If you are going to go small, why not “go big” and spin up the new Audi S3? In the battle for market share, Audi is the last to join the other German luxury marques in the compact class. Among the five new three-series models Audi is touting to draw folks into the four rings is the top-of-the-line S3. While the S3 is primarily front-wheel-drive, it is of course equipped with quattro and very aptly delivers power to the rear axle via a Haldex clutch. This may be an entry-level S-badged Audi, but the performance from the turbo-charged four-cylinder is spunky to say the least. Under full boost the turbo will peak around 29 psi, and the resultant forced induction generates nearly 300 horsepower and almost diesel-like torque from low RPM. So if you’ve have had enough of the practicality of the standard American or Japanese sedans, Audi has the lure baited and is ready to net a new batch of driving enthusiasts with the S3.
