Meet the Audacious Audi S3
AT a glance, the 2014 Audi S3 Sportback may resemble the Audi A3, but that’s were the commonality ends.
With a lowered sport suspension and roguishly dashing 18-inch wheels, the S3 Sportsback is more aggressive, leaner and packs a helluva punch. Powered by a turbo-charged two-litre, four-cylinder engine, it produces a whopping 280 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, routed to all four wheels via Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The S-tronic-equipped S3 sprints from 0–60 mph in 4.6 seconds and ‘maxes out’ at 155 mph.
Simply put, this is one hot hatchback!
“It offers best-in-class performance… It’s sporty, versatile and progressive,” Etus Collman, Audi brand manager, told guests at the S3’s Jamaican debut held at ATL Automotive’s state-of-the-art Audi terminal on Oxford Road in Kingston on Wednesday.
“It’s for anyone who wishes to get something in the premium segment that offers fun and excitement,” said Collman.
A shiny grille trim, front intake accents, more aggressive body kit, black-painted brake calipers, and a mean-looking quad exhaust pipes make the S3 a standout from the competition.
“Those four tailpipes do tell a story,” Collman said of the Audi S3.
Inside the cockpit, the two-toned leather bucket seats offer comfort and elegance, while Audi’s Drive Select drive-mode selector offers up Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, or Efficiency modes.
This top-of-the-line model comes standard with LED headlights and taillights.
At $7.5 million, the new Audi S3 definitely gives bang for your buck.
Sam McKenzie, ATL Automotive general manager, said he was proud of living true to his company’s mandate by giving the customers more than they expect.
“It has been nearly four years since ATL Automotive began distributing the brand in Jamaica. Last year, we introduced the 2013 Car of the Year — the Audi A3 Sportback. This evening we are pleased to present the most high-performing model in the A3 family,” he told guests.
The general manager also said Audi sales figures last year were encouraging.
“We have been blessed with growth year after year in keeping with international trends. Last year, the brand grew 9.3 per cent locally. Internationally, it was another record year as the brand grew by 8.3 per cent, delivering more than 1.7 million units worldwide. Audi also became the number one selling premium brand in the UK for the first time,” McKenzie added.