Body | 4dr Hatch | 2dr Convertible | 4dr Sedan |
Wheelbase | 2,629 mm | 2,596 mm | 2,637 mm |
Length | 4,313 mm | 4,455 mm | 4,455 mm |
Width | 1,786 mm | 1,783 mm | 1,796 mm |
Height | 1,425 mm | 1,410 mm | 1,415 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,640 kg | 1,540 kg | 1,440 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 40 L | 50 L | 50 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 937 mm | 950 mm | 927 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,392 mm | 1,392 mm | 1,392 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,046 mm | 1,046 mm | 1,046 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 953 mm | 922 mm | 917 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,344 mm | 1,161 mm | 1,346 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 899 mm | 810 mm | 892 mm |
Total Legroom | 1,946 mm (over 2 rows) | 1,857 mm (over 2 rows) | 1,938 mm (over 2 rows) |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 280 L | 201 L | 348 L |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 1,119 L | 280 L | 348 L |
2016 Audi A3 / S3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
Same goes for rear seat room. The Audi S3's rear seat can be a tight fit for adults, especially if those in the front seats are tall. But at least most adults will fit. My adult-sized children rode in the back seat from Detroit to Nashville and back without complaining about the amount of space. (It helped that none of us are tall; I'm 5-9.) The back seat in the CLA provides far less room for heads and legs. Mercedes markets it as a coupe for a reason. see full Audi A3 / S3 review |
2016 Audi A3 / S3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2016 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 292hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual AWD |
very tight see full Audi A3 / S3 review |
Trim | A3 e-tron |
Standard Engine | turbocharged 1.4L I4 Plug-in Hybrid DOHC-4v 150 hp@5000 184 lb-ft@1600 |
Standard Transmission | 6-speed automated manual |
Standard Drivetrain | FWD |
Standard Tires | 205/55YR16 tires |
Optional Tires | 225/45HR17 tires |
  | 225/40HR18 tires |
Trim | A3 1.8 TFSI | A3 2.0 TFSI |
Standard Engine | turbocharged 1.8L I4 DOHC-4v 170 hp@4500 199 lb-ft@1600 | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 220 hp@4500 258 lb-ft@1600 |
Standard Transmission | 6-speed automated manual | 6-speed automated manual |
Standard Drivetrain | FWD | AWD |
Standard Tires | 225/45HR17 tires | 225/45HR17 tires |
Optional Tires | 225/40HR18 tires | 225/40HR18 tires |
  | 235/35YR19 tires | 235/35YR19 tires |
Trim | A3 1.8 TFSI | A3 2.0 TFSI | S3 |
Standard Engine | turbocharged 1.8L I4 DOHC-4v 170 hp@4500 199 lb-ft@1600 | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 220 hp@4500 258 lb-ft@1600 | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 292 hp@5400 280 lb-ft@1900 |
Standard Transmission | 6-speed automated manual | 6-speed automated manual | 6-speed automated manual |
Standard Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | AWD |
Standard Tires | 225/45HR17 tires | 225/45HR17 tires | 225/40YR18 tires |
Optional Tires | 225/40HR18 tires | 225/40HR18 tires | 225/40HR18 tires |
  | 235/35YR19 tires | 235/35YR19 tires | 235/35YR19 tires |
2016 Audi A3 / S3 Powertrain: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2016 | Judging from their specs, the 292-horsepower Audi S3 shouldn't accelerate nearly as quickly as the 375-horsepower (up 20 from the 2014-2015) Mercedes-AMG CLA45. But it does. In magazine testing the Audi lags only a few tenths behind. With a hard launch it can jump to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. This said, the Mercedes feels stronger. The Audi accelerates so smoothly, with so little in the way of sensation, that it's far too easy to overshoot your intended speed. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four has so much midrange grunt that on two-lane highways I felt no need to downshift below fourth for curves. And this said, you will encounter lag in the S3, especially at low speeds. The 220-horsepower engine used in the Audi A3 and VW GTI feels more responsive in typical daily driving. To get another 72 horsepower from 2.0 liters, the S3's engine must employ a larger, heavier turbo, and larger, heavier turbos take more time to spool up. At which point the more powerful engine does rocket away. The S3 has a dual-mode exhaust with a sport mode that might be entirely synthetic--engine noises are played through a speaker. It sounded synthetic to me. I didn't care for the sound and turned it off. The AMG engine sounds more authentically raw when wound out, in a good way. Both cars are offered only with dual-clutch automated manual transmission (DCT). The S3's has six gears, while the CLA's has seven. Transmissions of this type (DSG in VW/Audi parlance) can shift more quickly than other transmission types. When accelerating quickly, the Audi engine braps with each shift, and the AMG engine downright barks. When creeping along at parking lot speeds they (and especially that in the Mercedes) can feel less smooth than a conventional automatic, as they lack torque converters. They're also less engaging than a conventional, three-pedal manual. If you really want one of the latter with the S3's engine and chassis, check out the Volkswagen Golf R. see full Audi A3 / S3 review |
2016 Audi A3 / S3 Powertrain: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2016 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 292hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual AWD |
superfast with amazing handling and super quick dual clutch stronic transmission. much like in the 911. see full Audi A3 / S3 review |
None of our members have yet commented on the tires of the 2016 Audi A3 / S3.
Body | Trim | Base Price | Invoice | Destination |
4dr Hatch | A3 e-tron | 37,900 | 35,248 | 925 |
2dr Convertible | A3 1.8 TFSI | 36,600 | 34,038 | 925 |
2dr Convertible | A3 2.0 TFSI | 39,600 | 36,828 | 925 |
4dr Sedan | A3 1.8 TFSI | 30,900 | 28,738 | 925 |
4dr Sedan | A3 2.0 TFSI | 34,200 | 31,806 | 925 |
4dr Sedan | S3 | 42,500 | 39,527 | 925 |