Performance Review: Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro - [1999]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1999. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Audi A3 has a 1781cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The A3 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the A3's All Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1375 kgs (3031 lbs) this makes the Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro in the same weight category as the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A3 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1781cc 20V St4 engine produces 210 bhp (156 kW) @ 2800 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 199 lb-ft (269.8 Nm) @ 2100 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Audi A3 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 260 (177.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A3.

The Audi A3 has a Power to weight ratio of 152.7 bhp per ton and 144.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1999 A3 competing with the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 260 (177.5 bhp per ton) or the 1968 Jensen Interceptor FF 6.3L V8 (177.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Audi A3 generating around 144.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (169.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Ford Focus 2.5 ST-2 (169.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.6 secs, this made the Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the or the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs). This Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro is also faster than the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the and the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A3 and the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8

When talking about the performance of the Audi A3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.75 secs @ 92.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8 (14.70 secs), the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 2.8T V6 VXR (14.70 secs), and the 2004 Honda S2000 2.2i (14.72 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1999 version of the Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro has a maximum speed of 145mph.

Top Speed of the 1999 A3 equals the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1999 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro then how about the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph), the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (156 mph), or the 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR (156 mph).

Related Links:

1999 A3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison