Audi S3

In this company, the Audi S3 is the odd one out. The German firm has distanced itself from rallying since the glory days of the Quattro in the Eighties, and the S3 doesn’t quite enjoy same cult following as its two rivals.

It’s a more low-key car which makes less of a song and dance about its abilities. But can it keep pace with its rivals where it counts? Visually, it’s certainly not as striking. With a squat stance, it isn’t that pretty and relies on its bright red paint, silver mirrors and chrome trim to stand out.

The compact frame is well enough packaged, though, managing to cram a 281-litre boot and adequate space for four into a 4,214mm overall length. But what really sets the S3 apart in this company is the look and feel of the cabin. Mitsubishi has taken the Evo slightly upmarket, but its interior design and plastic quality aren’t in the same league as the Audi’s.

The leather clad gearknob and steering wheel are very tactile and the switches have been painstakingly shaped and laid out, rather than scattered carelessly around. We’re less convinced by the indented leather on the seats, and there are fewer toys to play with, too. The Audi isn’t that well equipped as standard – our car had more than £4,500 of options – and there are no 4WD, gearbox or throttle controls, either.

That doesn’t hold the Audi back in a straight line. At 261bhp and 350Nm, it gives away 31bhp and 57Nm to the Evo X, but at 1,455kg, it’s 135kg lighter. As a result, its power to weight ratio is virtually identical. Longer gearing meant it wasn’t quite as quick as the Mitsubishi from 0-60mph with a time of 5.6 seconds, but better aerodynamics ensured the Audi was only a tenth of a second behind when they passed 100mph, recording 13.8 seconds. So the S3 is much quicker than you might expect.

Despite the addition of beefed up mechanicals over the standard 2.0 TFSI used by the Golf GTI, the engine still doesn’t come alive until past 3,000rpm. But there’s little lag, so it’s great for overtaking, with a relatively sharp throttle response. An addictive turbo whistle once past 5,000rpm means it sounds rorty, too. Unlike the Evo X, the S3 isn’t available with a double-clutch gearbox, instead making do with a six-speed manual. It offers a smoother, slicker shift than the Subaru’s, but with a lack of mechanical feel it comes across as more remote.

That applies to the driving experience, too. The S3 is sharp and well engineered, but unlike the honest, if agricultural, Impreza and honed Lancer, the Audi isn’t that engaging to drive.

For instance, you never really feel the 4WD system working. The S3’s natural stance is to understeer once the limit of grip is reached, while the brakes are a touch snatchy.

However, as long as you don’t drive too hard, the S3 is impressive, composed and relatively well damped. It has been lowered by 25mm over the standard A3, so doesn’t have as much suspension travel as the Impreza, and can’t handle rough roads quite as well. But it makes up for that with faster reactions, a more nimble chassis and crisper steering.

The S3 is missing the fun factor, but as a car to live with, it’s easily the most accomplished. Audi is a desirable brand which ensures good resale and low running costs, plus as it isn’t focused purely on driving thrills, the S3 fares better in day-to-day situations. A figure of 69dB at 70mph was three decibels quieter than the Japanese cars, while the 4WD system is happier during low-speed manoeuvres. It’s not cheap and is a very different car to its rivals, but still a tempting prospect.

Details

Price: £27,000Model tested: Audi S3Chart position: 2WHY: The S3 is only available as a three-door, but it’s a desirable and cost-effective alternative to the Evo.

Economy

It has the best claimed figures, lowest emissions and the S3 is the only one not to sit in the top bands for road and company car tax. It managed 23.7mpg, meaning you pay less to cover 20,000 miles than it would cost to travel 12,000 miles in the Evo.

Residuals

The S3 holds on to 10 per cent more of its value than the Evo. So although it’s £5,000 cheaper initially, it’s likely to be worth more in three years’ time, having lost £11,853. This excellent result highlights the desirability of the Audi badge.

Servicing

A variable schedule means the Audi should be able to go further between visits to a service centre – around 17,000 miles, we reckon. But be warned that when the time does come, maintenance isn’t cheap at £1,040 for three visits.

Insurance

It’s cheaper to insure than its rivals, costs less to tax, is lighter on fuel and wears an Audi badge, so it’s no wonder the S3 has by far the lowest running costs. 77.1 pence per mile is only fractionally more than the lower-spec Impreza WRX.

For an in-depth buyer's guide on the Audi S3 from Classic and Performance Car click here...