Performance Review: Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro - [2002]

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 2002. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 and the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3.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 1420 kgs (3130 lbs) this makes the Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged 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 225 bhp (167 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 207 lb-ft (280.6 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 1958 Aston-Martin DB4 1958 (183.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A3.

The Audi A3 has a Power to weight ratio of 158.4 bhp per ton and 145.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2002 A3 competing with the 1958 Aston-Martin DB4 1958 (183.4 bhp per ton) or the 1994 Toyota Celica GT Four ST205 (183.4 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 145.7 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 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (170.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2001 BMW 7 Series 745i Auto (170.6 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 2007 Honda S2000 2.2 Type S

When talking about the performance of the Audi A3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.56 secs @ 93.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Honda S2000 2.2 Type S (14.50 secs), the 2011 Ford Focus Wagon ST (14.50 secs), and the 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport 2d (14.52 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2002 version of the Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro has a maximum speed of 151mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 A3 equals the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (162 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2002 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro then how about the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (162 mph), the 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo (162 mph), or the 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo (162 mph).

Related Links:

2002 A3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison