Performance Review: Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback - [2016]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2016. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 6.2 V8 and the 2016 Bugatti Chiron 8.0 W16 Quad Turbo.This particular Audi A3 has a 1984cc 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 Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1505 kgs (3317 lbs) this makes the Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A3 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 1984cc 16V St4 engine produces 306 bhp (228 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 280 lb-ft (379.6 Nm) @ 1850 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 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 2002 Honda NSX R 3.2 V6 (228.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A3.

The Audi A3 has a Power to weight ratio of 203.3 bhp per ton and 186.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2016 A3 competing with the 2002 Honda NSX R 3.2 V6 (228.3 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Mercedes A Class 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo (228.2 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 186.0 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 Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Classic 22B (211.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1969 Lamborghini Islero 400 GTS (210.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.3 secs, this made the Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback as fast as the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (5.10 secs) the or the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs). This Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback is also faster than the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (5.20 secs) the and the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A3 and the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Audi A3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.79 secs @ 99.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8 (13.72 secs), the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (13.72 secs), and the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup (13.73 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2016 version of the Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2016 A3 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2016 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2016 A3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison