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Audi : Audi S3
Photo : Audi AG
A characteristic of all Audi's S models is their original, sporting yet restrained styling. The strongly shaped wheel arches increase the S3's width to 1,763 mm. Its powerful appearance is further emphasised by the large air intakes in the specially shaped bumpers. The standard xenon headlights behind their clear glass covers and the fog lights integrated into the front skirt emphasise the dynamic qualities of the S3. The 17-inch "Avus" cast aluminium wheels give the car a unified appearance in side view. The 225/45 R 17 W tyres ensure that the car appears worthy of the "S" range in every respect and, in combination with the quattro drive, provide outstanding traction and braking. The car's sports suspension, its overall height of 1,415 mm and a roof spoiler that blends perfectly into the car's outlines make the S3 look particularly compact. The tail pipes made of high-grade stainless steel are another striking feature. In addition to the colours familiar from the A3, there are two new colours with a sporting look for the S3: Absolute red, at no extra charge, and Imola yellow at extra charge.
There is a choice of three different materials, the standard Jacquard Satin or, at extra charge, a combination of Alcantara and silk nappa leather or silk nappa leather alone, plus five different colours for the interior. Together with the ergonomic, 3-spoke leather-covered sports steering wheel and the high-gloss appliqué trim, the grey dials of the instrument panel lend the interior a special ambience. The standard equipment list includes the FIS driver information system with Auto-Check Control and on-board computer, an anti-theft alarm system that monitors the interior, remote central locking and illuminated vanity mirrors in both sun visors. High-quality optional extras include automatic air conditioning, three different audio installations, various telephone systems and a navigation system. The heart of the S3 is the 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which provides a maximum torque of 270 Nm at just 2,100 rpm. This is maintained right up to 5,000 rpm and allows powerful acceleration and top-class flexibility in every situation. The Audi S3 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds and takes just 11.5 seconds to go from 60 to 120 km/h in fifth gear. Power is delivered without noticeable turbine lag right from the bottom of the engine-speed range, reaching a maximum of 154 kW (210 bhp) at 5,800 rpm. Fuel consumption is 9.1 litres/100 km (overall consumption according to 93/116/EU). The engine meets the EU III D emission limits.
Photo: Audi AG The standard 6-speed gearbox with its short travel and precise changes allows the driver of the Audi S3 to make optimum use of the car's turbo power. As on the Audi TT quattro, power is distributed between the front and rear wheels by a hydraulic multi-plate clutch. Quattro permanent four-wheel drive in combination with an electronic differential lock (EDS) at the front ensures optimum traction under all conditions. The special, slightly lowered, configuration of the sports suspension so typical of Audi provides the occupants with an unusually comfortable ride for a vehicle set up to give sports performance. At the front there is McPherson-strut suspension with newly developed forged wishbones, new guide joints with thicker pivots, new cast-steel pivot bearings and special suspension geometry for rock-steady wheel alignment. The independent suspension at the rear, with single trailing arms and double wishbones, is a space-saving design with separate springs and shock absorbers, the latter being arranged at an angle to the vertical. The useful configuration of its load space, which has a volume of 270 litres that can be increased to 1,020 litres by folding down the rear seat back (split 1/3 to 2/3), makes the Audi S3 a particularly practical car. The low-fade brakes with ventilated discs front and rear provide first-class braking when necessary. The driver also has the assistance of a powerful ABS system with integral Electronic Brake Pressure Distribution (EBD). Like the A3 - which received the maximum four stars in the demanding Euro NCAP crash test in May 1998 - the Audi S3 meets Audi's high safety standards. In addition to its numerous active safety components, the Audi S3 offers outstanding protection to its occupants, with driver and front-seat passenger airbags and side airbags at the front, pyrotechnical seat belt pre-tensioners for all four lap-and-shoulder belts, belt-force limitation at the front and high-strength side-impact protection bars made of aluminium in the doors. The Audi S3 will be available in Germany from spring 1999, at a list price starting at 56,800 German Marks.
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