New S3 review (15/09/20)

[S3LOK]

Hi,

Just head up there will be a video review of the new S3 by Automann-TV uploaded on Youtube tomorrow.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEsbHTupMY0Ul3nb9FFGF_g

 

[tb123]

Looks like Auditography will have one up as well

 

[S3LOK]

 

[Bigjase88]

Who’s the plonk stick with the driving gloves on, these guys crack me up

 

[Ron240]

I watched the Mat Watson review and he said that Audi quote a 0-60mph of 4.8 seconds. This is wrong...these times have not been quoted as 0-60 in the UK for decades, it is always 0-62mph. He then tests the car to an actual 0-60mph and gets a best of 4.37 seconds.
He also mixes up hp with ps, although this is very common with the motoring press. 310ps = 306hp
I do like Mat Watson though.

Terrible colour for a car.

 

[tb123]

Agree, colour looks pretty gross, although it does make the black contrasts stand out.

I think it looks ok, the interior is growing on me, all I can say though, is I think the RS3 is going to look pretty epic.

 

[TYb]

It’s very quiet. You’d of thought with all the engine tweaks they could have got more power from it, even if was 10%.

 

[tb123]

It’s very quiet. You’d of thought with all the engine tweaks they could have got more power from it, even if was 10%.

I was hoping so too, however I assume they need to balance it’s position between the A3 and RS3, if it gets too close to the RS3 then people may not pay the $$$ to step up to the next model if the S3 is “close enough”.

 

[TYb]

I was hoping so too, however I assume they need to balance it’s position between the A3 and RS3, if it gets too close to the RS3 then people may not pay the $$$ to step up to the next model if the S3 is “close enough”.

We’ve known for a while a power increase wasn’t on the cards but I’m still surprised to be honest.

Say the S3 went to 320-30, then the RS3 could have a similar increase, that puts it too close to the RS4 though, however next gen M3 gets 480bhp standard, 510 with competition pack.

 

[S3LOK]

Review by Autotrader

 

[tb123]

We’ve known for a while a power increase wasn’t on the cards but I’m still surprised to be honest.

Say the S3 went to 320-30, then the RS3 could have a similar increase, that puts it too close to the RS4 though, however next gen M3 gets 480bhp standard, 510 with competition pack.

Agreed, you’d think with a new model that there would be *some* increase. They really have to be careful not to trip over themselves with all the different models, I guess a big enough bump in RS3 power jumps it ahead of the TT RS while keeping up with / catching up to their competition, and on it goes...

Car Wow managed to launch the new S3 in low to mid 4 seconds, so its no slouch, apparently the 100kph to 200kph time was significantly faster than quoted (Automann review).

I’m not sure if the review car has the tricky diff (unless that’s standard) but a bit disappointed they didn’t seem to try to hard to hang the tail out.

 

[8YARWY]

I can’t think of a more boring set of reviews of a new car.
It’s offering nothing new at all.

Audi have lost the plot.


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[Snake Pliskin]

I can’t think of a more boring set of reviews of a new car.
It’s offering nothing new at all.

Audi have lost the plot.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Will be interesting to see how it compares to the Golf R this time round.

 

[Ron240]

Car Wow managed to launch the new S3 in low to mid 4 seconds, so its no slouch

Remember this is to 60mph but all manufacturer times are quoted to 62mph.
Having said that the S3 never has been a slouch - Carwow tested a 2018 sportback at 4.5 to 60mph, and a 2020 Saloon at 4.3
The latest car as seen above is 4.37 to 60mph.

 

[TYb]

Agreed, you’d think with a new model that there would be *some* increase. They really have to be careful not to trip over themselves with all the different models, I guess a big enough bump in RS3 power jumps it ahead of the TT RS while keeping up with / catching up to their competition, and on it goes...

Car Wow managed to launch the new S3 in low to mid 4 seconds, so its no slouch, apparently the 100kph to 200kph time was significantly faster than quoted (Automann review).

I’m not sure if the review car has the tricky diff (unless that’s standard) but a bit disappointed they didn’t seem to try to hard to hang the tail out.

Agree it’s a rapid car and doesn’t need a power increase but it’s a selling point to jump from current to new model.

To me this is just a facelift, with a new interior. Previous iterations have seen bigger jumps in power etc.

Exterior has grown on me and in the right spec it doesn’t look bad at all, interior wise the seats are nice and that’s about it for me, dash and MI just doesn’t do it.

