An extensive rework of the Audi A3 this summer delivered the most powerful S3 in the model’s 25-year history. Al Suttie takes the saloon Black Edition for an extended spin.

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Audi S3 Saloon Black Edition

List price (BiK): £46,340 (37%)   CO2: 186g/km    Economy: 34.4mpg    Test efficiency: 30.3mpg

Monday

Funny how a badge can alter perceptions. Where I’m prone to thinking a Volkswagen Golf R is looking pricey at nearly £44,000, an Audi S3 seems reasonable at just over £46,000. That’s the lure of the Audi and S badges combined, even though the Golf R and S3 share the same engine and drivetrain. I’m a fan of the previous S3, so this one with more oomph should be a hoot for the week ahead.

Tuesday

This latest S3 comes with 23hp more than before, so it’s now up to 333hp and that equates to a claimed 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds. More tellingly while out for a drive just for the sake of it this afternoon, this rapid and compact Audi saloon is ideal for overtaking slower traffic. If it weren’t for the £595 optional Python Yellow paintwork of this car, it would be a very stealthy machine too.

Wednesday

Another cross-country drive in the S3 this morning, although this one for work to meet a photographer. Again, the S3 shows how able and fleet of foot it is on wriggly roads with less than perfect surfaces. The four-wheel drive adds a layer of dynamic stability that front-drive hot hatches miss – even the superb Honda Civic Type R when pressed hard. It turns today’s sort of driving into epic fun when it could have been a dull slog.

Thursday

There’s nowt wrong with the front cabin of the S3 thanks to its digital dash and thick-rimmed steering wheel, plus the hugging seats. The driver’s chair holds in all the right places and has plenty of adjustment, to boot. However, anyone sat behind even my modest 5ft 10-inch frame is going to be seriously short on knee space – a consequence of the heavily sculpted shape of the front pews.

Friday

I do like the looks of the Audi S3 saloon, but with two kids it’s always going to be slightly behind when it comes to practicality. There’s no issue with shoving footie kit into the boot, but there’s no way my mountain bike is going in there tomorrow morning even with the rear seats folded down. Perhaps it’s no bad thing and will keep the Audi’s appealing cabin clean and free of muck.

Saturday

After a few days of enjoying the Audi S3, it seeps in that it’s also very good at the mundane stuff. The vibrant colour has elicited a few comments – all positive – but otherwise the S3 could slip under the radar. That suits me and the supple ride, good steering weight, easy parking, comfy seats, satisfactory vision and decent infotainment all make it extremely likeable for everyday driving chores.

Sunday

A quick tot up of the numbers shows the S3 has returned 30.3mpg during my time with. Given all 333hp was used to good effect on several extended occasions, I class that as a win. The price of this Black Edition is also well pitched as it’s still cheaper than a Civic Type R yet feels every bit as exclusive, and it’s definitely rapid enough. Pretty much the only change I’d make is the colour to be a shade more discreet.