S3 review: gorgeous with a turbo lag

Harry Plopper · 09-10-2006, 07:05 AM

Audi S3

By Andrew Frankel of The Sunday Times
But you were perfect as you were...

Sometimes, and for no immediately apparent reason, I’ll drive a car that adds up to considerably more than the sum of its rather modest parts. Now and again a car comes together in such happy harmony that it leaves you with the impression that it’s rather better than its makers intended. Such a car is the Audi S3. I’ll remember my hours behind its wheel for the rest of my life, not because it was super-fast or did things other cars can’t do, but simply because it just felt beautifully, naturally, almost ineffably right.

Sadly for me, that drive took place more than seven years ago in the original S3. My time in its replacement was rather less edifying. On sale in Britain in the new year with prices starting at £26,995, it shows that Audi, while seeming to know all there is about how to make a car look right, still has something to learn about how to make them go properly too.

The clean and purposeful shape of the A3 hatch has been subtly yet powerfully improved by a big chin spoiler, gorgeous 18in alloy wheels, a small roof spoiler and a rear valence. Inside, the already class-leading A3 interior has been enhanced by an aluminium-effect finish to the pedals, gearlever and air vents. So far, so good.

Problems start to mount when you look beneath this veneer of sophistication. When choosing which engine should power the S3.
I just presumed they’d use the 3.2 litre V6 in the A3 as that already produced 250bhp before they started tinkering with it. Not so. In fact they plumped for a 2 litre four-cylinder motor that derives its 265bhp from being turbocharged to within an inch of its life.
What this means is that while the S3 goes like hell — 0-62mph in 5.7sec — the quality of that performance is nothing like as endearing. The car suffers from turbo lag, which often means there is a considerable pause between your right foot requesting a gob of power to squirt past a long lorry and it actually arriving. In that time a less powerful but normally aspirated car such as the A3 3.2 quattro would already be on its way.

...

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Yannis · 09-10-2006, 08:54 AM

THE OPPOSITION
Model Volkswagen Golf R32 £24,240
For Sweet V6 engine can be both fun and refined
Against Quite thirsty if you push it, needs a bit more punch

Model BMW 130i SE £24,770
For Strong engine offers good performance and economy
Against Price, looks, not much fun to drive

So it's still the best car in the segment.

Mirage77 · 09-10-2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yannis

THE OPPOSITION
Model Volkswagen Golf R32 £24,240
For Sweet V6 engine can be both fun and refined
Against Quite thirsty if you push it, needs a bit more punch

Model BMW 130i SE £24,770
For Strong engine offers good performance and economy
Against Price, looks, not much fun to drive

So it's still the best car in the segment.

How did you come to that conclusion? The writer offers no conclusive statement, but he did say that he'd take a R32 over the S3.

I think this is what I expected of the S3. It didn't sound right having a 2.0 I4 turbocharged to that level when I first heard of it, so I wasn't expecting a glorious review. Nevertheless, this is a 'pocket rocket' - still, it's tough competition out there and there are many more rockets I'd rather take.

Snake Vargas · 09-10-2006, 12:21 PM

Channel 4 had a review as well, I think. It was also by Andrew Frankel.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Car

In the end, while I admire the look of the S3 and its raw performance, the car as a whole feels like an A3 that's been pushed harder than it cares to go. Most of its problems would be solved by a less raucous engine with a gentler delivery and a wider powerband, and I still struggle to understand why Audi, with just such an engine already in an A3 in the form of its 250bhp 3.2-litre V6 motor, elected to use a 2.0-litre four instead. Audi says it keeps the car light and it's what old S3 owners wanted, but to me the problems it brings far outweigh any potential benefit.

So despite its great looks, I'm going to pass. Were I in this market not only would the S3 fail to get my business but so too would what Audi claims are its most immediate rivals, the BMW 130i and Mercedes-Benz C350 Sports Coupe. Instead I'd walk straight past their doors and into the local VW dealer where I'd buy a car with not only the same chassis, with the same four-wheel drive system as the S3, but also what recent experience suggests is a better blend of ride and handling. And it has the very same 3.2-litre V6 that the S3 is crying out for. It would be a little slower for sure, but I'd enjoy driving it fast much more. It's called the Golf R32 and, best of all, it costs £2755 less than the S3 and is available with a DSG gearbox. In this class and for this money, its case looks unanswerable.

Yes, he reaches the same conclusion I do.

Yannis · 09-10-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake Vargas

Yes, he reaches the same conclusion I do.

Even then S3 remains better than 130i and C350 according to him.

As for Turbo lag i have doubts if there is any , maybe he is talking about very low RPM like 1,500 or something where all engines are a bit slow to react to acceleration.

Matt · 09-10-2006, 03:39 PM

Of course there is going to be turbo lag..... Its 265 horse power out of a 2.o litre... That of course can only be achieved at very high RPMs with such a low displacement engine-plus its a single turbo.

And BTW the 135 turbo will be more of a competition for the S3, oh yea and VW is coming out with in R36 as well.

martinbo · 09-12-2006, 04:22 PM

Oh for pete's sake. So the car has turbo lag. Big deal.

I pretty much expect turbo lag on a performance-tuned turbocharged car with a few very specific exceptions (the 911 Turbo being one of them).

Put it simply this way, a turbocharged S3 driven in the spirit it was intended (not like some brain dead doofus mentality of planting the throttle at 2000 rpm in 6th) with positively stomp all over its current opposition - R32 included. This guy's a nancy. What was he expecting? The handling and weight distribution gains in themselves are reason enough to view the package as superior to that of the V6. And what? Since driving the old 1.8T S3 of old doesn't he recall the marked turbo lag from back then? I certainly do.