 

[8YARWY]

Will be interesting to see how it compares to the Golf R this time round.

There’s nothing in that interior that would make me want to change.

The reviews are just so so. Almost remind me of the new smartphone syndrome whereby you stop upgrading year on year because the product has reached a pinnacle.


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[Snake Pliskin]

There’s nothing in that interior that would make me want to change.

The reviews are just so so. Almost remind me of the new smartphone syndrome whereby you stop upgrading year on year because the product has reached a pinnacle.

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I must say, if I had a facelift 8v like yourself then the desire to change to a Y would not be there.
My 4 year old pre-facelift was showing its age in the looks and tech department so slightly different circumstances.

 

[Jassyo06]

Sportback is as dull dishwater as are all hatches to my eyes anyways.....but the 8y is the best looking in it's class...it is what it is....guys if ye dont like it ye buy somethings else

 

[Jassyo06]

A more Anal review

 

[Walternate]

that guy bored me to death, but he did show the far better looking saloon, far far better. Sportback looks appalling

 

[K96]

This new S3 isn't looking to positive at all. Maybe its the colour/spec that's on show at the moment so I'll reserve my judgement for now and hope to see some improvements

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[tb123]

that guy bored me to death, but he did show the far better looking saloon, far far better. Sportback looks appalling

I think once you put some bigger rubber and maybe a small guard extension on the Sportback, it’s going to look a lot like a baby RS4/6 Avant, which is no bad thing IMO.

 

[TYb]

Sportback is as dull dishwater as are all hatches to my eyes anyways.....but the 8y is the best looking in it's class...it is what it is....guys if ye dont like it ye buy somethings else

I think they are all much of a muchness mate, the A45/35 for example looks great from the front and side, S3 is suspect from the rear but front is growing on me, the 135i looks good side and back but strange from the front, even when grill is blacked out.

Re saloon the S3 has always been a looker in saloon spec but somehow the RS3 looks much better in hatch form, I know that sounds stupid, just looks better as a chunky hatch.

Interior wise I’d say BMW has the best balance, followed by Merc then Audi on the latest additions.

I think a move from PFL to 8Y makes sense but not from a FL, not yet any way.

 

[TYb]

I think they are all much of a muchness mate, the A45/35 for example looks great from the front and side, S3 is suspect from the rear but front is growing on me, the 135i looks good side and back but strange from the front, even when grill is blacked out.

Re saloon the S3 has always been a looker in saloon spec but somehow the RS3 looks much better in hatch form, I know that sounds stupid, just looks better as a chunky hatch.

Interior wise I’d say BMW has the best balance, followed by Merc then Audi on the latest additions.

I think a move from PFL to 8Y makes sense but not from a FL, not yet any way.

This isn’t knocking those hot hatches by the way, they are all extremely good at what they do.

Interesting development from BMW

https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews...-Sz1Gz20mE7LcXIr6MzklU2Yr3CTPUx1Oa44pYWgJTkDQ

 

[Snake Pliskin]

This isn’t knocking those hot hatches by the way, they are all extremely good at what they do.

Interesting development from BMW

https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews...-Sz1Gz20mE7LcXIr6MzklU2Yr3CTPUx1Oa44pYWgJTkDQ

A nice rival for a Golf GTI and 260 bhp through the front wheels (more so with a LSD) makes for a fun rapid car.
We had a Scirocco R a few years ago with similar stats and that was a great car and with no 4WD it was light and nimble too.

 

[Mr Freeze]

Sportback is as dull dishwater as are all hatches to my eyes anyways.....but the 8y is the best looking in it's class...it is what it is....guys if ye dont like it ye buy somethings else

9 out of 10 A3's sold worldwide are Sportback so they can't be that dull

 

[Jassyo06]

9 out of 10 A3's sold worldwide are Sportback so they can't be that dull

So ........Popular as well Dull

 

[Jassyo06]

I think they are all much of a muchness mate, the A45/35 for example looks great from the front and side, S3 is suspect from the rear but front is growing on me, the 135i looks good side and back but strange from the front, even when grill is blacked out.

Re saloon the S3 has always been a looker in saloon spec but somehow the RS3 looks much better in hatch form, I know that sounds stupid, just looks better as a chunky hatch.

Interior wise I’d say BMW has the best balance, followed by Merc then Audi on the latest additions.

I think a move from PFL to 8Y makes sense but not from a FL, not yet any way.

