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Statistics

How much? £27,000
On sale in the UK: Now
Engine: 1984cc 16V four, 261bhp@6000rpm, 258lb ft@2500-5000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance: 5.7sec 0-62mph, 155mph, 31mpg, 217g/km CO2
How heavy / made of? 1455kg/steel
How big (length/width/height in mm)? 4214mm/1765/1399
Need to know

CAR's rating

Rated 4 out of 54

Handling

Rated 4 out of 54

Performance

Rated 5 out of 55

Usability

Rated 4 out of 54

Feelgood factor

Rated 4 out of 54

Readers' rating

Rated 3 out of 53

Audi S3 (2006) CAR review

By Chris Chilton

First Drives

31 August 2006 07:56

Hot hatch

So the fast A3 returns. What’s the story this time?

It’s the same basic recipe: turbocharged four-pot motor and Haldex four-wheel drive system, a great cabin and a price that makes it appear suspiciously poor value beside a couple of other Volkswagen-group cars.

The old S3 was always aware of its place below the TT in the hierarchy. Presumably this one is too.

Actually this time the S3 has 265bhp, making it 65bhp beefier than the 2.0 TT and 15bhp harder than the V6. It now reaches 62mph in 5.7sec, nearly a second faster than the old 225bhp car.

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Average rating: Rated 3 out of 53 (27 votes)

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Audi S3 (2006) CAR review

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hughfh

hughfh says

RE: Audi S3 (2006) CAR review

I know this comment is late but did the author do any research at all before writing this? "If you want quattro and the charismatic V6, get the R32." It is an option yes BUT WHAT ABOUT THE A3 3.2 V6 SPORT/S LINE (sorry about shouting)??? It's no longer available but it certainly was at the time of writing this article. It had the same glorious V6 engine, choice of manual or DSG/S tronic, 3 or 5 doors, similar equipment and all for much less than S3 or R32 PLUS a bigger discount. Part of the problem I think was that Audi UK never really promoted this car properly and certainly not as a viable alternative to the R32 (perhaps they were not allowed to?) It's almost as though it never existed and having had the pleasure of owning one until recently, I think it represents a big missed opportunity.

25 July 2008 14:43

 

gmoney

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gmoney says

RE: Audi S3 (2006) CAR review

Shame the writer falls into the trap of price comparison on an S badged Audi - target market really couldn't give a damn about a couple more grand and wouldn't be seen dead in a VW golf! I bringing the 3.2 V6 into the picture no mention is made of the nose heavy charicteristics and relative dynamism of the 2.0T engines when mounted up front. Finally, you include the readers rating (misleadingly!) under the car's rating in stars - but clearly you ask your reader to rate the article not the car???!!! I have to agree with your readership: two and a half stars for the article, not the car!

25 July 2008 12:56

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