Audi S3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Quattro S Tronic Review: Grip and Go

What we like:

Fast

easy to pilot family runabout with a hugely capable drivetrain. Comfortable and yet sporty when occasion calls.

What we dislike:

We prefer the hatch version for added practicality. Wait for the RS3

if excitement is what you’re looking for.

Stepping into the 4th generation Audi S3, I couldn’t help but reminisce about its 1st generation predecessor – the genesis of the ‘premium sports-compact’ class. Its formula then, which has shown success in the decades that have since passed, has become commonplace amongst the main competing manufacturers. It was 20 years ago when Audi’s engineers first christened its plush A3 compact with a turbo-charged 2-litre engine and renowned Quattro 4-wheel drive system, stiffened up and lowered its suspension and peppered it with figure hugging sports seats to give rise to a sporty but yet civilised sports hatch. From its launch in 1999, where it existed in hatch-only form, till 2013 when the S3 sedan debuted, some might consider it having gone without much competition till the arrival of the similarly themed Mercedes-Benz A35 AMG Sedan. Expectations I’d say are relatively high – but does the new Audi S3 live up to its heritage?

With the 4th generation A3 sedan having plied our local roads for a good part of half a year by now, its sleek silhouette should be a familiar shape to many. The S3 however, presents a more muscular stance. On the front, what’s most noticeable would be its signature-gaping front grille, which has been chromed for greater presence, and the 3 flat slits which sit between the grille and the bonnet – a nod to the Ur Quattro of the 1980s. Its matrix-LED and daytime running lights set up gives the S3 a commanding presence on the road, whether it be on the mundane daily commute or on more spirited backroad drives.

At the rear, a subtle lip spoiler coupled with signature Audi S quad tailpipes signal its athletic ability. Our highly specced test car came with optional 19-inch diamond turned alloys and red-painted brake calipers. Barring the over-application of faux air-intakes, the S3 sticks to its theme, and manages to tread a fine balance between ‘sporty' and ‘elegance’.

If one were to squint hard enough, traces of Lamborghini Urus could be found in its cabin. Not that this is a bad thing per se, and although most of it is standard-Audi A3, except for its flat-bottomed steering wheel and Nappa leather clad sports seats (which are supremely comfortable by the way), mimicry should not be considered a crime, especially if it serves to elevate modernity in what was slowly becoming a dated design found in the previous generation car.

The S3 is best suited for ferrying duties for children or adults in slightly smaller stature – with its sloping rear roofline and darkly shaded headliner, its hind quarters might feel a little claustrophobic, especially for those who tower above 1.8m. Boot space is decent for its class at 325 litres and knockdown rear seats in the sedan serve to increase its practicality. Given a choice however, we would pick the hatch over the sedan for added flexibility in ferrying larger or longer items around.

The S3 shares its MQB Evo base, as well as its 2.0-litre EA888 turbocharged engine with its Golf GTI, R and Cupra Leon cousins. Unsurprisingly, it performs rather similarly to its relatives. Potent and robust, the block definitely feels like it has been turned to be a more matured version of itself when compared to its Volkswagen and Seat cousins. With 306 bhp and 400 Nm of torque on tap, and a drivetrain linked to Audi’s S-Tronic dual clutch gearbox for lightning quick shifts, it’s safe to say there was no on-road situation that the S3 couldn’t handle.

It turns in sharply, as you’d expect, and tackles bends with confidence inspiring, sure-footedness as power is seamlessly applied or backed off through its electronically controlled Quattro all-wheel drive system. Not that we’d notice, but its electro-hydraulic multi-plate clutch has been updated and lightened by 1kg – a good attempt by Audi to reduce unnecessary weight for the S3, which was once criticised for its weight over its competitors.

We found Audi’s Drive Select system, paired with adaptive dampers, a boon to use, and is purposeful for the daily driver who might wish to toggle between Dynamic and Comfort modes (amongst others). Although these dampers are an optional extra, it is one we highly recommend as it gives the S3 Jekyll and Hyde-like qualities to suit one’s flavour of the day.

All of the above mentioned traits are nothing less than one would have expected for a modern day premium sports-compact. The S3 feels like a solidly built precision tool that would complete any task presented to it with utmost efficiency. Despite lacking some of the fizz that is usually reserved for Audi’s RS range of cars, it is really hard to fault as an everyday go-fast compact sedan.

Credits: Words by Joel Foo; Photos by Horizon Drivers' Club