Autoblog

Review: 2009 MTM Audi A3 Sportback is a singular sport (with) utility

Chris Paukert — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Reviews

2009 MTM Audi A3 Sportback - Click above for high-res image gallery

In the automotive world, price is increasingly a function of degrees. How's that? Dial in a faster windscreen angle, aggressively rake the rear glass and - voilà! - you've just padded your margins to the tune of a few thousand bucks. Take a plain-jane sedan, hire some stylists to turn it into a "four-door coupe" with a racy greenhouse, and you can use the same mechanicals and still charge a mint. The same goes for crossovers - just steepen the backlight and you're in the ducats. Not convinced? See the Mercedes-Benz CLS and BMW X6 for field notes.

MTM is planning on selling only 15 of these in the U.S.

We note all of this because we're sure you're going to look at the upright profile of this MTM Audi A3 Sportback and dismissively turn up your nose when you learn its pricetag is around $55,000. But if we lopped off a couple of doors or gave it a less formal roofline, we'd be willing to bet that its price would suddenly look a lot more palatable. All of which is understandable, really, as $55k is a lot of coin to be shelling out - especially considering that at a few shekels over $27k, a base A3 starts at roughly half the money.

But shelve your bodystyle prejudices and bear with us for a moment. If you're like us, you've looked longingly at a lot of what the Four-Ringed Wunder has been kicking out on its home continent - models like the RS6 Avant, TT-RS and S3. And unless you've got some seriously deep pockets, an inside man on the gray market and a relative who owes you a favor at the local DMV, you haven't got a prayer of landing any such tasty treats here in the U.S. So while the folks at Motoren-Technik-Mayer (MTM) can't source you an assembly-line-fresh S3 for your middle-American driveway, they can build you a road-legal doppelganger, and as it turns out, that ain't half bad.

We've talked up the Audi A3's virtues and vices before, so we'll spare you the gab about how much we enjoy its well-resolved interior, grippy Quattro all-wheel drive, planted handling and surprising utility. We've also not been shy in mentioning how its price tag can get disastrously dear with just a brief once-over of Audi's options list - and that's before handing it over to a tuner like MTM. But enough with the apologies - ride along with us past the jump to see if this hot hatch is full of excuses... or full of win.

Gallery: Review: 2009 MTM Audi A3 Sportback

Continue reading Review: 2009 MTM Audi A3 Sportback is a singular sport (with) utility

Review: 2009 MTM Audi A3 Sportback is a singular sport (with) utility originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi to unveil RS3 in Frankfurt?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Performance, Hatchback, Audi

Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Frankfurt Motor Show is fast approaching with a slew of exciting debuts. And you can bet Audi will use the semi-annual home-turf show to debut some savory pieces of machinery, but just what those will be is still a matter of speculation. Earlier reports suggested the new A8 could bow in Frankfurt, along with ruminations of drop-top or even electric variants of the R8 supercar. But the latest reports indicate that Ingolstadt is secretly preparing the RS3 hot hatch for its close up.

Based on the A3 premium hatch, the RS3 would firmly upstage the existing S3 with the TT RS powerplant, only reportedly tuned up to as much as 400 horsepower. That's a lot of horses, but you can bet Audi's signature Quattro all-wheel-drive system would be up to the task. Frankfurt debut or not, this is one four-ringed circus we're looking forward to, whenever it's ready.

Gallery: Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept

[Source: Auto Motor & Sport (Swedish edition) via World Car Fans]

Audi to unveil RS3 in Frankfurt? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi S3 and S3 Sportback get S tronic dual-clutch trannies

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Budget, Technology, Hatchback, Audi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi S3 Sportback

Audi's five-door S3 and its Sportback sibling will now be able to benefit from the S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Mated to the 2.0-liter TSFI, you'll seamlessly shift from first all the way to sixth, with 265 hp on tap and 258 lb-ft. available from just 2,500 rpm. You'll also get even better gas mileage, with both cars registering 28 mpg, not to mention hitting sixty two-tenths of a second faster than would with a manual: 5.5 or 5.6 seconds depending on whether you're piloting the three- or five-door. The DCT is available now, and for better gas mileage, quicker shifts, and a quicker car... why wouldn't you?

Gallery: 2009 Audi S3 Sportback

Continue reading Audi S3 and S3 Sportback get S tronic dual-clutch trannies

Audi S3 and S3 Sportback get S tronic dual-clutch trannies originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi S3 gets 7-speed DSG

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Wagon, Europe, Hatchback, Audi

Click above for a high resolution gallery of the S3 Sportback

Audi made a bit of a splash earlier this year with the announcement that the new-for-'09 S3 would be available in either the three-door style or the more practical Sportback five-door hatch. Equipped with a high-pressure 2.0-liter turbo engine with 265-horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the S3 can scoot to sixty in just 5.5 seconds, all while getting nearly 30 miles per gallon. Making the most of that power is the firm's new seven-speed twin-clutch S-Tronic gearbox, which we've had nothing but good things to say about in its past six-speed incarnation. That gearbox will command a £1,450 premium over the standard manual transmission for our European friends. That price will also include twin steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, another first for the S3. Total cost for the three-door stands at £28,920, while £29,420 will get you an S3 with Sportback. Of course, Quattro all-wheel drive comes standard on both. Sadly, the whole S3 package is available only in Europe.

