ATL unveils the Audi S3 SEDAN

Chad Bryan, Sunday Gleaner Writer

The beautifully finished, sleek and dazzling Audi S3 sedan was launched by ATL Automotives, the exclusive local distributor for Audi, at its Oxford Road, St Andrew, facility last Thursday.

A model of the vehicle, which boasts a two-litre turbocharged engine, magnetic adaptive suspension, slick steering and beautifully balanced handling, arrived in the island in July and has already been sold at its starting price of $7.995 million.

"The 2015 model came into the island on July 23 and we made a sale immediately on July 23," said Etus Collman, Audi brand manager

The Audi S3 is a lightweight vehicle, with a curb weight of only 1,430 kg - this for a four-door sedan equipped with a six-speed S-tronic dual clutch gearbox. This makes gear changing a whole new experience.

"The S-tronic dual clutch gearbox gives you three milliseconds between gearshifts. You select one gear, it prepares to shift to the next gear so that there is no slippage or differentiation of losing a gear here or there. The process of shifting is designed like an automatic and gears down like a manual," Collman said.

He also pointed out that one can change the sound of the engine for different driving experiences. Rather than producing the high-pitched 'pssssst' sound typical of a turbocharged car, the Audi S3 emits a produces a lower exhaust note.

Inside the spacious interior of the vehicle, parade red seat colours complement the red exterior. The instrument panels are chrome-plated and the centre console angled slightly towards the driver. Large round air vents with three-dimensional decorative inlays allow the passengers and driver to adjust temperatures around them as the need arises.

The vehicle's Bang and Olufsen sound system provides the car's occupants with an exquisite audio experience.