2008 Audi A3 S3 2.0T Review and Performance Comparison

Audi A3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 2008 Audi A3 S3 2.0T is a powered by a Petrol Straight 4. This variant of the Audi A3 S3 2.0T is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.

This particular Audi A3 has a 1984cc Turbo Petrol powerplant driven by the Audi All Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol Straight 4's include the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce

The A3 shares its Petrol Straight 4 engine configuration with the likes of the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce and the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the A3's All Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2024 Aspark Owl AWD or the earlier 2019 Pininfarina Battista 1900.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1455 kgs (3207 lbs) places the Audi A3 S3 2.0T in a similar weight category as the 2025 Maserati MCPURA 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo and the excellent 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo, give or take 50kg.

The Audi A3 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR (276 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 1984cc 16 valve, Straight 4 engine produces around 261 bhp (194 kW) @ 6000 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR (276 bhp) and also the 2023 Toyota Supra GR 2.0 (255 bhp).

The Turbo Straight 4 throws out 258 lb-ft (349.8 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 BYD Sealion 7 Comfort (280 lb-ft) or the 2023 BYD Seal Design (266 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 2008 Audi A3 in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8 (204.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A3.

The Audi A3 has a power to weight ratio of 179.3 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 2008 A3 S3 2.0T means you're competing with the 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8 (204.3 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (204.2 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Audi A3 S3 2.0T generates around 177.3 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2006 Mercedes G Class G 55 AMG Kompressor (202.3 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2004 BMW Alpina Z4 Roadster S (202.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Audi A3 S3 2.0T can accelerate 0–60mph in 5.60 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 5.8 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Audi A3 S3 2.0T include the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs).

The Straight 4 engine of the Audi A3 S3 2.0T ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2023 BYD Seal Design (5.70 secs) and the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Audi A3 S3 2.0T and the Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 2008 Audi A3 can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.90 secs with a trap speed around 97.9 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (13.91 seconds @ 97.9 mph) and a close race between the Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo (13.91 seconds @ 97.9 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 2008 version of the Audi A3 S3 2.0T has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 A3 equals the Skoda Octavia RS TSI 2.0 Turbo (154 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 2008 Audi A3 S3 2.0T then there's the slightly slower the Skoda Octavia RS TSI 2.0 Turbo (154 mph) or how about the impressive BMW 7 Series 750i E38 (154 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 2008 A3 Rivals List.
• 2008 A3: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Audi
• Compare the 2008 Audi A3