Performance Review: Audi A3 S3 2.0T - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A3 S3 2.0T is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.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 All Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1455 kgs (3207 lbs) this makes the Audi A3 S3 2.0T in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A3 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 1984cc 16V St4 engine produces 261 bhp (194 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 258 lb-ft (349.8 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 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 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8 (204.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A3.

The Audi A3 has a Power to weight ratio of 179.3 bhp per ton and 177.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 A3 competing with the 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8 (204.3 bhp per ton) or the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (204.2 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 177.3 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 2006 Mercedes G Class G 55 AMG Kompressor (202.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Porsche Cayman S 3.4 (202.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.8 secs, this made the Audi A3 S3 2.0T as fast as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs). This Audi A3 S3 2.0T is also faster than the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the and the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 265 DSG (5.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A3 and the 2012 Lexus LS 460 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 13.97 secs @ 97.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Lexus LS 460 4.6 V8 (13.90 secs), the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260 (13.92 secs), and the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (13.93 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Audi A3 S3 2.0T has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 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 2008 Audi A3 S3 2.0T 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:

2008 A3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison