Test drive Audi S3 1999 - 2001 hatchback

Yellow comet

In March of this year, one of the missing links appeared in a chain of four rings. Exclusive, elegant and sports Audi S3.
Actually, the small middle class from Audi is already quite remarkable. Until 1996, there was no such class in the model range of such a class. It is possible that all that is happening of the plan to tug of potential buyers of machines of other venerable manufacturers to their side. Including those who are looking in a compact car not just a convenient, inexpensive and practical means of transportation, but the ability to realize their sports ambitions or satisfy adrenaline hunger. And at the same time, do not stand out from the total mass. The appearance in the range of Audi S3 can be considered another confirmation.
A MAGNETIC FIELD. Looking at this car, you recall the statement of Leonardo da Vinci: only the strokes are distinguished from the mortal. There are few of them. The wheel arches expanded by 28 mm, which housed 17-inch low-profile wheels on the AVUS six-spoke forged, completely painted in the color of the body slightly modified bumpers. In the front, small fog Lenses are integrated. Plus almost the entire width of the front bumper and half of its heights of the air intake.
The form of headlights is very traditional, if not conservative Audi does not suffer from tendencies to the new -fangled elaboration of optics. But the content is the most modern, for the S-series in all its modifications, xenon is the standard.
The picture is completed by a small elegant anti -wing on the cut of the rear door and expressive chrome pipe pipes. Here, in fact, is everything that distinguishes the appearance of a charged Eska from the standard A3. Restrained, intelligent, if you want aristocratic. But this is already enough to suspect such a meek appearance of a cool fighter
The core of comets. Therefore, we will not waste time studying appearance. For cars like S3, it is far from the main thing. There are more important details and, of course, character. Turn the ignition key, and a distinct bass rocker occurs. Unobtrusively, quietly and very impressive. There is no doubt that 210 hot horses of Bavarian blood, backed up by a high pressure turbine, will be enjoyed in full.
And there is. Released, they produce an effect comparable partly with what the hero of the notorious story of Jules Verne, who went from a gun to the moon, felt. But, unlike an uncontrollable projectile, these horses are sensitive to the slightest changes in gas pedal. They freeze in order to explode elastic and powerful energy at the next moment and in a matter of seconds to overcome a fair piece of asphalt space.
The initial torque of the motor is quite high, and the maximum, at 270 nm, is reached already at 2100 rpm, and this value is maintained at an unchanged level up to 5000 revolutions. Similar characteristics have become possible thanks to the use of a new structure with a reduced inertia, as well as a new configuration of the intake path, which creates the so -called effect of the falling stream of pumped air. Plus, a new electronic engine control system, providing optimal boiling pressure in any position of the damper, the system of changed phases of gas distribution, direct ignition and other technical tricks.
Hence the flat, powerful and constant thrust in any modes, energetic pickups from almost any speed and in any gear. So, for example, for a jerk in the fourth gear from 50 km/h to 80 km/h S3, only 4.7 seconds are required, and from 80 to 120 km/h 7.7 seconds. In practice, this means that the machine has very wide possibilities for maneuvers, overtaking and rebuilding, especially high -speed.
Mystical train. Full contact and understanding with the car give great pleasure. The seats are so convenient, the controls are honed and obedient, the steering wheel is communicative, the checkpoint works clearly; All S3 reactions to your actions are so accurate that at some point a completely mystical feeling of identification of a car with your own body arises.
But in essence, no mysticism. The work of the main units is just like that: a full -wheel drive with an interdosseous differential of a multi -disk electronic coupling Haldex, which constantly maintains the mode of the most optimal redistribution of torque, depending on the situation, which helps the machine steadily keeping the course. The electronic self -locking differential makes sure that there is no wheel slip. Steel bones and muscles-spring suspension carefully monitor the relief of the road, trying to ensure that each wheel at each moment has a maximum contact spot. Sensitive and accurate brakes with an electronic system of distribution of effort effectively do their job.
Attempts to simulate an abnormal road situation like a pedestrian who suddenly jumped in front of you, sharply slowed down a truck or unexpectedly damped ahead of the rolled rings, did not lead to an extraordinary, except for the explosion of the emotions of our wonderful photographer, which, like a large ball, flew from one corner of the car to another to another. . The car remained completely under control, and it turned out that in a more or less real situation, provoking it to uncontrolled behavior is very difficult. If only under the wheels is not clean ice or your speed above 100 km/h experiment, however, we do not advise. The highway, as you know, is not space, but S3 will obey only a skilled and experienced driver.
In fairness, we still note that the suspension, although it is not in the full sense of the words tough, is uncomfortable for most of Russian roads. Of course, seals from the teeth will not fly out, but if you want to ride quickly, you will not particularly relax. The guilt of the car is there is no consequence of the interaction of a short -flowing suspension and a very sensitive steering with all kinds of hollows, ribs, hillocks and cavities, which are so replete with even at first glance highway. That is, 180200 is still normal, and then it starts to strain
Microcosm. Everything that happens is unthinkable without an appropriate interior. Everything is in order here. AUDI index speaks not only about charge, but also about the level of comfort and the number of options in standard configuration. Leather or, as an option, leather and alcantara. Luxurious, perfectly ergonomic genuine Recaro for the driver and passenger, as well as
In fact, it is easier to list what is not: there is no longitudinal electrical adjustment of the front seats, there is no heating of the rear, in either massage or ventilation, there is no electric drive adjusting the steering column. Well, perhaps the rain sensor on wipers and everything else that is considered to be the most complete configuration in the standard. Including four airbags and pyrotechnic devices of belts. By the way, do not believe in the impudent advertising of some notorious manufacturers their product in this security class is by no means unique. Audi A3 and S3, according to the NCAP classification, also have the highest security score four stars.
 
Text Andrey Timofeev, photo Alexey Ilyin
 

Source: "Autopilot"