If you feel as if you’ve grown beyond the fun and active driving style of a hot hatch but you still want to have some joy and excitement on the road, you need to think about the smaller luxury performance cars you can purchase. Two that make it easy for you to have the exciting drive you want and the quality experience you’re after are the Audi S3 and the BMW M240i. These are the performance models at this level of the lineup that can provide you with the drive you want and the experience you need.
Approaching Performance
As we take a look at these two small performance models and see what they have to offer, the Audi SE is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that gives you 292 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque at a low rpm level. You’ll be graced with the Quattro AWD that makes this a car that you can push thought the corners and enjoy the drive while you also enjoy the benefits of the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This car is able to reach sixty mph in only 4.6 seconds as a car that’s light on its feet and fun to drive.
If you’re more inclined to look for the power under the hood, the BMW M240i is a car that gives you exactly what you’re looking for. This car makes use of a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine that provides 340 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque while giving you an amazing six-speed manual transmission with the option to choose an eight-speed automatic and have AWD for the run you want to make. This car also reaches sixty mph in 4.6 seconds and it’s a bit heavier for the drive, but certainly more powerful, especially at lower speeds.
Looking Inside
Check out the interior of these two cars and you’re going to see some serious differences when on the road or track. The S3 offers you what is considered to be the best interior in its class with quilted leather seats, metal trim, a modern design, an attractive digital dashboard, and a ton of premium materials. One way the S3 stands out is with the inclusion of two additional doors which makes this a more useful car when you need to take others with you on the road and they have to sit in the rear seat.
While the BMW M240i is a sport coupe, it doesn’t do anything to dispel this feeling or its personality. The touchscreen interface is easy to use and attractive and the materials and visual cues allow you to understand the purpose of this car is to drive fast and get you where you need to go. If you’re looking for a car that looks fast, feels sporty, and offers you the luxury items you need to carry this personality throughout the drive, the BMW would be extremely hard to beat when it’s time to get out on the track and drive.
The Verdict
Both of these cars offer you an exciting drive and an engaging personality that makes them a pair you want to experience from behind the wheel. Get in and take a drive in either one and you’re going to be able to understand a few differences that are in place but also admire the similarities. If you want a car that feels more luxurious on a daily basis, the Audi S3 is the right choice, but if you’re looking for sport and power wherever you go, you’ll be more inclined to lean toward the BMW M240i for the driving fun you want to have.
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