JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We take the wheel of the Audi S3 and look ahead to Skoda's changes to its Karoq SUV range
by John Murdoch · Daily RecordGet the latest Daily Record breaking news on WhatsApp
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
In this instalment of John Murdoch's Drive Time, Johntakes the wheel of the Audi S3, a sports saloon with blistering performance and good looks, and discovers that Skoda is making changes to its popular Karoq SUV range, with new trim levels and more equipment.
Performance hatchbacks are fairly common but it is much harder to find a hot saloon that sets the pulse racing.
The Audi S3 saloon ticks all the boxes with its striking styling and design cues backed by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine which pumps out 333PS, has a top speed of 155mph and takes you to 62mph in just 4.7 seconds.
Download the Lanarkshire Live app today
The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.
Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.
The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.
Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android
The power is also delivered smoothly thanks to the 7-speed S tronic gearbox and the quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Costing from £51,135 before you add any options, the S3 Black Edition certainly looks the part and comes in some bright colour options.
It is a saloon with attitude and comes with lots of tech and equipment. Large alloys, LED lights, a body-coloured rear spoiler, privacy glass and styling pack all contribute to its handsome looks.
Despite its impressive performance figures, the Audi S3 is exceptionally refined to drive.
You can select from several driving modes, depending on your mood and if you choose Comfort the suspension will deal with our bumpy road and make for nice motorway cruising.
The nicely weighted steering offers good feedback and there are steering wheel mounted paddles to change gears manually if you want to have some fun.
The sharp acceleration and sporty exhaust note leads to enthusiastic driving but if you press the loud pedal too hard this has, as you would expect, a fuel penalty.
The quality cabin offers plenty of space up front, but back seat passengers will find it a little cramped, especially if the front seats are pushed well back.
The S3 is packed with tech and creature comforts from heated quilted leather sports seats that are power-operated with memory settings.
There is neat piano black trimmings and a rocker-style switch for the gear lever. S badging on the door sills and steering wheel are a reminder that this Audi is a little bit special.
The car is generously equipped with a Sonos sound system, Audi smartphone interface, a DAB radio, full navigation with a 10.1-inch high-resolution touchscreen, Audi’s virtual cockpit with a fully programmable driver display screen and plenty more besides.
A head-up display is included and there is a full package of driver aids and safety features to keep occupants and other road users safe.
The boot can handle 325 litres of kit and there are plenty of handy storage compartments scattered throughout the cabin.
A wireless charging pad is another welcome feature.
The S3 may not be as practical as some hot hatches but it delivers real quality, style and the fun factor in a stylish and desirable package.
FAST FACTS:
Price: £51,135.
Mechanical: 330ps, 1984cc, 4-cylinder, petrol-driven engine with 7-speed S tronic automatic transmission.
Max speed: 155mph.
0-62mph: 4.7 seconds.
Combined MPG: 34.4.
Insurance group: 34.
CO2 emissions: 188g/km.
BiK rating: 37 per cent.
Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles.
Overall rating (out of 5): 4.5.
In other motoring developments, Skoda is boosting the specification of its Karoq SUV with the introduction of Edition grade models.
The updated Karoq range will now be available with three trim options - SE Edition, SE L Edition and SportLine Edition.
All three trim grades feature impressive standard specification levels with equipment that was previously only available as options or on more expensive models.
Prices start from £29,975 for the Karoq SE Edition which comes with front parking sensors, a rear-view camera and Keyless entry fitted as standard, along with a two-spoke heated steering wheel and heated front seats.
The new SE L Edition costs from £32,150 and builds on the specification of the previous SE L model and adds a host of additional equipment.
The new specification now includes an electrically-operated boot with virtual pedal, adaptive cruise control and 9.2-inch Skoda infotainment system with navigation.
The sporting flagship of the revised Karoq range, the new SportLine Edition is priced from £36,390 and comes with Dynamic chassis control, progressive steering and adaptive cruise control fitted as standard.
The SportLine Edition also features hill descent control on 4x4 models, heated rear seats, heated windscreen and a 9.2-inch Skoda infotainment system with navigation.
The new Karoq Edition line up tops out from £42,825 for 2.0 TDI 150ps DSG 4x4 versions.
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.