A work of functional art that doesn’t disappoint
Obsessive build quality a gift that keeps on giving
I’m often asked what differentiates a Mercedes- Benz from a BMW from an Audi. And while each of these German automakers produce vehicles that seem to cover every genre and fill every possible niche, an answer isn’t that hard to come by. In a nutshell, Mercedes- Benz still leans toward traditional luxury, BMW offers a more organic, engaged driving experience, and Audi trades on cool technical precision, unassailable build quality and a design ethos that eschews frivolity for timeless chic.
Audi equals urban hipster. Not the kind with a manbun, a two- kilo beard and three-kilo glasses. They don’t drive. I’m thinking more an architect in a gunmetal grey suit, red shirt and low-profile European shoes. Just like this 2017 S3.
Yep, this little firecracker of a sports sedan, starting at $ 50,700, is all things Audi. The dash might look minimalistic on first blush, but its simple elegance and attention to detail are exemplary. Every surface, no matter how far away from where you hands should be, appears to have been vetted for scrutiny. And how cool is that 5.8- inch screen that rises out of the dash on start up?
Then you hit a twisty road and discover the S3’s impressive turn of speed; it’s a point- and- shoot slot car of the highest order. Select Dynamic from the Drive Select menu (stiffened suspension, quicker steering, quicker throttle and more aggressive transmission mapping) and it grips and goes, no questions asked. There is some turbo lag from the turbocharged EA888 2.0-litre four, now with 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque ( up from 292 and 280, respectively). But once beyond 3,500 rpm, the S3 bolts. This is a great engine, and unlike many turbocharged four-- pots, it delivers power right up to its redline.
With the tweaked-for-2017 Haldex AWD system, the S3 dismisses such things as, oh, corners, with an aloof neutrality. On a winding secondary road, the S3 is devastating, showing the classic Audi dynamic signature of limpetlike grip, aloof disdain for transitional forces and an unerring neutrality that transitions into gentle understeer when bits of your brain start flying out of your ear canal. Helping here is the $ 1,600 Advanced Handling Package, adding magnetic damping and 19-inch, five doublespoke wheels wearing Pirelli P Zero 235/ 35 performance tires.
The six-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission bangs off shifts with lighting speed, and full throttle upshifts are punctuated with delightful woofs from the exhaust. Response to paddle shifter inputs is immediate, too. I would ask for more steering feel, but the helm is surely accurate.
The S3 Technik expands on the base S3 Progressiv ($ 47,400) with navigation, MMI touchpad, blind- spot assist, rear- view camera, front and rear park assist, Bang and Olufsen audio, proximity key, and Audi’s uber- cool Virtual Cockpit. Yeah, you’re gonna want this. A 12.3- inch digital TFT display replaces the traditional central gauge cluster, and offers several configurations. The most impressive is the full- width navigation display with a small speedo and tachometer living in the lower corners.
Like any of these multilayered infotainment systems from the purveyors of premium automobiles, Audi’s MMI interface takes a bit of learning, but once under your belt it’s easy to navigate. The thumbwheels on the steering wheel prove effective for adjusting audio volume and scrolling through audio station listings. Technik models get the more advanced MMI Touch with Navigation Plus. The large central control knob on the console is topped with a touchpad that accepts hand written number and letter entries for navigation inputs. This tester also sported the $1,400 Technology Package that sprouts some radar and camera systems, enabling adaptive cruise control with full stop and active l ane assist and side assist that, respectively, nudge you back into your intended lane and warn of vehicles rapidly approaching in the blind spots. The Audi S3 sees a few visual tweaks for 2017, and those with a keen eye will spot its more angular grill, slimmer headlights and fresh LED tail lights. New standard equipment f or Canadian S3s include LED headlights, LED fog lights, illuminated tread plates, smartphone interface and auto stop- start. The Nano Grey Metallic hue ($ 800) is also new for 2017.
As a daily driver, the S3 is a fine all- rounder. In Comfort mode the ride remains firm but never intrusive, and on the highway it settles into a rock solid, relaxed cruise wherein you can enjoy the fine Bang and Olufsen audio system.
Back-seat room is just adequate for a couple of adults, and the trunk is decently sized, although the opening is small. Well, this is a compact car, after all. Ah, but so is the less expensive Golf R (starting at $40,695 with sixspeed manual) that shares the S3’s guts and MQB platform but comes in a more roomy hatchback configuration offering better back-seat room and double the cargo capacity.
As with all Audi products, the S3’s obsessive build quality is a gift that keeps on giving. This wee Audi never fails to give the impression of riding in a finely crafted work of functional art. A very quick work of functional art.