The RS3 is supposed to be much faster than the S3, but we were very curious to see just how much faster. With turbocharged hot hatches, things are rarely as easy as 1+1=2. Let's get stuck in and examine the contenders.
The 2015 Audi RS3 Sportback is probably going to shake things up in the performance world. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter TFSI lump is strong enough to keep up with most Porsche in a straight line. If launch control is correctly used, it will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, a serious bit of performance kit, this German hatch.
Its rival, chosen by Option Auto, is at a huge disadvantage. We are talking about the S3 Sedan / Berline, which is the second slowest S3 after the cabrio. Like all the others, it boasts a 2-liter turbo shared with the Golf R and producing 300 horsepower, 67 less than the RS3. 0 to 100 km/h sprints take 4.9 seconds (0.6 seconds slower).
Despite this, the race is relatively close. That's because both cars use the same launch control, and the RS3 is at a weight disadvantage: 60 kilos (132 lbs) of extra mass. Th difference would have been even more in favor of the S3 had they used the simple 3-door model that is another 35 kilos (77 lbs) lighter.
Is there a conclusion to this test? Of course not, since we're comparing five exotic apples against four grapes made by Volkswagen. But, the S3 Sedan appears to be the car everybody likes to look at because it's sleek, while the RS3 is about €10,000 more expensive.
Guess that means we need an RS3 Sedan, doesn't it, Audi?
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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