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[Audi A3/S3] S3 performace differences...


Phil84afc
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Having test driven the new S3 I must say the power delivery is very different to that of my remapped S3's 265bhp.

What are peoples opinions that have driven both?

I thought the interior was absolutely fantastic in the new S3 but it didn't seem as fast to me.

My remapped S3 seems to have much more of a turbo punch but the new S3 almost felt like it was supercharged, i.e. there wasn't really that punch, it felt much more progressive and didn't push my head back into the seat as much.

The guy even let me rag it up to 100 but it didn't bowl me over I must say.

Azure and RobS3 what did you think?

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Have you ever driven an Impreza Sti?

The Standard car is 265ps (261bhp ish) and if you floor it you get a head slapped back into seat moment as all hell breaks loose. If you upgrade the power and add PPP* this gives the car 305PS. What you will notice is the almighty rush of power has been flattened out and the car is smoother and more progressive. Some even say it feels slower, one look at the speedo will convince you otherwise.

I suspect that the differences are down to the ecu map plus there are obvious differences in terms of turbo, engine cc and gearing.

*For those that don't know - PPP (Prodrive Performance Pack) is a warrantied upgrade available from the dealer amd is developed for all Impreza (and Forester) Turbo models by Prodrive.

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This is interesting because for 2 days I have a 1.8T A4 loan car, my daily is the the 2.0T

The 1.8 engine is dead below 3000rpm and feels very strained when revving, at idle the whole car vibrates! and I find myself constantly having to change down. I think the 2l engine in 200ps form shows the advances in engine design over a period of 10 years showing that you can make a really torquey engine with power across the rev range. I suspect that the S3 is nothing nothing bang and the 'bang' feels fast, but around that power window its dead, well not literally but not quick.

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[ QUOTE ]

I suspect that the S3 is nothing nothing bang and the 'bang' feels fast, but around that power window its dead, well not literally but not quick.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly how I feel about my unmapped (210) S3.

Had a trial with the Revo 5hr trial. Very smooth, torquey in any gear and power on tap the instant it was required.

Would love a new S3 test drive for comparison.

New Years resolution.

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[ QUOTE ]

interesting observations Phil. I seem to remember some reviews saying the turbo boost was a little 'sudden' on the new car?

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I didn't think so, but then my last 5 cars have been Imprezas and one Evolution wink.gif. In comparison to my last car (Sti PPP) it was a similar power delivery, progressive from low revs right up to 6500k plus. Was very impressed with the drive, impressed enough to order one.

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Many articles have said that both engines 2.0T and S3 2.0T hardly feel like they are turbo charged.

My 2.0T certainly doesn't and it never feels like its out of the power band. Press the throttle at low revs and it starts flying there is no waiting. I suspect the S3 is similar to this I haven't driven one yet.

There is a torque curve pic in this forum probably from ages ago that showed how much more the 2.0T had compared to the old 1.8T 225 across almost all the rev range and it tails off early in the 1.8T and it doesn't really in the 2.0T.

Put old and new S3 side by side even remapped and I'm willing to bet that the new car would be far quicker more of the time than the old one. 169144-ok.gif

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Phil, I think the the difference is probably down to the turbo. The turbo on your remapped S3 is obviously working that bit harder than on the new S3 in standard form therefore with your turbo in that state of tune it probably seems more punchy and instant.

I would imagine this is exacerbated by the new S3 being so smooth with it's delivery. Don't get me wrong it punches through the gears like you wouldn't believe but I think a better description for it is 'a surge' rather than 'a kick'.

I don't subscribe to the idea that the new S3 doesn't have turbo lag, in my opinion it does but because the delivery is so smooth and the turbo rush so seamless you simply don't notice it and to be honest it's very hard to drive this car under 2500rpm anyway! laugh.gif

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When I drive my mate's 1.8 TT (180) it feels totally dead then, everything all at once - hard work but fun. My 2.0T A3 must be pretty similar in terms of overall performance, but I just get steady, easy to use, power all the time wherever the revs are up to - when someone has a go I'm never in the wrong gear!

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I've driven both cars, and the first S3 in revo'd state of tune as well.. I recentally had the "old" shape S3 for a weekend, and then the new S3 for the rest of the week. it was nice to be able to drive both back to back. I disagree with previous posts with respect to the new S3 (not being able to feel the turbo) I personally think that it's very apparent the car is turbo charged. There is lag, but not much. Because it's more torquey than the previous model, I guess it picks up at low revs better, then goes some when the turbo cuts in. The old model was slower at low revs, but then gave you the kick. Coming out of medium tight corners in the new S3- when you nail the throttle again at the exit, you can feel the turbo cut in again. I prefer the new S3's drive, and power delivery, much more so than the old S3.

I always found that I was giving the old shape real abuse to keep it in the power band....it's rewarding, but is rev happy in the sense that you need to keep changing down, getting high revs to make the car really perform. It's hard work really..

The new S3 pulls like a train, and is very fast (trust me!!). It's an easier car to drive everyday....but I do understand that it may not be as "involving" as the old shape S3.

For me, the new S3 is a truely fantastic car, and i can't really fault it in any department (I even agree with the way it's styled).

not sure the point i'm trying to make here.....but thought i'd post anyway!!

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I drive both engined cars regularly although the 2.0T is only in 200 form. For me the 2 are very similar until around 4.5-5k. The 2.0 then seems to fade (or at least not get any more powerful) whilst the 1.8T keeps on going. Torque curves are almost identical until then.....guess thats where the 1.8 gets its extra 25bhp from.

A bigger engine would though, I'd imagine, be running either smaller turbos or less boost to hit the same figures. Especially as its a far newer engine.

Below that both seem just at fast and effortless. 2.0T does sound better though.

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[ QUOTE ]

I drive both engined cars regularly although the 2.0T is only in 200 form. For me the 2 are very similar until around 4.5-5k. The 2.0 then seems to fade (or at least not get any more powerful) whilst the 1.8T keeps on going. Torque curves are almost identical until then.....guess thats where the 1.8 gets its extra 25bhp from.

A bigger engine would though, I'd imagine, be running either smaller turbos or less boost to hit the same figures. Especially as its a far newer engine.

Below that both seem just at fast and effortless. 2.0T does sound better though.

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Trust me in the S3 it does not run out of steam at 5,000 RPM that is about 1,000 RPM after the fireworks have just started and it does not tail off until the rev limiter kicks in. In the demo one I drove I hit the rev limiter twice without realising as there was not fade in power.

Comparing the 1.8T with the 2.0T regardless of BHP format is interesting. The 1.8T is a great engine but it is very corse and the vibrations it gives at high revs are not acceptable for a modern car, that saif it was designed in 1995. The 2.0T in comparsion is much smoother, and quiter in the cabin. I cant believe the lack of vibartion from the engine in the S3, the mrs asked the other day if it was running whilst stopped at the lights and the music on smirk.gif So when they went green I floored it in first and 2nd up to about 5,200 rpm then asked her if she thought it was running tongue.gif

Exact words from her, "This car is an wolf in sheeps clothing, do it again grin.giftongue.gif

Anyway ECLIPSe.gifsmlove2.gif

AZ

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