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- Oct 31, 2007
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Every day I open my computer my iGoogle homepage is set up to provide updates on car / motorsport news from various sources.
More recently I've been noting a lot of the hot hatchbacks are slowly creeping up on the heels of the S3 8P, and quite a few surpassing it, particularly with respect to power and spec trinkets (Brembos and buckets).
The humble Mazda 3 MPS has had 260PS as long as I can remember, and then the Focus RS raised the stakes with over 300bhp.
The recently revised Megane RS now has 250bhp
and the 2012 Focus ST is getting 246 horses
Today I got an update saying the Astra GTC VXR with special diff is getting 280bhp
and the new Merc A class (A25 AMG) will get a 2.0T with more power than an RS3 (Over 330bhp)
Many of the VW stable mates (Leon R / Rocco / Golf) all have the 260bhp lump, as will the A1 Quattro Special Edition, and the TT-S has 272PS version.
Now I know the S3 8P has some charms which the others can't match (subtlety, desirability and sheer grip in bad weather), but is the old girl at risk of being swamped by the fresh faced newbies?
Good job a facelift is on the cards and I think an extra cylinder will be required to keep the S at the forefront of the crowd.
Any thoughts....
More recently I've been noting a lot of the hot hatchbacks are slowly creeping up on the heels of the S3 8P, and quite a few surpassing it, particularly with respect to power and spec trinkets (Brembos and buckets).
The humble Mazda 3 MPS has had 260PS as long as I can remember, and then the Focus RS raised the stakes with over 300bhp.
The recently revised Megane RS now has 250bhp
and the 2012 Focus ST is getting 246 horses
Today I got an update saying the Astra GTC VXR with special diff is getting 280bhp
and the new Merc A class (A25 AMG) will get a 2.0T with more power than an RS3 (Over 330bhp)
Many of the VW stable mates (Leon R / Rocco / Golf) all have the 260bhp lump, as will the A1 Quattro Special Edition, and the TT-S has 272PS version.
Now I know the S3 8P has some charms which the others can't match (subtlety, desirability and sheer grip in bad weather), but is the old girl at risk of being swamped by the fresh faced newbies?
Good job a facelift is on the cards and I think an extra cylinder will be required to keep the S at the forefront of the crowd.
Any thoughts....