Quick Spin – Audi S3 sedan

The car: Audi S3 sedan

Price: From $62,200, plus on-road and dealer costs

Vitals: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol, 206kW, 380Nm, 6-sp dual-clutch auto, 6.9L/100km, AWD.

What is it?

The new Audi S3 Sportback with a boot. Having added the A3 sedan to its seemingly ever expanding range it’s no surprise Audi has added this range-topping sports model.

What is the difference between the S3 sedan and Sportback?

Despite the same name and similar look the hatch and sedan don’t share a single common body panel. Underneath, though, the pair are identical mechanically - same engine, gearbox and so on. The sedan can swallow more luggage (425 litres) than the Sportback (380L), although it doesn’t have the same loading flexibility due to the smaller opening. There is a significant difference in the price, too, with the sedan $2300 more than the hatch.

What does it say about me?

That you want a pocket rocket but you don’t want a hatch.

What colours does it come in?

You can take your pick from 11 different hues spread across four different effects - solid, metallic, pearl and crystal.

If it were a celebrity, who would it be?

Tom Cruise. A small, stylish, action hero.

Why would I buy it?

Because it delivers on both of its key promises - style and speed. The A3 sedan is already a well-proportioned, compact sedan and the S3’s larger alloy wheels and S line bodykit only add to its visual appeal.

It also remains true to Audi’s luxury car image with plenty of standard gear including satellite navigation, xenon headlights, 18-inch alloys, dual zone climate control, self-parking system, reversing camera and sensors, leather seats and keyless entry and ignition. And then it delivers hot hatch performance that matches its looks.

Does it cost too much?

With the $2300 price premium over the hatch, you’ve got to ask yourself how much the boot is worth to you. Audi has a tempting options pack - S Performance Package - that adds a further $4990 to the price. But it does include LED headlights, Bang & Olufsen sound system, 19-inch alloys and adjustable suspension.

Will I get a deal?

Some dealers are shaving a few thousand dollars off the S3 hatches; given the newness of the sedan the deals may take a while to kick in.

Will it get me noticed?

Not likely. Although the S3 sedan looks stylish it does so in an understated way. But for those in the know the finer details of the more aggressive bodykit, 25mm lower stance and S badges signify this car’s intent.

Any gadgets I can brag about?

The S3 relies on technology rather than traditional methods to deliver the soundtrack. The S3 has what Audi calls an “electro-mechanical sound actuator”, which is a fancy way of saying a flap in the exhaust system and a speaker hidden away behind the dashboard to enhance the sound. And while it may not be a genuine sound, the noise the S3 pumps out is excellent. There is a big growl from the little engine when you plant your right foot.

How’s the cabin ambience?

Modern, sophisticated and luxurious sum it up. The design has clean, simple lines and the materials, for the most part, look and feel quality. Our test car was fitted with the optional S Performance Package that adds S sports seats with diamond stitching on the leather, which only adds to the feeling of luxury.

What’s the stereo like?

Well we can’t speak for the standard system because our test car had the optional Bang & Olufsen stereo. The 14-speaker surround sound set-up includes a subwoofer in the boot, a 15-channel amplifier and 705 watts of power. So, unsurprisingly it sounds pretty good and makes the optional package pretty appealing.

Does it go?

Audi claims it can launch 0-100km/h in five  seconds and while we didn’t get the chance to put that claim to the test, it feels believable. There’s plenty of punch from the engine when you stand on the accelerator, especially as you come out of a corner.

Does it like corners?

The wheels of the A3 sedan are placed slightly differently to those in the hatch (left and right are 20mm further apart) and the S3 places them 6mm closer together (front to rear). It adds up to a car that feels very agile in the bends, especially compared to its larger sibling, the S4. There is a responsiveness to the S3 that makes it so engaging and enjoyable when you throw it at corners. And the Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres hang on admirably when you chuck it around. Basically, it looks like a sports sedan but drives like a hot hatch.

What about bumps?

That depends on how you have set up  the suspension, at least if you have the optional Audi magnetic ride (which we did). You can choose between various modes that stiffen the dampers up depending on the conditions. If you try leaving it Dynamic (rather than Comfort), the ride around town is very firm and will crash over bumps. In Comfort it is still firm but not uncomfortably so.

Would you buy one?

I actually prefer the style of the sedan over the S3 Sportback, so it would be my pick. I do also like the concept of a compact sports sedan, it’s something different from the plethora of hot hatches.

What else should I consider?

Well if you love everything about the S3 sedan but prefer a hatch, then the S3 Sportback is for you. But if you want something different there’s the Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Sport (from $64,900), which has the same compact sedan format but lacks the same driving dynamics. If you really want a turbocharged, all-wheel drive Mercedes then the CLA45 AMG is an option - and packs more punch than the S3 - but it could blow your budget (from $86,900).

If you’re willing to accept a hatch the BMW M135i (from $64,900) is well worth consideration.

Or if you really want a sedan and are prepared to forego the prestige badge, you could always look at the Subaru WRX STI Premium (from $54,990).

The Spin

“Combining the sporty proportions of the new A3 Sedan, with the performance credentials of the famous S3 model name, it promises to attract a new legion of admirers to the compact luxury sports sedan market.”

The Translation

We found a niche we’d missed and filled it.