wide and accessible band, and is aided greatly by a quick-acting and well-geared S tronic transmission.

The engine note and ‘sound actuator’ exhaust combine to offer a cheeky deep resonance under load, capped by a quick pop as the transmission snicks through gears. It’s not quite in the same league as Merc’s dramatic A 45 AMG, but it will suit a wider range of buyers, dare we say those less ‘boy racer’...

Power is delivered to the ground effectively by Audi’s adhesive quattro all-wheel drive system. At the press launch the weather threw everything it could at the S3 with not even sleet or a bit of snow unsettling the model’s tenacious hold on the tarmac.

There was no intervention of the stability control system in the S tronic-equipped model which proved exceptionally grippy. However, the manual model’s altered gearing and slightly delayed throttle response at lower engine speeds did see a very slight touch of understeer come in to play when pushed a little hard. In short, and like many all-wheel drive systems, you do need a few revs on board for the system to be effective.

The suspension characteristics of the S3 Sportback’s lowered MacPherson strut/four-link arrangement are such that the model can feel a little brusque on its standard set-up. And there is a little tyre noise present on coarser surfaces too.

The adaptive dampers help to quell the intrusion of sudden surface changes more quickly, and with greater flexibility through a variety of settings are better able to suit altering road conditions and driver preferences. Just make sure you choose the right one for the job, or leave it in ‘auto’ if you’re unsure. In dynamic mode and in wet conditions, it can get a little ‘nosey’.

Adaptive damping is available as part of the aforementioned S performance pack, which adds a few other trinkets into the deal. If, however, you’d like to keep your electric seats, and like the idea of trimming the suspension to suit your mood, it can be optioned individually for $1650.

The steering, while well-weighted and quick of ratio, is a little vague of feedback, and ultimately feels a little artificial in its firmest (read: sportiest) setting. Were Audi able to introduce a little more communication through the tiller, we reckon the S3 Sportback would just about be the perfect prestige sports hatch.

Though perhaps it already is. Remember, this is a vehicle very nearly as quick (we’re talking tenths of a second) as its dearer rivals. It offers just as much equipment, arguably more space and a look more likely to appeal to a greater range of buyers. Plus you can drive it to the shops with virtually no stress, and without raising an eyebrow from the local constabulary -- try doing that in an A 45!

Audi says it plans to sell just north of 300 S3 Sportbacks Down Under in 2014, but we think it’s wrong. With a car as convincing and capable as this, we reckon the order book will fill up in no time.  

Audi S3 Sportback price and spec:
Price: $59,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 206kW/380Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual / six-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 7.0L/100km (man.) / 6.9L/100km (auto.)
CO2: 162g/km (man.) / 159g/km (auto.)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

What we liked: Not so much:
>> Rich, resonate exhaust note >> Steering lacks feedback
>> Cultured look and feel >> Brusque ride quality
>> Fiery acceleration >> Some tyre noise

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Written byMatt Brogan
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