OK, IT’S early in the year but already the stunning Audi S3 Sportback is one of my personal contenders for car of the year. The car looks good and moves like a thoroughbred racehorse. The S3 Sportback is hard to fault – it has a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that packs 300bhp and, with the help of the quattro 4WD, accelerates from 0-62mph. in less than five seconds. Stick with the standard spec S3 and you’ll get a lowered sports suspension, progressive steering system, 18in. alloy wheels, fine Nappa leather interior, heated front seats, and an aggressive bodykit on top of the A3’s S-line trim. On the road, the S3 Sportback feels very secure, while grip improves even further with the addition of Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system – although this option adds about £1,500, sees fuel economy drop by about 7mpg. and road tax rise by a band or two. The S3 Sportback is capable of 0-62mph. in just 5.3 seconds, while the even more rapid RS3 manages 0-62mph in just 4.3 seconds. While these are both quite expensive to buy and run, they’re seriously swift cars that can out accelerate a Porsche Cayman, yet offer typical hatchback practicality at the same time. As you would expect from the German manufacturer, the S3 Sportback is well-made and beautifully appointed as the standard A3, but with added sports-car flair. The differences are subtle, mainly the body-hugging sport seats and the racy flat-bottomed steering wheel, but they only add to the appeal…more detail
