By Ian Strachan.
There are plenty of examples on the road of cars that look as if they should be on a race track, but fall down badly when it comes to performance. All mouth and spoilers.
The Audi S3 Sportback is most certainly not one of those. This is a wolf in wolf’s clothing. While not outrageously pimped up like some of its rivals, within this car is a growling beast.
My Black Edition test car came in a conservative Glacier White. Only the lovely anthracite diamond cut 19-inch alloys with ultra low profile tyres, the black grille and styling kit and the four huge sports exhaust outlets give you clues to the sizzling performance of this powerful car.
Beneath the bonnet sits a 245 horsepower 2.0 litre four-cylinder power plant which will take you from 0-60 mph in around 4.5 seconds, with a governed top speed of 155 mph. Only when you start it up and feel the throb of power do you realise what you’re dealing with. A very quick car.
It’s also an expensive car. But you get pretty well every extra you can think of as well as stonking performance. And despite its sporty credentials you get decent loadspace and interior room.
Don’t expect frugality from this car. You’ll get just over 33.5 miles to the gallon if you’re careful. Plus its quattro all-wheel-drive set up which gives you confident and predictable handling inevitable has a bit of a fuel consumption penalty.
Married to an ultra smooth seven-speed automatic gearbox this power plant gives exhilarating acceleration when you want it, but is also capable of giving a smooth and sedate ride on long journeys.
Ride and handling are both refined and composed, with sure-footed cornering, even at speed. The permanent four wheel drive set-up means confident handling and superb grip in all weathers.
Inside, the S3 is roomy, stylish and comfortable. The leather embossed seats – electrically adjustable – are nicely trimmed and very comfortable. Controls are well laid out and clear, with a central 10.1 inch touchscreen which shows satnav, radio and climate control settings.
Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, an impressive Sonos premium sound system, head-up display, parking assistance pack, 360-degree cameras, front and rear parking aids, head-up display, heated seats, three-zone climate control, electrically operated and heated door mirrors, gear-shift paddles, light and rain sensors, leather trimmed multi-function steering wheel and ambient lighting.
The on-the-road price of this car is £52,490 plus £595 for metallic paint. That might sound expensive, but you’re getting a car with scintillating performance which will hold its value well.
