Option "S"

Premiere Audi S3, Audi's smallest model in the sports performance, took place in Geneva this spring. Produced cars is not much - is already doing an exclusive S3. But not only that ... On the tiled floor showroom Audi S3 seems a little toy, probably because of lush yellow body and a modest size, but a broad, low-profile 17-inch tires on sport polished alloy wheels and swollen fenders hint at a hot temper Volkswagen is famous for its ability to mashiny.Kontsern build from the same "building blocks" cars of different brands and classes. Hatchback Audi S3 - is one example. It is believed that his "mechanics" was created based on the coupe TT, based on, albeit with significant alterations, the model A3, which, in turn, is built on a platform Golf IV. Can be considered in another way: S3 - sports version A3. "Bricks" are the same, but they give different shifting rezultaty.Vneshne S3 A3 differs from the more massive bumpers that reduce the visual and so slightly lower ride height, bulging wheel arches, wheels and larger size, of course, like all sports family Audi, - a small flag with the letter "S" on the grille. The large intake slot front bumper mounted fog, and from under the rear sticking two exhaust pipes. Muffler, however, one size and shape similar to the gas tank - a powerful engine is loud. The car graced the small spoiler at the top of the rear stekla.Interer serious and respectable, trim elements of color reminiscent of fashion in recent years carbon fiber. Recaro leather seat upholstery. Adjust ride height and angle of the electrical lumbar support just wonderful, there is a heater. I tried to get into the "second row": the front seats move easily on the sled, lean back, forward ... Rear passengers will be a little cramped, but comfortable enough. These services - head restraints, seat belts and clothing pockets into which abut koleni.Sportivny steering wheel has two degrees of freedom. Shaped cake, with its bumps and pits provides a comfortable grip. Behind her, in the depths - Arrow devices, tachometer and speedometer in the implanted hours and - accordingly - the odometer. The tachometer red zone begins around seven thousand rpm. In the center panel - display-board computer with a diagnostic machine units. Ruby glow of the dashboard harmonizes well with the black door armrests obivkoy.Na - the buttons and windows elektroregulirovok mirrors. Vnutrisalonnoe mirror - Antidazzle, with the sensor glare. "Soundtracks" - radio, four speakers and Bose is in the boot CD-changer for six discs. Under the radio is located socket control climate control system with temperature indicators on the outside and inside avtomobilya.Bezopasnost owner and front passenger airbags provide four, and for the safety of the vehicle meets the alarm system with immobilizer, interior sensor control and central locking doors, trunk and hatch gas tank. Save in one piece bumpers help system for measuring distance - a dangerous convergence of backing from the curb or another vehicle fires zummer.Pod hood showed an old acquaintance - a turbocharged 4-cylinder 20-valve engine of 1.8 liters. It is used for VW Golf, and Audi A3, and Audi TT, posing as a function of modification 150, 180 and even 225 hp In the version installed on S3, the engine has "only" 210 hp - The car would be worthless to compete with the coupe TT.Pochti the same characteristics had the motor tuned for Golf GTi, which we liked a year ago ("Action" # 1-2, 1999). Even in combination with front-wheel drive and a five-speed gearbox, he brought a lot of positive emotions driving - and then another, and all-wheel drive and six gears! Six-speed I personally met for the first time. Progress arm in sports short, precise fixation, but the control box requires a certain habits. Gear ratios close to each other - can be plenty enough of a lever in an attempt to find the zone of maximum torque. And in the end it did not find it. It seems that the motor is still, what a gear: the urban driving mode can drive the engine to redline in second or third - to pull it would be equally happy and confident, and miles per hour at 50 you can stick a fifth or even sixth on the roll. Turboyama not there. "Blame" throughout the torque curve, which from 2100 to 5000 rev / min. is a flat shelf. And since supply more than enough - 270 Nm.Rulevoe control with good feedback, 2.75 click-to-turn click - to intercept the wheel accounts for less. The pedals are spaced well, the clutch is clearly migrated from model A3 - the same long-travel soft and that the sports car is seen a strange (but can be used.) Suspension quite hard, but for such a car is quite comfortable. With increasing speed, the situation is even better - excellent handling makes us forget about some sort of pushes the irregularities. Brakes (ventilated discs on all wheels) to cope with its task perfectly, ABS behaves korrektno.Na direct S3 behaves like a front-wheel - easy and fast vystrelivaya on slippery surfaces (the draft is no worse than on dry pavement). In turns the machine is operated as a RWD and can pass them with a controlled skid. The yield of side-slip as recalled rear wheel drive, but made much easier. The car itself as it seeks to stabilize the exchange rate ... back to the city. Weather - could not be worse, snowing. Under the wheels - the squelching mud, a crust of ice. Drivers could hardly go, afraid of their machines in the snowy slush bad listening teams. Every now and then crash. Two, three or even five cars are in groups. Reason says that the drive would not be necessary, but not to drive when under the hood more than two hundred horses, and is controlled by the machine is not less than on pure asphalt? Summer tires at times trying to slide and skid, but the cause is taken immediately electronics, the driver can only be proud of yourself - that is, they say, what I done, how well I cope with male delom.Pozhaluy the most deceptive in the Audi S3 - looks. Seeing the car for the first time, a young enthusiast drivers for certain shiver with anticipation: more behind the wheel - and how to spur! We emphasize the young. It will probably disappointed - to take advantages of the power unit for the Audi S3 shortcomings. What usually stands for sport, charged model? A notable pickup engine at high speeds, sharp sound of the engine, the need to continuously wield the lever box ... Nothing like in the S3 is not, and because of this it seems that the car is not so athletic. Error! What is needed to assess the car at its true worth? An inexperienced pilot, being deprived of (for example, in the clouds, when the ground is not visible) the usual landmarks, losing the "feel horizon." In contrast, experienced, capable to "feel" since using only instruments. And in the S3 - quite properly, "feel" the behavior of speedometer, and everything will fall into mesta.Pravilno appreciate Audi S3 driver rather older, cold, calculating, which makes everything for sure, calmly and professionally - has qualities in harmony with nature Audi S3 avtomobilya.Eksklyuzivny this may not be sold easily, by reservation only. (By the way, yellow, Imola Yellow, - the only one for which it is necessary to pay extra.) But it's there with them. Russia is - exceptional. Pay $ 35,000 - and take away.