Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG vs Audi S3 Speedo Acceleration

When it comes to the bonkers CLA 45 AMG version though, Audi hasn't yet launched what would be called somewhat of a rival in the form of an RS3 Sedan variant, so we are stuck comparing the AMG model with the next best thing from Ingolstadt – the S3 Sedan.

Featuring a two-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder that is part of the VAG Group “special engines” bin, the Audi S3 Sedan can accelerate from naught to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.3 seconds.

Thanks to the 300 hp and 380 Nm (280 lb ft) of torque squeezed out of the four-pot, the smallest Audi sedan can give a lot of sports cars a run of for their money, but it still isn't enough to give a scare to a Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG.

As many of you know, the AMG variant of the CLA also puts a turbocharged two-liter four-cylinder to good use, with no less than 360 hp and 450 Nm (332 lb ft) of torque.

Those numbers, along with 4Matic all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with a launch control function can make the CLA 45 AMG get from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in precisely 4.6 seconds, making it quite a bit faster than the S3 and about as fast as an Audi R8 V8.

The following speedometer comparison video shows the two aforementioned sports compacts have two runs from zero all the way to 260 km/h (162 mph) in tandem. To make the race just a tiny bit more fair, both models start from idle instead of using a launch control function, therefore denying some of the massive advantage that the CLA 45 AMG has. Even so, the difference in performance is obviously still there. Enjoy!