In this review…
The new Audi S3 Sportback has taken its next step in its evolution, but is it more style than substance?
Decades ago, the public’s perception of a fast hatchback was quite different to what it is today. They were more commonly used as cheap thrills rather than a reliable all-round machine, which is what made the category that the Audi S3 is found in so irresistible. It gave drivers a sizable engine and sharp handling for not much more than you’d pay for a less than desirable runaround.
The main issue with the “hot hatch” category back then was that the high insurance premiums killed the genre for its youthful target audience, but it opened the door for manufacturers to increase the scope of what a hot hatch could be. Right on cue, Audi swept in with a new premium hot hatch: the S3. It approached the performance hatch from a classier, more mature angle, and the new edition upgrades the car on all fronts. How good is it now? We look at the car from its body and drive to interior functionality to find out.
Outline & Drive
The initial concept behind the Audi S3 is simple: to take an upmarket interior and combine it with four-wheel drive and, most importantly, power. The brilliance of this combination car is that it’s wrapped up in the skin of an ordinarily sized family hatchback and married with the luxury and speed of a sports car.
The high-horsepower all-wheel-drive hot hatch market is a competitive one to find yourself in. Alongside the big players such as BMW and Mercedes-AMG, Audi’s latest S3 has some serious competition. The new Audi S3 represents everything that modern-day Audi does well, only distilled into a conveniently small yet potent package with the firepower to compete with the BMW M135i and Volkswagen Golf R. Assisted by the S1 supermini being taken off the market, the S3 is once again the most affordable route into Audi’s fashionable S and RS stables.
An Audi S3 lease doesn’t mean too much of a transition from the A3 mechanics. It uses the same platform, engine and gearbox as its predecessor. Under the hood, you will find a turbocharged 2.0-litre EA888 powerplant that has had 10bhp squeezed out of it to take things to 306bhp. While there is no manual option available, you do have access to 295 lb ft of torque.
Body & Interior
One thing about the new Audi S3 is that it certainly isn’t shy. Similarly styled to the aggressive A3, particularly in S Line trim, you’re treated to four exhaust tips that evokes a racing feel.
Where the S3 really shines is the little features found throughout the car. One being the slotted leading edge of the S3’s bonnet, which is meant to evoke the spirit of the 1984 Audi Sport Quattro. This is followed by beautiful honeycomb grilles and multiple flavours of screwed-on trim, all hallmarks of the entire A3 range.
With a spacious interior and lots of availability for adjusting seats and your steering wheel, it’s easy to get comfortable behind the wheel of an Audi S3. Despite the addition of the diamond-stitched sport seats as well as a flat-bottomed steering wheel and a few S3 logos placed around the interior, the S3 looks and feels very similar inside to any other A3. Unsurprisingly, visibility is identical to in the regular Audi A3 too, thanks to ample-sized windows that provide a clear view out.
The 10-inch central console infotainment system is well-displayed and comes with a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel or full-size 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit Plus system. Handy rear parking sensors are standard on all models, and for an extra cost, you can upgrade to front sensors and a reversing camera. With a sporty, gritty and modern feel, the new Audi S3 trumps the Mercedes A35 AMG and Volkswagen Golf R for interior quality.
Is the new Audi S3 Sportback a Good Option?
While the new Audi S3 has had some sweeping changes, what hasn’t changed is the ethos and concept. Since its original launch four generations ago, the world has caught up and now there’s a banquet of fast, expensive hot hatches to choose from. Nonetheless, the S3 is still a liveable swift small car that people aspire to own.
If you’re looking to get behind the wheel of this model with an Audi S3 lease, cars2buy has thousands of new Audi lease deals from a wide range of trusted leasing partners. Our transparent service allows you to have the best car lease deals in the UK at your fingertips. Browse our collection of car leasing deals today and you could be several steps closer to securing a brand-new Audi S3 today.
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