looks more like a rabbit hutch which given the platform of the A3 kinda weird

Minimum security prison is no picnic. The trick is to kick somebody's ass the first day, or become somebody's bitch. Then everything will be alright.

I think it's a federal pound-you-in-the-hatch prison.

I love the A3 because it allows me to step out of my Protege5 and into something more luxurious without having to learn to look for a different car in the parking lot!

@Feds: Except for the front opening, which ate your Protege5 with a side of fava beans and a nice Chianti.

@Iron-Balls McGinty:

LOL; comment of the day!

@Iron-Balls McGinty: Nice. But I'm going to need you to come in on Sunday, Peter...yeeeah, that'd be greeaat... *sip*

Finally catching up to the Mazdaspeed 3, but at what premium? Maybe the equivalent to a base 3?

@jeb_Hoge - are we to believe you know a great many European car buyers who are cross shopping the S3 with MS3s? Really?

Yeah, it's exciting to provide a US centric viewpoint ignoring the placement of Audi in Europe, or hot hatches in general, on a car which will never be sold in the US for cheap thrills but why even bother?

Europeans aren't buying cars like the S3 strictly on 0-60 times, or significantly better then MS3 track times, they're buying the entire package and history of said range when buying the car.

But then a critical view of the market where the car is actually, you know, available for sale, doesn't lend itself to trite bloggery. :).

At least in the US, The top-of-the-line Audi A3 starts at $35k(arm + leg) with a 250HP 6 cylinder motor. If this version is going to pack a little more power... I'd guess it's also going to cost some more limbs.

Well, I guess you told me, eh?

@Iron-Balls McGinty: clever

@Ash: Nice! What this car needs is more flair!

@Eclectified:

I have a feeling that Audi may be replacing the A3 3.2 with this S3 with the higher output 2.0t. It may not cost anymore than the current 3.2. I also expect the TT 3.2 to be replaced by the TT-S.

Doesn't the current S3 have a 270hp 2.0L four-cylinder?

Look at it this way....one of the best things going for Audi is their very aggressive lease programs. That's why I have one. Although the A3 has not yet had the super deals available. We do have 2 of the largest dealers in the country battling it out for the volume crown in South Florida.

i think the new Audis look great.. much better than they used to

Dammit, this is the S3 I actually wanted, but had to get the 3 door instead as it was the only game in town. The Sportback is a lot better looking.

Mazdaspeed 3 as an S3 rival? You've got to be joking. The kind of cars I looked at when choosing the S3 were the Alfa Brera, RX-7, Golf R32 and BMW 135 coupe, but they all failed because here in Europe the S3 has one huge advantage; way lower C02 emissions than its big or rotary-engined competitors. I'll still be able to drive an S3 in London without taking out a second mortgage next year. The only other alternative would have been a diesel, and I'm not quite prepared to go oil-burner yet, even if some of them (Audi A5, BMW 335d) are pretty quick.

A five door S3 could open the door to a US version. Since it's based on the same body as the US spec A3 it would be easier to federalize, and the A3 brand image in the US is a 5-door.

We'll see if it happens, but it would be a welcome addition so long as they keep it light. The A3 3.2 S-line weighs as much as a BMW 535i.

@AndyDuncan - I'd be curious to see how many americans sprang for an S3, perhaps a limited run like the R32.

Also, the A3 S-Line is a porker, after driving it back to back with the R32 on the track I was hard pressed to see the point in terms of cost/driving dynamics/ and interrior fit and finish (in relation to the R on the parallel and the rest of the Audi lineup above it).

@ruggels: Given the large number of A3 3.2 S-lines i've seen, I imagine they would sell a decent number. Especially if they drop the 3.2 and charge about the same for the S (it shouldn't cost that much more to build).

And yeah, the R32 isn't light as it is, I have no idea where they find those extra 400(?) lbs in the A3.

Until (read IF) the S3 makes its leisurely way over here, the best deal going is a 2.0 A3 with a $500 APR chip that gets you a nice 252hp/303lb-ft performance boost without compromising mileage.