Vic Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 "Audi makes its cars, in my opinion, more beautifully than any other automobile firm in the western world" At least there's something to agree with Clarkson on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Yes it is- Ko4 unit shared with the Cupra and maybe (not sure on this one)even the E30 GTI [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 JC = More Style than Substance (though Ari would doubtless disagree ). But I love his wordsmithing nonetheless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 Me too. And I read his reviews (and his books) for that purpose alone. Ultimately, if you want to know how good a car is, book a test drive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Compared to the GTI, which is lagless, there is turbo lag - It funny, its only the S3 owners that claim, they cant feel this lag....which is very apparent [/ QUOTE ] I'm not an S3 owner, or even likely to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torino101 Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 I do take all of Clarksons reviews with a huge pinch of salt, but in this case I am inclined to agree with him. I really, really wanted the new S3 to be a legend, but for me the engine is so, so wrong. It needed to be closer to 300 bhp (especially at the price) and have significantly more cc's than the 2000 it was blessed with. Even if it meant a slightly heavier nose.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3Rob Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 Wasn't going to comment on this as it will look a bit biased. But just on Clarkson in general, I really think he's given to much editorial freedom. His articles, almost all of them are just last weeks autobiography with a tiny bit about whichever car he was unlucky enough to be in the previous week. Yes he is funny, but when he uses humour to alter the facts about a car, you can't really call it journalism (well I suppose you could actually!). Just to clear up the lag issue, yes the S3 does lag BUT there is a very effective pull from approx 1800, which gets stronger at 2500 then peaks at 4000-7000rpm. Thing is in real world you don't notice the lag because your're not often below 1800 or so. The engine is fantastic, to belittle it is to completely miss the point of it. The way they've engineered the top end of the rev range is brilliant. It never stops pulling, not like the breathless 3.2. Why do people keep saying it needs more power? It's the fastest hatch of it's generation, that's enough power. I hope they get it round the TG track soon, R32's been top for too long! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torino101 Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Why do people keep saying it needs more power? It's the fastest hatch of it's generation, that's enough power. [/ QUOTE ] I am FULLY aware that power is only one part of the story - but it is hard to ignore that for £10k + less you are looking at a Mazda 3 MPS with a smidgen less power (256 bhp). Also the VXR.... Both hugely unresolved compared to the S3 but the power is right up there for 2/3 of the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Dont let Azure see this!!! [/ QUOTE ] 2 weeks in the sun I am chilled so dont bother me at all mate Clarkson has every right to dislike the S3 just like anyone else. If we all liked the same cars it would be a boring set of roads. The most important view of the car you own/drive is your own, within reason obvioulsy Just taken it for a 20 mins drive, felt great after the Mustang AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Compared to the GTI, which is lagless, there is turbo lag - It funny, its only the S3 owners that claim, they cant feel this lag....which is very apparent [/ QUOTE ] Oli, I've owned (as you know) both a MKV GTI and an 8P S3. I've noticed very little lag on either on them and there certainly isn't enough lag to hinder progress or to make pulling away from low revs difficult. Azure: hope you enjoyed the states mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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