Gallery: 2009 Audi S3 Sportback

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi S3 gets 7-speed DSG

Audi S3 gets 7-speed DSG originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi unveils updated A3

Drew Phillips — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:02:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Hatchback, Audi

Click above for a high resolution gallery of the S3 Sportback

Audi has revealed the model updates for the European-spec 2009 A3 and S3. Both are slightly larger than the previous version, and the S3 is now available in the 5-door Sportback version. The front of the A3 receives a freshened look including a more complex design around the grille and more modern headlights with optional bi-xenon units that incorporate LEDs. At the rear there is a modified tailgate and the taillight design uses fiber optic rods to create a pretty cool effect. The interior features new aluminum design trim and new colors and fabrics for the seats, and the controls for the audio system have been given a new look. As for the powertrain, the Euro-only diesel engines have been reworked to include an updated fuel injection system. All engine options are now available with the S tronic transmission, and the 1.6, 1.4 TFSI and 1.8 TFSI engines can be paired with a newly developed seven-speed version.

Follow the jump for the full press release with all the details for the updated A3 and S3, and check out the galleries of each car below.

Gallery: 2009 Audi S3 Sportback

Gallery: 2009 Audi A3

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi unveils updated A3

Audi unveils updated A3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Abt Sportsline's 310-horsepower Audi S3

Alex Nunez — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 18:05:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Audi

Click image for gallery

The latest Deutsch treat from Abt Sportsline is a tuned Audi S3. As you're all well aware, there is no S3 here in the US, nor is there a plan to sell one. The US doesn't even get the 3-door A3 that the S is based on, anyway. European drivers will be able to hand their cars over to Abt Sportsline, which will juice up the potent 2.0 TFSI to an impressive 310 horses and 309 lb-ft of torque. Abt also upgrades the suspension and fits a sport exhaust and handsome 19-inch wheels. Understated looks, legit power, and deft handling are what Abt stirs into the pot with this S3, and that combo's usually a recipe for fun. Unfortunately, it's one Americans can't taste-test. Too bad, as the car's 5.4 second 0-62 time and 160 mph top end sound delicious.

[Source: Abt Sportsline]

Gallery: Abt S3

Continue reading Abt Sportsline's 310-horsepower Audi S3

Abt Sportsline's 310-horsepower Audi S3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Motor Show: Audi S3

Erin Mays — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Audi

Fans everywhere of the sporty A3 hatchback have even more reason to drool -- its wicked twin, the Audi S3, just launched in Paris, and we've got pictures to prove it, thanks to Autoblog's Eric Bryant.

With 265 turbocharged horses pumped out by one of Audi's new TFSI engines, this is one hot hatch to watch. A six-speed close-ratio manual gearbox puts the power to the road through Audi's signature quattro all-wheel drive system, and a beefed-up suspension system takes care of the handling. Sport seats characterize the interior, with aluminum accents and panel inlay options of piano finish black, more aluminum or birch wood grain. Upholstery is cloth/leather combo unless upgraded to all leather, and the orange is SWEET in this Autoblogger's humble opinion.

Styling is another notch above the A3, where an extended front fascia and 18-inch wheels make their mark. The only complaint we have is the rear end, which the vehicle shares with the A3 -- the tail lights lack the kind of inspiration seen in the Q7 and other siblings.

The benefits of owning an S3 don't come cheap -- the vehicle starts out at 35,150 euro, or $44,650.

Continue reading Paris Motor Show: Audi S3

Paris Motor Show: Audi S3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Sep 2006 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi hatches the new S3

Alex Nunez — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 12:24:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Audi

In our recent Sibling Rivalry series, the Audi A3 demonstrated that it is an extremely competent and fun little car, though dynamically it's oriented more towards luxury than pure street carving. This is not a bad thing at all. Audi is, after all, a luxury brand. When they decide to create a sports model, they start over again, badging the car with their "S" moniker and giving it an identity all its own.

Such is the case with the new S3, introduced today for the European market. Based on the three-door A3 that's not available in North America, this latest hot hatch from Audi brings the goods. Underhood, the 2.0 TFSI's new turbo plumbing and related engine tweaks bring power and torque up to 265 hp and 258 lb ft, significant increases over its A3 sibling (200 hp/207 lb ft). A shorter-throw six-speed manual sends that power to the ground via Audi's Quattro AWD system, while a lower, stiffer suspension gives the car handling characteristics in line with its "S" designation.

(Additional info, photos after the jump)

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi hatches the new S3

Audi hatches the new S3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Aug 2006 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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