New Audi S3 Sportback review

Audi UK has just aired its 2009 model range to the UK’s motoring press as it pushes towards another record year of sales despite the severe downturn in the new car market.

With revised models, additional new lower CO2 engines, sophisticated twin-clutch transmissions on a wider range of models, the company is moving closer to overtaking BMW, possibly next year, to become the leading German premium brand in the UK.

Of the raft of model changes put on display this week, the most significant for most people are the revised A3 variants. The premium compact A3 three and five door hatchbacks and Cabriolets is Audi’s best selling model range which achieves 32,000 sales annually in the UK.

The latest A3 will become more and more important to fortunes of Audi’s growth plans as inevitably customers, even Audi owners, look to downsize to off-set the increase in motoring costs. The three door range has prices ranging from £14,995 up to £27,450 for the S3 quattro all wheel drive version.

Five-door Fastback models, which take 70% of A3 sales, have prices ranging from £15,495 up to £27,970. A3 Cabriolet versions range from £19,995 to £27,760.

Although the A3 has received a re-styling, the changes are detailed and not significantly different, more of an evolution in design. The hatchbacks retain their wedge shape, high waistline with the latest Audi front end grille.

Rear and rear quarter visibility is still an issue due to the high and rising waistline and the handling is not as sharp or as controlled as the BMW 1 Series, its main competitor.

For low to medium mileage owners, probably private buyers, the model which makes the most sense is the1.4 TFSI Sportback priced from £17,150. The five door body style is the most user-friendly and the new 1.4-litre direct injection turbocharged with intercooler petrol engine offers 125PS of power.

More importantly 200Nm of torque is available from just 1,500rpm which makes the car extremely responsive and flexible to drive at all speeds.

Fuel economy is officially 47.9mpg but with low CO2 emissions of 140g.km this puts it in Vehicle Excise Duty Band C which costs £120 a year and £110 from April 2009.

I’d recommend the SE specification as the most cost effective buy at £17,800, pretty competitive for a medium segment five door hatchback. The majority (35%) of A3 buyers currently choose the Sport specification which costs £19,000.

Overall the quality is very high as is the build quality but be warned adding lots of options pushes up the price significantly and in today’s market probably not advisable.

However if money and the resulting higher Benefit in Kind tax charges for company car users are no obstacle then the new addition to the range, the high performance S3 quattro Sportback is the headline grabber.

This 2.0-litre, 265PS, 350NM petrol direct injection, turbocharger with intercooler model with a six-speed manual transmission and quattro all-wheel drive costs £27,970 on the road but add options and the price become very high indeed - £33,500 for my test car.

Given the excellent performance, stability, four-wheel grip, overall refinement, plus the flexibility of five doors, this still seems too much money.

Audi S3 Sportback MILESTONES

Audi S3 Sportback

Price: £27,970 (£33,500 as tested)

Engine/transmission; 2.0-litre, petrol, direct injection with turbocharger and intercooler, 265PS (261bhp), 350Nm from 2,500rpm, 6-speed manual gearbox, quattro all wheel drive

Performance: 155mph (governed), 0-62mph 5.8 seconds CO2 199g/km, 33.2mpg, 25.4mpg actual, VED Band F £210 but £260 proposed from next April

For: Strong engine, high torque at low engine speed, very quick, loads of grip, practical five door body, comfortable

Against: Very pricey, poor rear and rear side visibility

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