A Whole Different Music
The Audi A3 does not need any introduction: it is one of the best-selling hatchbacks in the world and its success is due to a young style, interiors worthy of a higher priced car and the multitude of possibilities selectable from the list, both in terms of set-up and engines. The S3 is the sports car for everyone, less expensive and extreme than the RS3 (only available with 5 doors), but equally entertaining and performing, uniting the practicality of a daily compact to numbers of a proper sports car. But what is lacking in the 300 hp 2.0cc turbo? An adequate soundtrack, that’s what.
“The four-wheel drive, a latest generation Haldex, behaves like a real all wheel drive, finally”, this is one of the key points on which Luigi, owner of the car of our review, likes to refer most. You can feel that while driving it hard, that is true, and the understeer that on the previous model was more pronounced, seems to be a distant memory. The S-Tronic 7-speed gearbox shoots a gear after the other with the inevitable air puff coming out of the tailpipes, which thanks to the care of 330 Racing finally has a new voice, gaining points not only in terms of decibels, but also of involvement for anyone at the wheel. This S3 is fitted with a full 76 mm diameter exhaust, with a 200 cell sports cat and a new pair of mufflers, which keep the same shape (with four outputs), but does not hide a more fierce sound. The car goes better, mumbles at low revs and shouts like a bear caught in a trap as soon as the tachometer needle starts to climb. These are the things that make you want to consume the fuel tank in a matter of hours.
Then you stop, turn off the engine and look at those sharp lines, so precise and without any burring. The OZ alloy wheels and the grey paint contrasting the chrome profiles, do not hide the true nature of a great little car that can keep up with much more expensive and showy performance models. You will always be satisfied with an S3, and then if you decide to get your hands on it (or under), from remapping the ECU, the exhaust system and everything else, you can safely reach exaggerated powers.
The only upgrade that Luigi (so far) decided to do is his business card: the sound, now made incisive and recognizable at distance. Maybe, his neighbors won’t be happy for that, but again, after having tested in first person another 330 Racing’s work, a properly Made in Italy product, we can confirm that the high quality of a work is the best way for taking care of your car.