But you've not seen a Very nicely optioned 8Y S3 Saloon/Hatch in the metal as to speak...Yet....No one has....and they're all having a go at it

The RS3 Sportback looked chunkier than the S3 Spoprtback...because of the wider front track 255 tyres,19 " wheels and slightly wider front arches.....deeper front bumper

 

[Jassyo06]

Why is it after you've ticked every option possible you still only get the 10-25 virtual cockpit screen on the S3.....There is no available option to go for the 12-3 screen....or is the configurator still not up to speed yet....but l see Navarra Blue has been added to the colours list.....no mention of an Edition 1 variant yet...just mentions the Vorsprung for October

 

[Ron240]

So ........Popular as well Dull

Must admit that did make me smile.

 

[Mr Freeze]

So ........Popular as well Dull

So your pretty much saying you drive a dull car as the only difference is the saloon is a bit longer and as a bigger boot

 

[TYb]

But you've not seen a Very nicely optioned 8Y S3 Saloon/Hatch in the metal as to speak...Yet....No one has....and they're all having a go at it

The RS3 Sportback looked chunkier than the S3 Spoprtback...because of the wider front track 255 tyres,19 " wheels and slightly wider front arches.....deeper front bumper

I haven’t but the plastic bumper inserts will look cheap in videos and in the flesh, the interior is poor either way.

 

[TYb]

I haven’t but the plastic bumper inserts will look cheap in videos and in the flesh, the interior is poor either way.

I was particularly grumpy last night

It’s not a bad looking car at all but there are certain things which just aren’t too my taste, I really don’t like the plastic inserts, they are especially unnecessary on the rear bumper and never going to like the change in dash set up.

 

[Jassyo06]

I was particularly grumpy last night

It’s not a bad looking car at all but there are certain things which just aren’t too my taste, I really don’t like the plastic inserts, they are especially unnecessary on the rear bumper and never going to like the change in dash set up.

We all get a little grumpy now and again especially in the last 6 months

 

[TYb]

We all get a little grumpy now and again especially in the last 6 months

Ain’t that the truth. We all still know that the S3 will be a great car, I’m just frustrated with the direction Audi have gone, that’s across the range with touch screens etc.

 

[Sparks43]

Why is it after you've ticked every option possible you still only get the 10-25 virtual cockpit screen on the S3.....There is no available option to go for the 12-3 screen....or is the configurator still not up to speed yet....but l see Navarra Blue has been added to the colours list.....no mention of an Edition 1 variant yet...just mentions the Vorsprung for October

This what got me about the reviews - One guy says this is the Edition1 version but there isn't an Edition 1 S3 only standard with like you say Vorsprung to follow

Those wheels aren't an option (well not in the UK anyway) and I agree with you why no option to upgrade the Virtual Cockpit which will be available on the Vorsprung

The standard S3 does have a Flat Bottom steering wheel as well unless you put the Driver Assistance pack on and then you have to have full as something to do with the sensors for all the lane departure stuff etc

The diamond seats are also optional at no extra cost but not then Fine Nappa Leather according to the configurator

The marketing car they are using as far as I can tell you wouldn't be able to spec it like that as no black pack available until Vorsprung (or an Edition 1) comes out so very misleading in my opinion

 

[Walternate]

 

[Sparks43]

View attachment 209497

So available in Germany then but not here in the UK (yet anyway) - Our configurator has one S3

 

[Jassyo06]

Personally speaking having had black styling packs on 2 S3's the matte aluminum would be a refreshing change,but l wont except a 10 inch virtual cockpit nor that huge DAP circular steering wheel...Audi have implemented a flat bottom steering wheel in every Vorsprung model variant other than the new 8y A3/S3.....I also note that the Edition 1 Saloon has high gloss diamond cut alloys ie the same as that yellow S3 ye know the one thats in every youtubers review....the yellow Ed 1

 

[Sparks43]

Personally speaking having had black styling packs on 2 S3's the matte aluminum would be a refreshing change,but l wont except a 10 inch virtual cockpit nor that huge DAP circular steering wheel...Audi have implemented a flat bottom steering wheel in every Vorsprung model variant other than the new 8y A3/S3.....I also note that the Edition 1 Saloon has high gloss diamond cut alloys ie the same as that yellow S3 ye know the one thats in every youtubers review....the yellow Ed 1

full size steering wheel is horrible and certainly doesn’t belong on a S/RS

I do find it strange that there’s no option to up to virtual cockpit plus as well

really don’t like the Python Yellow but like you say every review has it