Super TestCar reviews - Audi - A3 - S3 3-dr hatchAudi modelsA3 1.8T 5-dr hatch 2.0 FSI 3-dr hatch 3-dr range Ambition Cabriolet range Cabriolet TFSI Range RS3 Sedan RS3 Sportback S3 3-dr hatch S3 Cabriolet S3 sedan S3 Sportback S3 Sportback 5-dr hatch S3 Sportback S-tronic 5-dr hatch Sedan sedan 1.8 TFSI Sportback 1.0 TFSI Sportback 1.8 TFSI Quattro Sportback 1.9 TDIe 5-dr hatch Sportback 3.2 5-dr hatch Sportback 5-dr hatch range Sportback e-tron Research Audi OverviewMuscular S3 stares down the BMW 130i and VW R32 Golf with new-found power and kit20 Jun 2007 By CHRIS HARRIS AUDI wants to build a reputation as a well-known prestige brand and the S3 typifies its approach. It is an expensive, lavishly equipped hot hatch. The price makes it an exclusive proposition, but that is exactly what Audi believes S3 customers want. Its closest competitors are the Volkswagen Golf R32, BMW 130i and Alfa Romeo 147 GTA – also pricey, boutique high-performance models that are expected to find only a few buyers. The new S3 is nearly $2000 cheaper than the outgoing model and is no longer the most expensive A3 - unlike the first-generation S3 (which was $20,000 more than the next model down, the A3 1.8T). The S3 is the same price as the A3 3.2 quattro S tronic. Model release date: 1 June 2007 to 1 April 2013 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen Previous modelThe first S3 arrived in December 1999 with a price of $69,990. From there the S3 fluctuated in price and specification. In 2000, the price dropped to $66,950. In 2002, it went up to $67,420. Initially launched with 154kW and 270Nm outputs, the MY2001 model upgrade included new clear glass headlights, new grille, soft-touch electric hatch release and interior revisions. In February 2002, the S3’s engine was upgraded to match the TT quattro’s 165kW /280Nm outputs. From then on, the first generation remained unchanged to the few last remaining examples sold in 2005. All S3s were fitted with a six-speed manual transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. |
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