Interior and techThe S3’s cabin is largely similar to that of the regular A3 saloon. That might be a disappointment for some, though the A3’s interior is hardly a bad starting point for a sportier variation – the Audi TT-styled ringed vents, simple cabin architecture and clear instrumentation is pleasant enough for day-to-day duties.
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Details that separate the S3 from standard A3s are subtle. The Nappa leather-trimmed, bolstered seats are the most apparent alteration. There’s also a flat-bottomed steering wheel with S3 badging, grey dials (again bearing the S3 script, as well as a light-up boost gauge) and a smattering of brushed aluminium and stainless steel.
All will appreciate Audi’s attention to build quality however, and the cabin is a paragon of ergonomic design – wheel, pedals and seat align perfectly and there’s enough adjustment in the steering wheel and driver’s seat to find the ideal driving position. Noise levels in the cabin are also low – the wide tyres do intrude slightly, but engine noise is low and there’s barely a whisper of wind noise at higher speeds.
All S3s feature an electrically retracting infotainment display, through which audio and navigation functions can be observed. Audi’s MMI interface, with a scroll wheel and touchpad, makes accessing the car’s functions easy.
