Audi RS3 and A45 Facelift Drag Race to See Who's Boss of the Hot Hatches

Car Magazine organized a race between the two, which the white Mercedes won by over a car's length. It's a humiliating result for the RS3, so we know the comments section will be filled with negativity.

However, we'd like to point out that the same two super hatchbacks also dueled in January, when Motoring found the RS3 to be the winner. We checked once more if the A45 was indeed a facelift model, which it was. So the only logical conclusion is that the A-Class now has an advantage over its quattro competitor.

It's possible (but not very likely) that one of the options fitted to the A45 is to blame. Softer damping (adaptive) or the front mechanical differential would help put more power down. But the advantage should have been noticeable off the line, where these racers are actually evenly matched.

We can't blame the drivers either, as the twin-clutch gearbox should take care of everything. Which leaves tire wear, inferior rubber spec or even more power. No two cars are exactly the same, so it could be possible that this A45 facelift has a better tune.

There's no question that both these cars are fast for hatchbacks, but are they the ultimate vehicles of their kind? We'd argue that's not the case, especially when we know the RS3 sedan will get the same new 2.5-liter turbo as the TT-RS, pushing the total output to 400 horsepower. As for the A45, rumor has it 2018 will bring us a new version with improved output. Still, it's scary to think these 5-door family hatchbacks could outsprint a V8 Camaro.