Turbocharged cars are an acquired taste in themselves but spend enough quality time behind the wheel of cars of this ilk and, if you've any petrolhead in you, you'll come to appreciate and understand the appeal of boost. Some folks just won't bond with an STi or an EVO for that matter - and I can't possibly understand why they wouldn't.

I expect the S3 to be every bit the intoxicating, highly strung drive that its on paper statistics suggest.

Snake Vargas · 09-15-2006, 01:55 PM

I suppose I'm not really that cut out for a highly strung motoring experience. I like something that can be everything to me - a performance car, a bit of a luxury car, a useable car. It can provide excitement and relaxation. To that end, I might like NA better. Admittedly the only turbo experience I've had is at the hands of a VAG 2.0TDI engine, but it wasn't the most responsive off the line.

Nevertheless, high pressure turbos and high revving screamers (a la Civic Type-R) aren't my cup of tea. All respect to Martin and those who like 'em, of course!

09-10-2006, 07:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
Harry Plopper Oinky Wizard Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,775 My Mood: Thanks: 76 Thanked 921 Times in 479 Posts	S3 review: gorgeous with a turbo lag Audi S3 By Andrew Frankel of The Sunday Times But you were perfect as you were... Sometimes, and for no immediately apparent reason, I’ll drive a car that adds up to considerably more than the sum of its rather modest parts. Now and again a car comes together in such happy harmony that it leaves you with the impression that it’s rather better than its makers intended. Such a car is the Audi S3. I’ll remember my hours behind its wheel for the rest of my life, not because it was super-fast or did things other cars can’t do, but simply because it just felt beautifully, naturally, almost ineffably right. Sadly for me, that drive took place more than seven years ago in the original S3. My time in its replacement was rather less edifying. On sale in Britain in the new year with prices starting at £26,995, it shows that Audi, while seeming to know all there is about how to make a car look right, still has something to learn about how to make them go properly too. The clean and purposeful shape of the A3 hatch has been subtly yet powerfully improved by a big chin spoiler, gorgeous 18in alloy wheels, a small roof spoiler and a rear valence. Inside, the already class-leading A3 interior has been enhanced by an aluminium-effect finish to the pedals, gearlever and air vents. So far, so good. Problems start to mount when you look beneath this veneer of sophistication. When choosing which engine should power the S3. I just presumed they’d use the 3.2 litre V6 in the A3 as that already produced 250bhp before they started tinkering with it. Not so. In fact they plumped for a 2 litre four-cylinder motor that derives its 265bhp from being turbocharged to within an inch of its life. What this means is that while the S3 goes like hell — 0-62mph in 5.7sec — the quality of that performance is nothing like as endearing. The car suffers from turbo lag, which often means there is a considerable pause between your right foot requesting a gob of power to squirt past a long lorry and it actually arriving. In that time a less powerful but normally aspirated car such as the A3 3.2 quattro would already be on its way. ... Complete article - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

09-10-2006, 08:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
Yannis Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 7,198 My Mood: Thanks: 1,243 Thanked 1,231 Times in 703 Posts	Re: S3 review: gorgeous with a turbo lag THE OPPOSITION Model Volkswagen Golf R32 £24,240 For Sweet V6 engine can be both fun and refined Against Quite thirsty if you push it, needs a bit more punch Model BMW 130i SE £24,770 For Strong engine offers good performance and economy Against Price, looks, not much fun to drive So it's still the best car in the segment.

09-10-2006, 03:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Matt Devotee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,882 Thanks: 210 Thanked 130 Times in 88 Posts	Re: S3 review: gorgeous with a turbo lag Of course there is going to be turbo lag..... Its 265 horse power out of a 2.o litre... That of course can only be achieved at very high RPMs with such a low displacement engine-plus its a single turbo. And BTW the 135 turbo will be more of a competition for the S3, oh yea and VW is coming out with in R36 as well.

09-12-2006, 04:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
martinbo Fanatic Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Johannesburg Posts: 1,250 Thanks: 136 Thanked 202 Times in 114 Posts	Re: S3 review: gorgeous with a turbo lag Oh for pete's sake. So the car has turbo lag. Big deal. I pretty much expect turbo lag on a performance-tuned turbocharged car with a few very specific exceptions (the 911 Turbo being one of them). Put it simply this way, a turbocharged S3 driven in the spirit it was intended (not like some brain dead doofus mentality of planting the throttle at 2000 rpm in 6th) with positively stomp all over its current opposition - R32 included. This guy's a nancy. What was he expecting? The handling and weight distribution gains in themselves are reason enough to view the package as superior to that of the V6. And what? Since driving the old 1.8T S3 of old doesn't he recall the marked turbo lag from back then? I certainly do. Turbocharged cars are an acquired taste in themselves but spend enough quality time behind the wheel of cars of this ilk and, if you've any petrolhead in you, you'll come to appreciate and understand the appeal of boost. Some folks just won't bond with an STi or an EVO for that matter - and I can't possibly understand why they wouldn't. I expect the S3 to be every bit the intoxicating, highly strung drive that its on paper statistics suggest.

09-15-2006, 01:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
Snake Vargas Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 1,201 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: S3 review: gorgeous with a turbo lag I suppose I'm not really that cut out for a highly strung motoring experience. I like something that can be everything to me - a performance car, a bit of a luxury car, a useable car. It can provide excitement and relaxation. To that end, I might like NA better. Admittedly the only turbo experience I've had is at the hands of a VAG 2.0TDI engine, but it wasn't the most responsive off the line. Nevertheless, high pressure turbos and high revving screamers (a la Civic Type-R) aren't my cup of tea. All respect to Martin and those who like 'em, of course!

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