Audi A3 Hatchback S3 3dr

ON THE ROAD

Performance
The S3's 261bhp 2.0-litre engine feels a little hesitant at low revs, but it delivers a formidable shove in the back when the turbo wakes up and relentless acceleration thereafter. Hike up the revs, drop the clutch and the S3 will sprint from 0 to 62mph in just 5.7 seconds - almost half a second quicker than its main rival, the BMW 130i.

Ride & handling
Traction is hard to fault, thanks to a four-wheel-drive system that shuffles power between the front and rear wheel as needed, while the S3's lowered and stiffened sports suspension provides excellent body control. Unfortunately, overly light steering and an uncompromising ride that jostles occupants in their seats let the side down.

Refinement
The turbocharged engine emits a suitably sporty rasp if worked hard, but it's rather boomy when cruising at motorway speeds, so long journeys can be tiring. As in lesser A3s, there's little wind noise at the national limit, but some road noise does find its way into the cabin

OWNERSHIP

Buying & owning
There's no getting away from it: the S3 is a very pricey hot hatch. Some rivals offering similar performance - but a less prestigious badge - undercut it by over £7000. Average fuel consumption of 31.0mpg and a group 18 insurance rating are par for the course, but residuals aren't as strong as you might expect for an Audi.

Quality & reliability
Audi cabins have a reputation for quality, and the S3 doesn't appear to let the side down. Everything you touch feels built to last, and it's beautifully finished, mixing dense soft-touch plastics with a generous helping of metallic trim. Audi's reliability record is less impressive, but the standard A3 has a good customer satisfaction rating.

Safety & security
The list of standard safety kit includes twin front, side and curtain airbags, anti-whiplash front head restraints and stability control. Security provisions are equally comprehensive, with deadlocks, an alarm, a secure stereo and plenty of marked parts.

IN THE CABIN

Behind the wheel
As in all A3s, the steering wheel moves for both height and reach, and the S3's heavily bolstered sports seats offer a wide range of adjustment, so it's easy to find a comfortable driving position. The controls for the stereo and heater are mostly logical, too, although the display can be a little tricky to read at night when everything is lit in the same red hue.

Space & practicality
The S3 offers front-seat occupants plenty of leg- and headroom, but anyone over 6ft tall will want to avoid the rear seats on a long journey. The boot is well shaped and a decent size, but practicality could be better because you're left with a stepped platform when you flip the back seats forward. The S3 only comes in three-door form.

Equipment
Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, part-leather upholstery, climate control, and an MP3-compatible CD player, but luxuries such as parking sensors, electric seat adjustment and a CD multichanger cost extra. That's disappointing given the S3's hefty price tag

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