Just add ‘S’
Big price with big performance. A genuine sports car experience in a hot hatch package
All-weather grip and pace, subtly aggressive styling, build quality 
Skimpy equipment list, hefty price The S3 Sportback gains two doors and another clutch
By Daryl Lee
AUDI HAS THREE tiers for its products: ‘A’, ‘S’ and ‘RS’.
This would mean the S3 Sportback is the middle child but as there’s no RS model for the A3, means it’s the current top hatchback cat in the Volkswagen group line-up or at least until the 265bhp Golf R arrives in the first quarter of next year.
Just from looking at it, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s just a hopped-up A3 or heaven forbid, an extremely expensive Golf, though it does have the requisite drive-train and exterior styling to justify its price.
Key differences from the three-door S3, which has since been discontinued here, include the addition of two more doors and a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox over the previous S3’s six-speed manual.
Mechanically, the S3 Sportback has Audi’s ‘quattro’ all wheel-drive system and a 2.0-litre turbocharged motor providing 256bhp.
The S3 Sportback’s small size and big power is a potent combination: 0-100km/h takes 5.6 seconds and 330Nm of torque available from 2,500 to 5,000rpm means blasting past lesser vehicles is literally a breeze.
While its tends to understeer somewhat, grip on slightly sandy and wet surfaces proved indefatigable with its short wheelbase aiding agility nicely. The S3’s steering, while wonderfully direct, felt a little numb and its suspension controlled body roll nicely, though comfort was sacrificed as a result and tends to bounce over the bumps.
As for its inside, Audi has gained a reputation for having one of the best interiors, and it continues here with rock-solid build quality apparent throughout.
Interior highlights include the ‘S3’ branded gearlever, chunky flat-bottomed steering wheel and instrument cluster.
Its Bose speaker-equipped audio system is controlled through an archaic looking monochrome display head-unit, odd when even Volkswagen Golfs now have a touch-screen unit.
In general, we felt it was lacking somewhat in equipment and spartan. While carbon inlays, a sunroof and adaptive suspension are available, you’d have to fork out extra cash for it.
The S3 Sportback is properly rapid and well built, but it’s still a small hatchback and we feel most would baulk at its $158,000 price tag.
However, this is around the price of the now-discontinued Golf R32, and its upcoming challenger, the Golf R, is expected to be priced between $15-$20k above the GTI, putting it at around $150,000.
But, if you want to lay claim to having the fastest hatchback around and can’t wait for the Golf R, or simply love the four-ringed badge, you’ll find the S3 Sportback is right up to the task.
NEED TO KNOW
Audi S3 Sportback (A)
ENGINE 1,984cc, 16V, turbocharged, in-line 4
MAX POWER 256bhp at 6,000rpm
MAX TORQUE 330Nm at 2,500-5,000rpm
GEARBOX 6-speed semi-automatic
TOP SPEED 250km/h
0-100 KM/H 5.6 seconds
PRICE $158,000 with COE
WARRANTY 3 years / 100,000km
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