Audi S3 Cabriolet Quattro 2.0L TFSI

The Audi S3 cabriolet is a much more purposeful beast that the standard A 3 soft top tested elsewhere in this blog..
For a start it sits much lower on 18 inch wheels and 35 series tyres. 
That extra tuning and the quattro AWD system gives the S3 enormous grip in corners..
The 2 litre turbo engine is a cracking powerplant..210 kw and 380 nm, throws the S3 down the road in about five seconds..seriously quick acceleration, accompanied by a rorty pop from the exhaust each time you change up a gear.I saw an average of seven litres per 100 kilometres during my week with the car in  both highway and city driving.

There are several suspension settings...Dynamic, Eco, Sport,Individual,Auto and Comfort,
In Dynamic mode the revs rise and the exhaust from the four pipes takes on a much more sporty growl. The ride , even in sport mode is quite acceptable..smooth and not harsh over most surfaces.  

Flick the steering wheel paddles to change down and he engine will "blip" itself to get the revs just right without any driver input.The steering feel is quite heavy, but you get used to its communication with the road.

Heated seats are welcome on cold days, but with the seat adjusted for tall drivers there's no room at all for anyone in the rear pews.
The soft top is well insulated from outside noise... and raises and lowers while on the move at speeds of up to 50 kph.

Bright, crisp xenon headlights give good spread and penetration on the darkest of nights...The extra weight needed to maintain rigidity in the Cabrio means it's not quite as quick as the hatch versions of he S3, but it's still a very exhilarating and distinctive drive and at just over 69K is a bit of a performance bargain.
Peter Sellen  

Hyundai Sonata Elite

Hyundai continues to impress with each new model it releases.. 

The quality, engineering and styling of all their vehicles is now among the best in the world. 

After winning many hearts with its new Genesis luxury model, ( on test elsewhere on this blog) Hyundai has applied the same level of sophistication and prestige to its latest mid sized Sonata.

The room inside Sonata's cabin is exceptional.. even with the driver's seat adjusted for my tall frame there's still ample space behind it to sprawl out. The front doors open at almost 90 degrees for easy access.

The leather faced seats are initially a bit firm, but after a while you appreciate the support. Night time dashboard illumination is excellent.. most dials and switches  picked out in a lovely classy electric blue.. easy to read and operate. 

Everywhere you touch is padded or soft feel material. The sound system is also exceptional.. half the maximum volume will be enough for most people.. full noise is almost enough to shatter the windows. I didn't put it up to maximum for fear of blowing an eardrum.

Standard equipment includes bluetooth,satellite navigation,cruise, multi position electronic lumbar adjustment for the driver's seat and auto everything. 

Approaching the car at night, using keyless entry,the wing mirrors swing out, and puddle and door handle lights switch on.The foot operated parking brake is a minor annoyance, (a lever or electric brake please Hyundai) but it doesn't detract from the overall level of comfort and quality in the cabin. The only other downside is pretty average headlights..they are simply not bright enough and you'll be wanting to fit some aftermarket globes,  especially if you do a lot of highway driving.

The Sonata's ride is a revelation..smooth and supple , soaking up all but the largest bumps with arrogant ease.In my view it's far superior to most of Sonata's segment rivals.
Cornering is also in another league.. Sonata is one of the best handling in its class..sitting flat and poised through the bends with little fuss..It's the equal of much more expensive rivals in this area.

There's no wind or road noise at urban speeds and on the highway just a faint whisper from the tyres. But it's the engine which impresses most.

The previously mundane 2 litre four cylinder powerplant has been transformed with a turbo, delivering astonishing acceleration and performance for a car in this class.

180 KW and 350 nm of torque will fling the car down the road with quiet, surprising urgency.
The six speed automatic transmission is  the perfect partner for transmitting Sonata's newfound performance.

Fuel economy during my week with the Sonata averaged around 9 litres per 100 kilometres.

If you're in the market for a mid sized sedan, don't just look at Camrys, Accords, Mazda 6 ,Nissan Ultimas and Mondeos....drive the Sonata and I believe you'll find a certain something that's missing in its competitors. Not the least of which is a five year unlimited kilometre warranty.
Sonata prices start at just under 30K to almost 42K for the top spec Premium model.

Peter Sellen