How Good is the S3'S 4 Wheel Drive?

[dc240969]

Those figures are total output not at flywheel. For example with my motor, 320bhp total output but only 260 at the flywheel.

 

[Dandle]

But are manufacturer figures quoted at the flywheel, or at the wheels? I honestly don't know, but had always read it as flywheel / engine horsepower, not horsepower at the wheels.

Manufacturers stated power outputs are always at the flywheel unless stated otherwise.

 

[S3Alex]

Having driven an ex-GpN Escort Cosworth for a few years,fitted with rose jointed suspension and Quaife diffs all round,I'd say the S3's 4WD is actually pretty good for what is a road car,and it rarely intrudes or makes driving a chore.

Obviously it is geared towards safety and understeer,although the ASR can be defeated and you then have the ability to catch yourself out whenever you want.

Traction seems pretty good under most conditions,and grip(tyre issues aside) is also decent even from stock,although I am sure that a decent aftermarket suspension will make a great improvement.

 

[Lima]

Manufacturers stated power outputs are always at the flywheel unless stated otherwise.

That's correct.

Having said that, quoted power figures from VAG engines tend to be on the conservative side in my experience.

 

[Aspen]

In a straight line the Leon Cupra would be a very strong match for an S3.

Unless you live in, oh i don't know, say the UK, where it rains most of the time. In which case, the cupra would just about be stopping it's tyres spinning as the S3 completes it's run.

Same with the wifes TT, that's amazing in the dry, but as soon as it's wet. Forget it.

And as for the new focus RS (borrowed for a weekend test drive) Oh dear oh dear oh dear. That much power, front wheels only. In the wet, no no no corner, no noooooooooooooooooooooo. smash!

They don't like it when you crash a test drive. lol

 

[S.]

you crashed focus rs?

 

[Aspen]

you crashed focus rs?

Hi sorry for the late reply, Yes big time.
When you're used to going round corners in a car that sticks to the road. You tend to expect similar from a car Jermemy Clarkson discribes as perfect.

He is wrong, ford are wrong, the car in fact is just wrong.
It had nothing whatsoever to do with my entry speed into a corner on the snake pass. Nothing at all.

Airbags work ok though.

Here's the kicker, when you borrow a car, there is a bit at the bottom, asking if you want to pay £10 to waiver the excess charge for the insurance, should something, you know, err, happen.

It did, I didn't, goodbye £350.

 

[pluves1]

Hi sorry for the late reply, Yes big time.
When you're used to going round corners in a car that sticks to the road. You tend to expect similar from a car Jermemy Clarkson discribes as perfect.

He is wrong, ford are wrong, the car in fact is just wrong.
It had nothing whatsoever to do with my entry speed into a corner on the snake pass. Nothing at all.

Airbags work ok though.

Here's the kicker, when you borrow a car, there is a bit at the bottom, asking if you want to pay £10 to waiver the excess charge for the insurance, should something, you know, err, happen.

It did, I didn't, goodbye £350.

Did you really prang the RS?

Any pics?

Hope you're okay. I guess we might be seeing less of these on the road as I fear drivers will get too confident (wasn't it Autoexpress that said this car oozes confidence?) and push the car to its limits. That said it could be a case of bad driving

 

[Young un]

The AWD isnt a free benefit and I believe im being generous in saying it only looses 30-40bhp on a 260bhp car. The standard 2.0TFSI isnt quick at all once its at around 70mph as it looses power through the Awd, in a straight line at that speed its actually no benefit at all. I loved the grip it gave on corners and standing starts though and would have it again in a heartbeat over a fwd A3.

I have an S3 and my mate has edition 30 DSG
Not very scientific or accurate but we've played around with vagcom
1. S3 faster 0-60 times
2. S3 faster standing start
3. S3=edition 30 rolling start (30-70mph)

Book figures
S3 261 bhp 258 lb ft
Edition 30 227 bhp 231 lb ft

S3 didnt 'outgun' edition 30 in real world straight line acceleration 30-70mph...im guessing this is explained with AWD transimission losses?

 

[Dandle]

S3 didnt 'outgun' edition 30 in real world straight line acceleration 30-70mph...im guessing this is explained with AWD transimission losses?

Probably and the weight could have something to do with it as well. Try accelerating from about 50mph, its above that that i really noticed my A3 wasnt very quick compared to my T4.

 

[dave_tfsi]

so when i get my a3 8p FWD tuned to 265bhp ill be faster then a s3 ill just need a very good start with minimal amount of wheel spin

 

[S.]

so when i get my a3 8p FWD tuned to 265bhp ill be faster then a s3 ill just need a very good start with minimal amount of wheel spin

i really hope you can do that
and what if the s3 gets some steroids?

 

[dave_tfsi]

than my friend im ********. i will have to ram it off the road.