Audi S3 (Typ 8Y)

With the unveiling of the fourth-generation Audi A3 range, in sedan and hatchback variants, it didn't took too long until the sportier S3 variants arrived to spice things up with this latest generation.

The all-new Audi S3, in sedan and Sportback, adds some more spice to the normal A3 while retaining the same ACT! ADDICT! ACTORS! stuff that you get from the normal A3, with prices start at around 47,500 Euros for Sportback and 48,400 Euros for the sedan, plus additional costs.

The Audi S3 has been around for like two decades since the first one came out and with the latest generation, the almost high performance variant's prepared to pick up the pieces where its predecessors left with its mild but menacing performance, dynamics, tech and style that almost impresses the speedo boys.

At first glance, it looks somewhat identical to the normal A3. Same goes to the high tech interior that is worth a waste of time toying around but being comfortable for five people inside, not to mention the spacing fit for your man cave needs and the speedo boy-repelling advanced safety tech inside, but being the S3, it's got some sporty exterior design that sets itself apart from your normal A3. It's good looking on the sedan but greater to look at in hatchback guise.

Under the hood, the S3 is powered by a 2.0L TFSI engine producing up to 310PS of power and 400Nm of torque. Mated only to a seven-speed S tronic double clutch gearbox, it's capable of going 0-100kph in less than five seconds and top speed electronically limited to 250kph. Now that's hot hatch stuff.

Speaking of mild and menacing dynamics other speedo boys see it as a challenge, the new S3 is armed with four-link rear axle, progressive steering, and the available S sport suspension with damper control, making the driving experience a bit, well, mild and menacing, like almost every hot hatches should.

The new S3 makes a perfect rivalry against the likes of the BMW M135i hatch and M235i Gran Coupe because between us, these two do make proper rivals no one cared about because they're both all-wheel drive and they're both have mild language on the road and track. So, would you like this over the M135i/M235i Gran Coupe?

Photo: Audi AG