| December 20, 2000
Audi Updates The S3
For owners of both Volkswagen and Audi in America, the grass is always greener
on the other side of the fence. It would seem every model sold here has some
bizarro world equivalent on the European continent that has higher power, more options
or some other factor that the US enthusiast yearns for.
Perhaps one of the most sought after products we in North America can't get our grubby
little driving gloves on is the Audi S3. Okay, maybe it plays second to the RS4, but it's
still very high on the list.
A 3-door version of the VW Group's A-chassis, the S3 features all of the components we
dream about over here. The highest horsepower version of the venerable 1.8T engine is
mated to a 6-speed transmission and coupled with the new Haldex all-wheel-drive system
to create the ultimate compact car to come from this particular corporate partsbin.
While those components can also come in the higher end Audi TT here in the states, the
S3 offers something else. The upright 3-door shape of the car adds a dose of practicality
that can seat 5 in a pinch and has a generous trunk.
The S3 also benefits from more of the sleeper effect than the TT. While it will garner
gawks from Audiphiles, others like police will pass it by without a glance.
With the recent design changes applied to the Audi A3, it was simply a matter of time
before versions of the S3 sharing these changes began to show on the European market.
On the outside, the new S3 benefits from a modified front-end design with a new radiator
grille and spoiler, a one-piece ellipsoidal-principle headlights with clear glass; xenon
headlights and tail lights with new internal geometry.
New safety equipment has also been added to the S3. The Electronic Stability Program
ESP is part of the standard specification of all S3s made for the German market. The side
head airbag system SIDEGUARD, which protects the head and neck areas of all outboard
passengers in a side impact, is also available.
Other components found in new versions of Audi S cars have also been incorporated into
the new S3. The car's "S3" badge is now in the same style as 2001 models of the S4 and
S8. Aluminum exterior mirrors are also an option seemingly available on all offerings in the
S range.
Power on the S3 remains the same at 210bhp, just 5 shy of the top-end TT. Combined
with quattro driveline and 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, it requires just 6.9
seconds for the sprint from 0-62 mph.
This newest version of the S3 looks even better than before. Sadly, it will still not be
added to the North American Audi lineup with little to no possibility of coming over.
However, with the new A4 growing larger, and Audi having a record sales year, it is
possible that future versions of the A3 and variations like the S3 could possibly come
stateside in the future. For now, we can only dream.
Click here for more photos of the Audi S3.
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