Tameable aggression in a compact package

To be offered a performance car for a test drive in Dubai or any of the other Emirates nearby is both exciting and dull at the same time. Exciting because of obvious reasons, but dull because of the prospect of facing only arrow-straight roads and sand dunes on either side for the scenery.

But once the car arrives and the key is handed over, the reaction usually turns to “so what”. Exactly the expression that was swirling around my head when the ‘Tango Metallic Red’ Audi S3 rolled into view from the hotel parking lot. The S3 is the less mad, more urbane performance sibling of the A3. Its design is not markedly different or aggressive compared to the A3. But, in its red livery shining under the bright Dubai sun, the S3 definitely looked more appealing. And the spec-sheet for this model, tuned for the Dubai market, talked of a 0-100 kmph time of 4.6 seconds; that was enough to keep the adrenaline flowing.

The S3 looks and sounds like it’s almost track ready. It’s capable, but not as much as the RS3, which is really the one that will leave you white-knuckled on a race track. The S3 is meant to offer a sporty, but also genteel driving feel for customers looking for more excitement than the A3. The S3 is offered in five body styles — three door, five door sportback, regular four-door saloon and as a convertible. The version I was testing in Dubai last week was the saloon — the most likely to make it to India, if and when Audi decides to bring it here. Then again with the surprising sales numbers of the A3 Cabriolet, who knows Audi may bring in the S3 Cab too. In terms of exterior design, it almost seems like it would be difficult to identify the difference between a top-spec S-Line trim of the A3 and the S3. There are quite a few badges that identify it as the S3, there are also those matte aluminium door mirrors and then the quad tail-pipes at the rear. The basic A3 design is, of course, quite likeable as it is. In fact, it is one of my favourites for its perfect size considering Indian conditions and its one-segment-above on-road character. From the front, the S3’s only difference seems to be the more aggressive bits on the front fender. Sharply creased waistline, a signature Audi feature for their saloons gets nicely highlighted under the Dubai sun.

The cabin is a clear upgrade compared to the stock A3; and there are a number of sporty elements that offer a special ambience to the S3’s interior. Though it has a very European feel with its all-black interior, contrast elements in red brighten up the space. The red ringed aircon vents, the red double-stitched nappa leather seats, flat-bottomed steering wheel and the drilled metal pedals come together to boost the cabin’s sporty feel. The dashboard layout is simple and elegant, and it is just lightly tilted to highlight the driver focus for the cabin. Some of the features you see in these cabin pictures are optional additions.

The seats in my test mule were nicely bolstered and offer adequate adjustment options to get the right driving position. Matte brushed aluminium inlays in the cabin are also a nice touch. The panoramic glass roof, of course, remained unopened. The other two features that came standard in the test mule were the Audi Virtual Cockpit and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. The virtual cockpit replaces the regular instrument cluster behind the wheel with a flush-mounted digital screen. This feature opens up the possibility of using the screen for multiple displays including an addictive 3D real-time map feature (not yet available in India) or a customizable, sporty instrument display. The virtual cockpit is currently available in the top-trim A4.

The S3 that I was testing featured the same turbocharged two-litre engine that it is offered with in many markets, but in different states of tune. The S3 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic (its full nomenclature) features a 1,984 cc, four-cylinder, direct-injection engine. In other markets, the S3 with this mill is paired with a manual gearbox, but the test mule I drove sported Audi’s S tronic dual clutch automatic transmission, with the convenience of steering mounted paddles for manual gear selection.

The engine produces a peak power of 290 hp between 5,500 and 6,500 rpm, and a peak torque of 400 Nm between 2,000 and 5,400 rpm. Interesting to read that peak power kicks just after torque starts to plateau. On the road though, the S3 feels quicker than I had expected and it has a great engine note too that kept me riveted. The engine is extremely rev-happy and goes all the way up to about 7,000 rpm without any protest. To describe this powertrain as lively would be an understatement, but to call this S3 anything else may also be pushing it.

Aside from the fact that it is not meant to offer the level of driver engagement that something like an RS can, one of the reasons why the S3 may not blow your mind, is because of the way it has all been programmed to come together when you are behind the wheel. There is Audi’s proprietary ‘quattro’ all-wheel drive tech to intervene and guide the powertrain’s torque output to the wheels. On the road. though, the S3 benefits from great grip and delivers sure-footedness. The overall impression is that its performance is measured and predictable — a perfectly appealing trait if you are not expecting to get harried on the track. Can’t comment about the suspension after driving it on smooth tarmac, but I would have liked a heavier steering. The S3 is for gentlemen drivers looking for their everyday dose of not-too-loud, measured fun. Hope Audi will bring it to our shores quickly and fill one more gap in its portfolio.

COMMENT NOW