Audi A3 to Audi S3: Do you need to make the step up?

There are more differences between the Audi A3 and the Audi S3 than meet the eye, but do you need different tyres to safely make the step up?

Different tuning, a 180 hp gap, £15,000 less (or more) in your wallet… There are many things which set the Audi A3 and S3 apart. The former is no slouch, the latter is one of the hottest hatches money can buy, but both models have certified jack of all trades status. 

So how do you tell the two apart? Honestly, with some difficulty. Aside from some slightly sharper styling cues, the S3 is a bit of a sleeper looks-wise — and the untrained eye may need to peak at the rear badge to double check exactly which model they’re working with.

You know what else looks the same at a cursory glance? Tyres. Luckily, following the same logic as the German giant, Kumho has also added a nice big ‘S’ to mark the difference between its high-performance ECSTA Sport PS72, and the elevated ECSTA Sport S PS72. So, you’d naturally assume these tyres would be a perfect match to safely harness the performance of their corresponding namesake(ish) Audi models, but is that the case?

Audi A3 Sportback 

First up the Audi A3 — we’ve opted for the Sportback variant — partnered up with the Kumho ECSTA Sport PS72. Now, there is still a little something beneath the A3’s bonnet: namely 148 hp to help you nip from 0-62 mph in 8.1 seconds. Not sluggish, but also not exactly a wow factor, and honestly, probably not why you’d opt for the A3. 

Don’t get us wrong, it’s a fun drive. Launch into corners and you’ll be met by sharp, engaging handling, with a nice balance to give that feeling of gliding through the bends. This is where the right rubber partnership can make a real impact too. Enter the ECSTA Sport, with a distinctive zigzag pattern, specialised stiff construction elements, and a stabilised contact area to deliver traction, precision, and — last but definitely not least — safety on the curve.

As the more sensible option, the A3’s strengths lean more towards practicality than sheer performance. Of course, it’s an Audi, so there are finer details and refinement to be found within the 5-door’s climate-controlled, ambient-lit, leather-clad interior. Sound luxurious? Well not only can the ECSTA Sport’s stable contact with the tarmac enhance this comfortable ride, its K-Silent sound absorbing technology soaks up road noise to keep occupants even more comfy.

You can take these occupants (and any goodies stored in the practical 380-litre boot) a fair distance too, with mpg figures ranging around the 50 mark when applied to the real world. And — you guessed it — that good ol’ reinforced tyre contact area helps here too, optimising wear as the miles clock by, letting the A3 perform safely for longer. 

Now, while the ECSTA Sport S can also bring these same benefits to the A3, perhaps it would be better suited to…

Audi S3 Sportback

Take the car, take the tyre, turn the volume on both up a few notches on both, and you’ve got the Audi S3 Sportback sat upon a set of Kumho ECSTA Sport S PS72.

Remember the A3’s horsepower figures? Double them. And add a little bit more. Now you’ve got the most powerful S3 in the model’s 25-year history: there are 328.44 turbocharged horses hauling you from 0-62 mph in just 4.7 seconds. Fun, but all good things must come to an end, and all cars must come to a stop at some point. So, as well as helping hit these acceleration figures, the ECSTA Sport S’ newly developed Max Grip Resin compound increases braking efficiency by up to 9% on dry roads — getting you home safe and sound. 

But spring has arrived, bringing spring showers aplenty, so what happens when it rains? Luckily you can find a 10% increase in braking efficiency on wet surfaces too, providing safety and the confidence to perform when the going gets damp.

Many of the same engaging handling characteristics of the A3 carry over to the S3, with a little more flavour. The iconic quattro all-wheel drive system comes as standard here, alongside a torque splitter to emulate the even sportier RS3, and a lowered, tuned suspension. This may not quite match Audi’s Group B heroes of the past, but pair it up with the superior grip of the ECSTA Sport S, and you can expect some serious cornering ability, without sacrificing stability.

So, to answer the question: do you need to different tyres to make the step from A3 to S3? Technically not, either Kumho tyre can enhance either Audi model, but when there is a premium variant of each, it sure is tempting to match them up.