Packing a 292-HP punch, Quattro all-wheel-drive and a fairly lightweight chassis, the 2015 Audi S3 is a recipe for serious performance. Courtesy of internal reworking including a new, larger turbocharger, the S3’s 2.0-L four-cylinder engine feels incredibly sprightly from the get-go, with 280 lb-ft of torque peaking from just 1,900 RPM.
Watch Nathan reveal almost everything you ever wanted to know about the 2015 Audi S3 in the video below, live from Austin, Texas:
Speed isn’t the 2015 Audi S3’s only wild card, however, as a competent, personalized driving experience are also at the helm. Thanks to Audi’s Drive Select system, parameters such as shock valve damping (they’re magnetorheological), steering feel, exhaust note, and even the six-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission’s shift points.
The 2015 Audi S3 blazes from 0-60 MPH in just 4.7 seconds, though it does feel faster. Fuel economy is returned at 23/31/26 city/highway/combined MPG on premium-unleaded fuel.
On the topic of premium, very little feels lost between the Audi S3 and big brother S4. Where the S4’s interior is slightly more opulent, the S3’s interior is refreshingly modern. There is a marked simplicity to the function of items such as climate controls, HVAC vents, and other accessible instrumentation.
The 2015 Audi S3’s back seat, while not cavernous, is adequate for a pair of six-foot-tall adults, and the trunk is large enough for a set of golf clubs or, perhaps, a weekend away.
Audi has always done a great job of balancing performance, handling, and versatility, and the 2015 Audi S3 is no exception. Though its starting MSRP of $41,000 is a bit high for its class, we feel that, if you do not desire the S4’s supercharged V-6 or slight bit of extra interior volume, the S3 is certainly not a bad way to go.
For more information on the 2015 Audi S3’s performance, check out this TFLcar video, driving the little beast through Circuit of the Americas (COTA)!
