Audi S3 review

The most recent update saw prices rise, too, with the S3 Sportback hatch now coming in at around £47,000, although this has the Black Edition styling pack fitted as standard. The powertrain consists of a 328bhp/420Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (the VW Group’s ubiquitous EA888 unit), a seven-speed twin-clutch S tronic gearbox and quattro four-wheel drive.

The S3 Sportback is a subtle performance car, but you can be even more understated by choosing the S3 saloon instead. The four-door model has the same powertrain as the Sportback, so it’s just as quick, matching its 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds, but the notchback shape helps it deliver better claimed fuel economy, at 34.4mpg.

The S3 saloon is slightly more expensive, though, carrying a premium of around £1,200 over the Sportback, while the boot is compromised by its narrow opening.

Audi S3 history

Ever since the original S3 arrived in 1999, it’s offered a tempting mix of performance and premium quality in a compact package that has been snapped up by buyers. It’s also a good way to show how the class has evolved.

The first model was a three-door hatch with 207bhp and 270Nm of torque from a 1.8-litre turbo engine connected to a manual gearbox. Fast-forward to today, and the car is a five-door (or saloon), there’s a seven-speed twin-clutch auto instead of a manual, and it has an extra 121bhp and 150Nm on tap. It’s also around 100kg heavier.

Fans of fast Volkswagens and Audis will be familiar with the EA888 code, because that’s the number carried by the group’s excellent 2.0-litre direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. It can be found in the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Volkswagen Golf R, Cupra Leon and even the Porsche Macan, as well as the Audi S3.