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The 2022 Audi S3 Technik skillfully combines performance, comfort and superior features
2022 Audi S3 Technik Photo by Peter Blickney
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The car landscape may be full of SUVs and crossovers, but for some buyers the dynamic performance, efficiency and orderly size of the compact sports sedan are just the ticket. After a year off the market, the Audi A3 returns in 2022 with a new corner body, improved mechanics and redesigned interior.
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The 2022 Audi S3 has been tested here, with a starting price of $ 47,900 being the more sporty of the two available versions. Canadian enthusiasts will be sad to learn that the crazy five-cylinder RS with 401 hp turbo. hasn’t gotten here in 2022. But that doesn’t mean the more modest S3 isn’t for a little fun. It is a sleek small platform that expertly combines performance, comfort and high quality meetings.
2022 S3 is slightly larger than the previous model – 30 mm longer, 20 mm wider and slightly higher. The 2.0-liter turbocharger now produces 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, compared to 292 horsepower and 280 lb-ft. It drives all four wheels via an intelligent seven-speed dual-clutch automatic that switches off quick switches and ensures low-speed operation without shakes.
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The S3 is 15 mm lower than the regular A3 and runs on standard 18-inch alloys. As with most Audi cars, driving modes include Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual, the latter allowing the creation of a personal dynamic cocktail.
This top-of-the-line $ 53,900 S3 Technik enhances the game with advanced LED headlights, electric folding mirrors, navigation, Bang and Olufsen audio and Audi’s sleek 12.3-inch virtual cockpit. Immersed in Don’t Watch Me Daytona Gray ($ 890), this copy is available for up to $ 60, with the biggest ticket being the $ 1,600 extended management package. You will want this to make the most of the sporty S3. It adds 19-inch wheels shod with 235/35 rubber, along with an adaptive shock absorber.
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The cabin of the 202 S3 includes a fresh, angular design, and the 10.1-inch touchscreen display is well integrated into the dashboard. The build quality meets Audi’s usual standards, although the hard plastic door pulls are a bit disappointing. We see wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the sound of B&O gets a thumbs up from this musician. The $ 1,300 driver assistance package adds an adaptive cruise and some semi-autonomous features.
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The faux leather sports seats, heated but not ventilated, provide a fine combination of comfort and lateral support. As is the current trend with Audi, many analog controls have been sent to pasture. The usual volume knob on the console has been replaced with a small round touchpad that controls the volume, station selection, etc. It’s certainly not as intuitive as Audi’s previous MMI rotary controller, which made navigating infotainment menus relatively easy.
However, we have hard buttons for HVAC control and seat heating, as well as a row below that for driving modes, stability control, automatic start / stop and parking functions. The driving position of the S3 is in place and the visibility outside is good. The rear seats are a bit cramped, and the trunk isn’t as roomy as you might expect, but hey, it’s a compact sedan.
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The new S3 turns out to be an excellent universal model. Embark on a highway cruise and he travels the road with the confidence and tranquility expected of a first-class Euro iron. What I didn’t expect was the attractive boiling of the S3 when it revealed a back trip. It looks like Audi has put an extra dose of fun into this latest version of its smallest sports sedan. The S3 may be the cheapest and least powerful of the Audi S cars, but it provides the most smiles per mile … uh, a mile. Picking up dynamic mode and returning the gear lever back to “S” strengthens the suspension, calls for a more aggressive shift schedule, sharpens the throttle response and adds a little more weight to the handlebars. It also injects exhaust sound into the cabin to combine with the crackling and noise coming from the four exhaust pipes.
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But unlike the previous S3, which did the “aim and shoot” sterility, this 2022 version invites you to join the fun. It’s fast, it catches on, it pulls out of turns, and it even serves as a sweet relief from over-turning when taking off for a certain turn that makes you smile when … oh, it attacks this deserted roundabout. The rotation is assisted by the torque vector of the front wheels. The dual-clutch transmission responds to the pressure of the paddle with decent immediacy, and unlike its direct competitors BMW and Mercedes, driving the S3 won’t beat you even with all the Go!
This newly discovered thirst for life comes with slightly improved fuel economy compared to the previous model – 8.8 l / 100 km combined versus 9.5 l / 100 km combined. First-class fuel is required.
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Attentive observers will notice that the S3 shares its MQB platform and most mechanical devices with the new Volkswagen Golf R. So can we call the S3 the Golf R with a boot? Not exactly. VW has a little more power, is significantly more aggressive and has a slippery rear clutch that can distribute power from one side to the other for more fun when overturning. In addition, the R is available with a six-speed rod.
But what the Audi S3 delivers is a similar pace, a smoother ride and a less frustrating interface. This is a charming piece that does everything extremely well, from a luxury walk to eating backwards at a surprising pace. But heck, please choose a brighter color.
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