Performance Review: Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible - [2014]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2014. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2015 Koenigsegg Regera 5.0 V8 Turbo and the 2015 Koenigsegg Agera RS 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Audi A3 has a 1984cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The A3 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the A3's All Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1695 kgs (3736 lbs) this makes the Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A3 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 1984cc 16V St4 engine produces 296 bhp (220 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 280 lb-ft (379.6 Nm) @ 1800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Audi A3 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2007 Bentley Brooklands 2d (199.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A3.

The Audi A3 has a Power to weight ratio of 174.6 bhp per ton and 165.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2014 A3 competing with the 2007 Bentley Brooklands 2d (199.6 bhp per ton) or the 1995 BMW 3 Series M3 GT E36 (199.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Audi A3 generating around 165.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1985 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (190.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Giulietta 235 Cloverleaf (190.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.4 secs, this made the Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible as fast as the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (5.20 secs) the or the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.20 secs). This Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible is also faster than the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (5.30 secs) the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (5.30 secs) the 2017 Mercedes G Class 63 AMG (5.30 secs) the and the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 V6 Supercharged 360 (5.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A3 and the 2009 Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Twin Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Audi A3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.21 secs @ 96.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Twin Turbo (14.16 secs), the 1963 Aston-Martin DB5 1963 (14.17 secs), and the 2013 Volvo S60 T6 3.0 Turbo (14.18 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2014 version of the Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2014 A3 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2014 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2014 A3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison