gamegenie

I wish my car had 252hp to match the 2.0T on the A4, A5, and A6.

So many cars coming out now making the 220hp A3 look very under-powered now.


Also the S3 is underpowered too, the North American S3 should have got the 310hp like the European models.


I know Audi's answer probably is to get the RS3.

VWVW

While the A3's 220 hp might seem low, it does not feel any slower than the A4/A5 with the 252 hp engine. There is significant weight difference between the cars. In fact, if you look at the acceleration specs, they are nearly identical.

KevinDuMa

I agree. The torque definitely makes up for it also. I think you should try driving in S mode if you want a more spirited drive, the D on basically all Audi models come off very sluggish and shifts at low RPMs.

Nachos Libres

A tune would address your issues and I'm pretty sure the only difference between the 310 hp and the 292 hp on the S3 models is a different OEM tune.

SYMAWD

Since when is a car that can do 5.4 0-60 slow?

gamegenie

Yeah but what if Audi could sell HP updates for $500, and add 32 horses to our car.

Imagine the 0-60 we would be able to pull, probably 5.1 seconds

Timmay

Btw, I don't really think the current North American market S3 is underpowered per se, as it can get up and go pretty good. Certainly surprises many onlookers. Of course I wouldn't complain having an additional 20 ponies or so, but it's pretty good as is I must say. As others may have noted, you can't compare the A3/S3 to much larger and heavier cars like the A4 and certainly not the A6. Those cars need more power IMO.

arU4ic

Yeah, maybe powerful enough, but I wouldn't mind a 10-20% bump, I somewhat agree with OP, it could be class leading, instead it's 'enough' and an easy move for AOA to do so.

I do love the surprised faces when Im in my S3 - it was even more so when it was new in 2015, I would love to be at 310 - that would be perfect IMO.

akraev

If the A3 made 252hp, that would throw the whole range out of whack. People would be less inclined to pay extra for an S3 with just 40 more ponies.

Plus, like VWVW said, the A3 is lighter and smaller than the A4, so 220 is PLENTY of power for an entry-level compact sedan.

Want more juice, get an ECU tune.

Goldswing

Or for $200-$300 and an hour of time, you can put on a piggyback module that makes the car feel like 250+ HP. Its really a great, inexpensive, warranty saving mod. Still loving mine, and in S mode, it really moves!