Going around turns in the 2015 Audi S3 sedan is fun regardless of the transmission. Compared to the A3, the S3 has a 25mm (0.98 inch) lower ride height, and our test car has the optional magnetic adaptive dampers, which will be offered on U.S. models in combination with a 19-inch wheel/summer tire package.
Based on our trip through the Maritime Alps, we can't see ourselves not ordering this option. Thusly equipped, the S3 feels controlled and athletic through corners, yet even in the suspension's most hard-core setting, you'd never describe the ride as brittle. Even with 235/35R19 91Y Continental ContiSportContact tires, the S3 is downright forgiving on the roads in Southern France. We'll wait and see if that transfers to Southern California.
Audi is known for its top-quality interiors, and the 2015 Audi S3 sedan's cabin lives up to that reputation and then some. Every surface in the car that you might ever have occasion to touch has a pleasing finish to it, and the fit and finish in our test cars is outstanding. You'd expect this in an $80,000 car, but in one that we expect to cost a little more than half that, it's pretty striking.
Everything looks crisp and modern, too. The flat-bottom steering wheel is small in diameter and fits nicely in hands of modest size, and the circular vents and aluminum trim are nicely executed.
If you care about tech, take note that the A3 and S3 have the most sophisticated version of Audi's MMI, which is designed to be more easily upgradable (to the point that the system's Nvidia Tegra 2 processor can be swapped out when it becomes obsolete). In addition, the car's Wi-Fi router is 4G LTE-capable, and to support that, Audi will ditch T-Mobile in favor of a yet unnamed wireless carrier with LTE coverage.
But the 2015 Audi S3 sedan is aimed at people with busier lives who favor a more balanced approach to performance. Maybe driving is fun for you, but you also expect a comfortable ride, a fantastic interior and leading-edge tech features because, well, you've got to drive to work every day. And in that case, cars like the S3 sedan and the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG make more sense.
Audi is months away from announcing pricing on the 2015 S3 sedan, but as long as it comes in a bit cheaper than the quicker CLA45 and whatever BMW comes up with next for this class, we see no reason it won't find its buyer.
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