autocar with details of the s3

[Eaton Dave <dave.eaton@minedu.govt.nz>]

quoted from autocar....

dave
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q

	"Audi is poised to rocket to the top of the hot hatch ranks next
summer with the 150mph-plus S3.  The exciting turbo-charged
four-wheel-drive hatch will throw down the gauntlet to supercar slayers
such as the Subaru Impreza Turbo and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V when it
makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March.  UK sales are
expected to start in the summer.  The price has not been set, but
insiders say it will have a £4000 premium over the £19,000 A31.8T.
	The S3, which aims to rekindle the spirit of Audi's scorching
early '90s Coupe S2 and the legendary Quattro, is based on a heavily
modified A3 platform that is also used by the forthcoming TT coupe and
roadster.  Caught here in production- ready form for the first time, the
S3 has been developed as a pure, focused performance car.  It is
distinguished from its lesser A3 siblings by a host of subtle visual
upgrades that help to make the S3's stance more aggressive.  Under the
bonnet is an uprated version of the base TT's 180bhp 1.8-litre
turbo-charged four-cylinder engine with five valves per cylinder.  Its
output is a closely guarded secret, but insiders indicate that our
earlier estimate of 210 bhp is close to the mark.  This is achieved by
adding a large intercooler and screwing up the turbocharger to deliver
greater boost levels.  
	Channelling the power to the ground is a new four-wheel drive
system developed by Swedish specialist Haldex.  Recently unveiled in the
new Volkswagen Golf 4motion, the multi-plate system re- places Audi and
VW's current systems and is capable of continuously altering the torque
split between the front and rear wheels.  The added traction results in
a O-6O mph time in the low 6 sec bracket, while meaty torque helps push
the top speed to l55mph.
	Along with the new engine and four-wheel drive system, the S3
also benefits from heavily modified rear suspension using twin
transverse links and a lateral radius arm with separate spring and
damper units to save space.  Mated to standard 7.5x17in alloys, it
provides greater scope for fine tuning for more progressive handling on
the limit.  And the S3 benefits from upgraded brakes with big discs and
race track-honed callipers.  The S3 has a large front bumper with
enlarged cooling ducts, increased flaring over the wheel arches, a
spoiler above the hatch to smooth airflow and a small extension to the
bottom of the rear bumper.  
	Audi plans to unleash the S3 at the same time as a new A3 model
called the 1.8T Plus.  Not yet confirmed for the UK, it uses the same
mechanical ingredients as the current A3 1.8T but gains a revised
management system from Audi's factory-backed quattro GMBH division which
liberates an extra 30bhp for an output of 180bhp.  The new engine is set
to makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September in the base
version of the TT.

	The new S3, A3 1.8T Plus and TT coupe are among a battery of new
Audis planned for the next 12 months.  They include facelifts for the A4
and flagship A8, a four-door version of the A3, the Porsche
Boxster-chasing TT roadster, a V8-powered A6 and a fiery 400 bhp-plus
twin-turbo V8 quattro S6 aimed at the new BMW M5 and Merc E55."
	By Greg Kable