SedanAudi50% by Neofiliac Team77% by External Reviewers

Audi S3 (8Y)

Compact Sedan

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Product Overview

The 4th-gen Audi S3 is the high-performance version of the company's popular hatchback; to accommodate the preference of certain markets, it is also available in sedan form.

Drivetrain

Powered by an updated version of the 2.0 TFSI in the outgoing S3, the 4th-gen S3 has 310 PS of power (10 PS higher than before) and 400 Nm of torque at its disposal. The same seven-speed S tronic with lightning-fast gear shifts and freewheeling function and the quattro all-wheel drive deliver the torque to the road. The hydraulic multi-plate clutch in front of the rear axle is fully variable and moves between the front and the back as required, combining dynamic performance with stability and efficiency.

Design

The front of the new S3 is dominated by a larger hombus-patterned grille and impressive air inlets, while the housings of the exterior mirrors have a gleaming aluminum look. The shoulder of the body extends in a strong line from the headlights to the rear lights. The areas below are curved inward—a new element of Audi’s design that places a stronger emphasis on the wheel arches.

Technology

The computing power of the new modular infotainment platform (MIB 3) is ten times higher than that of its predecessor. It features LTE Advanced connectivity and has an integrated WiFi hotspot.
Another feature is the Audi connect key, which authorizes the customer to lock and unlock the car and start the engine via their Android smartphone.
Audi pre-sense front, swerve assist with turn assist, and lane departure warning are included as standard. Further assist systems, such as lane change and exit warnings as well as the cross-traffic and park assist systems, are available optionally.

Ratings

What we found

Neofiliac score 50%
Pros
  • Decent performance
  • Good 0.28 drag coefficient
Cons
  • Only available with small engines
  • Stuck with MacPherson struts in the front

What external reviewers found

External score 77%
Pros
  • Impressive performance and handling
  • Comfortable ride
  • Impressive mid-range performance
  • Fantastic infotainment system
  • Comfortable to drive
Cons
  • Lack of dynamic character
  • Not as comfortable as predecessor
  • Not the most fun to drive
  • Fiddly infotainment system
  • Mushy steering

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Specifications

External Reviews

autocar[1]

Reviewer score 78% (normalized by Neofiliac)
Reviewers from autocar have found:
Quattro system has been very lightly revised and those adaptive dampers are now based around a more traditional hydraulic set-up rather than the Magnetic Ride system that was employed by the last S3. This, Audi says, makes for handling that is “even more sporty and nimble” Excellent. It all seems to work rather nicely, too, because the S3 remains a car that’s incredibly easy to drive incredibly quickly.
Pros
  • Powerful engine
  • Impressive mid-range performance
  • Comfortable to drive
Cons
  • Quattro system isn’t quite as sporty as rivals
  • Lack of dynamic character

autoexpress[2]

Reviewer score 74% (normalized by Neofiliac)
Reviewers from autoexpress have found:
wheel drive, and power gets to the wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox with paddles on the steering wheel for driver input. The result is 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, while top speed remains electronically limited to 155mph. The S3 rides 15mm lower than the regular A3 on its standard passive suspension set-up, but high-spec cars such as the Edition One driven here are fitted with adaptive dampers.
Pros
  • Comfortable ride
  • Quattro all-wheel drive
Cons
  • No manual gearbox

carmagazine[3]

Reviewer score 81% (normalized by Neofiliac)
Reviewers from carmagazine have found:
It's mad to think this frankly bonkers performance is available in a family hatchback and represents the entry point to RS ownership. This car is barely 20bhp down on 2005's V8 powered RS4 and its fabulous engine offers way more intrigue than any of its 2.0-litre rivals. The appeal of all that shove and character combined with five doors, two Isofix points and the capacity to haul 335 to 1175 litres of luggage is undeniably strong.
Pros
  • Gorgeous looks
  • Fantastic infotainment system
  • Fun to drive
Cons
  • Pricier than rivals
  • Alternatives are more fun to drive

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References

  1. ^ Audi S3 Sportback 2020 review. [autocar].
  2. ^ New Audi S3 2020 review. [autoexpress].
  3. ^ Audi RS3 Sportback review. [carmagazine].

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