New car is a wolf in sheep’s clothing

Here are five things you need to know about the Audi S3.

IT’S GOT PLENTY OF FANS

Aussies love their performance cars and the Audi S3 has been a red-hot success. More than 50,000 examples of the old version found a home Down Under.

Fans of the previous version won’t find much to complain about, as the new car brings sharp looks, more power and has a bountiful list of standard equipment.

Buyers can also choose between a hatchback or sedan body type.

Prices start at about $80,000 drive-away for the Sportback version and the sedan is about $82,000.

A WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING

To the casual observer the S3 doesn’t look very different from the standard A3.

It has slightly more aggressive styling, flashier wheels and a discreet S3 badge but there are few other clues as to what lurks beneath conservative sheet metal.

The S3 is powered by a version of the Volkswagen Group’s familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that is used in countless machines.

It’s been tuned to pump out 228kW and 400Nm, which is good enough to propel the S3 to 100km/h from a standstill in 4.8 seconds on the way to a top speed of 250km/h.

It comes with a fast shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that makes the most of the feisty engine’s deep power reserves.

All-wheel drive grip provides confidence in all conditions and its sharp, quick steering makes light work of a twisting strip of tarmac.

SAME, SAME BUT DIFFERENT

The S3 shares its mechanical underpinnings with the new Volkswagen Golf R, but the Audi feels more grown up, with well-rounded luxury appeal.

The VW is better suited to those who want extra performance on the track.

Where the VW has more power, bigger brakes and a torque vectoring differential for drifting, the Audi is packed with luxury kit to justify a $5000 premium.

A CLASSY PACKAGE

Multiple driving modes means the S3 is a car for all occasions, delivering genuine driving thrills while working superbly as a daily driver.

The S3’s well sorted suspension irons out imperfections on pockmarked city streets and road noise is kept to a minimum.

The cabin is impeccably finished in top-notch materials, with leather seats that are heated and electronically adjustable in the front. Ambient lighting with 30 different colours elevates the cabin at night time.

Some Audis have a long list of expensive options, including tech and creature comforts that are standard on cheaper, mainstream models, but the S3 is generously equipped.

The only optional extras package includes a panoramic sunroof, driver-seat memory function and head-up display.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE

Audi has kept a lot in reserve for its range-topping RS3.

This potent track weapon turns the dial all the way up with a five-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine making a whopping 294kW and 500Nm.

The extra power lowers its 0-100km/h sprint time to 3.8 seconds and raises its top speed to 290km/h.

It also adds a range of performance gear including a drift mode, sticky tyres and bigger brakes. The trade off is a price tag that sneaks into six figures.