An S3 In Everything But NameA quick lesson in Audi-speak: Any vehicle that wears the letter A means
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| V6 power and quattro all-wheel drive are new additions to the A3 range for 2006. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press) |
'regular', which can usually be found in front of even-numbered designations of increasing size from 4 through 8. S means
schnell, which is German for 'fast', and S with an R in front of it means 'radically fast' (or possibly really fast or ruddy fast?), although we in North America have only received one of four RS-cars produced to date. Then you have Avant, which means 'nice-looking wagon', and Cabriolet that means 'even nicer looking convertible'. The only exception to this rule is the TT, Audi's drop-dead gorgeous sports car that doesn't abide by any of the aforementioned guidelines.
Put a few of these alphanumeric monikers together like a compound noun, and you can make up 99 percent of Audi's range. Take for example S4 Cabriolet, an excellent all-weather drop-top cruiser, or A6 Avant, a nice, premium station wagon that I am just itching to test out. You may run into a few problems if you try and pair 'Avant' with S8, though, which would make for an all-aluminum V10-powered superwagon - a tasty treat that would have Audi-o-philes frothing at the mouth (see 2001 Audi Avantissimo Concept).
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| Offering more power, more grip, and more performance, this badge really ought to say "S3", not 3.2 quattro. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press) |
The lesson gets a little more complex starting in 2006, as Audi has just launched a new premium compact vehicle which necessitates a few new rules. It's called the A3, and it's available in a practical five-door package called 'Sportback', which is somewhere between Avant and hatchback. And, while quite a few have already experienced this compact premium hold-all with the invigorating 200-horsepower FSI-T motor, for the New Year, the car will gain a V6 engine that makes it very
schnell. So, by all measures, shouldn't this one be called the S3? It very well could, but it isn't according to Audi. No problem, I can appreciate a good rule bender.
