Audi RS3 Sportback vs Mercedes-AMG A45S: £60k 400bhp 4x4 hyper-hatch showdown | Top Gear
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- Опубліковано 6 чер 2024
- Welcome to the £120,000, 800bhp hot hatch twin test you’ve all been waiting for: the brand new Audi RS3 vs the mighty Mercedes-AMG A45S. It’s a sign of the times we’re living in - the last days of anything-goes internal combustion - that the latest VW Golf R or even a Porsche 911 Carrera are simply not powerful enough to come along and play. But which one out of these two £60k 400bhp 4x4 mega-hatches (both of which are more than happy to drift) makes the most sense? We sent Top Gear Magazine’s Head of Car Testing Ollie Marriage to a small track in Wales to find out…
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I present you Top Gear, testing 2 cars on track , one fitted with performance tyres, the other with winter tyres 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
And we have Come to the point where a hot hatch Costs 60k pounds..
They are super hot hatch after all.
Yeah, thats what literally everybody was waiting for..., especially all the middleaged business men the car isn't aimed at...
The new mark 8 Golf R has the same E diff if you're looking to get into a fun, 4 wheel drive, sliding, hot hatch. The only real issue I've heard with them is that the infotainment is moronic to use. Recommend waiting for a mid cycle refresh when the VW executives realize they messed up and change it.
You can get an m3 for around 70k and get way more performance more quality and more spec. Lower Finance costs and be less of a yob
They should be no more than 30k for new hatchbacks
The RS3 is such an insane looker and great drivers car. I managed to do a 3.1 second run to 100km/h high up in the Greek mountains and then 3.3 seconds in winter conditions in Poland. Insane car!
Sadly it will most likely be the last product with a legendary inline 5 engine.
Surreal!
@@timojohn9773 what’s the next got in a 3L?
Audi for ever 😍♥️🦎🦎🦎💣💪😎
@@timojohn9773 yeah, that's sad, do you remember S6 C6, and now you look at new S6/RS6 and it just looks poor
I prefer the outside of the rs3 and the inside of the a45s.
If I had the money and not a Mrs then I'd be going for the a45s..
Testing them on track and one of them is fitted with winter tyres?!
great, isn't it? Professionals lol
Ya, He is trying to Sabotage the RS3.
You sum it up quite well... all is said!|
Noticed that too, what a joke. I would say it ruins the video but it in fact shows how impressive the RS3 is even with that handicap
So pumped for the RS3. Here in America we don't even get the A45-S, just the limp wristed basic A45. But even if we did get the S trim, I'd still go for the RS3 because of that 5 cylinder engine.
Been saving up to buy one!
These are really fast. And then there’s GR Yaris, which is probably a lot slower but I think that’s closer to the definition of a old school hot hatch. Not a Toyota fan but man I really want one
good for you no one cares tbh about tht crap
tbh, the Toyotas are a bit overhyped. Youll get more fun out of a MK7 Golf R manual or an M140i for 15k less
@@iMortalHQ all the reviews are super positive, guess you know better 🤡
@@thelewisshow555 more fun in a last-gen Golf R than in a Yaris GR? Did you even drive the Yaris before spouting that ridiculous nonsense?
The last-gen Golf is very well known for making the shortlist for the most boring hot hatches you can buy, and that ain't necessarily a bad thing because it's a good daily. But that won't stop some of you experts from attributing bullshit to it. No wonder the car community makes fun of Golf fanboys.
Take my advice and actually drive a few cars before having opinions on them. If you can't then listen to reviewers, their words carry more weight than your imagination.
@@thelewisshow555 hell no
Audi RS3 seems like the perfect car. Bring it to the US
I'm pretty sure the Saloon version will be available mid-year; Sportback won't be.
Carros irados, projetos insanos, performance maravilhosa!
Is it just me who loves the RS3 more than the A45S?
Yes just you
RS3 is better so I think you are not.
Love the RS3 but interior isn't special enough over lesser A3 models in the range.
Just a shame that you can't have a slightly more exciting interior considering this is the range flagship
Yes only u
The Audi would have to be profoundly inferior to the Benz in basically every other way to make me take the A45 over the RS3 purely because that is how much I prefer the engine in the Audi to the Benz. I can repect a good turbo 4, my current daily is a tuned Mk7 Golf R, they can be very effective, but they are just too mundane at the price point. Five cylinders on the other hand, with their rarity and the root note shared only with V10s, sound and feel special.
Stop calling these hot hatches, these are hyper hatches... Or super hatches. A Golf R, S3 and A35 is a high end hot hatch, where a Golf Gti and a A250 sport are the real hot hatches
No they are hot hatches
I'll pick rs3 for sure
I love both cars for different reasons. But just love the aggressiveness a45s and I prefer the front nose of the a45s. I am a Mercedes man I owned w204 6.2 c63 and that thing was raw. Condensing the a45s is a 2.0 it’s a fruity we engine. A45s for me
i really actually enjoyed this review, get this man back!
how can you compare winter tyres with sticky summer rubber?? Of course the front end of the Merc feels friskier then!
For my experience driving cars on summer and winter tires. Sure the winter tires have less grip but the character of the car still stays the same but gets exagerated. If the car oversteers naturally it will oversteer more, if it understeers then it will do it more on winters. These are all rear wheel drive cars however. Not sure about front wheel drive based cars though.
@@memememine1 car on winer tires are not that sharp as the same car on sticky tires. Piriod. I can feel the difference between Pzeros and Cup 2 tires. The difference is massive.
@@stopp23 there's a difference in response. But the character of the car doesn't change. A dodge hellcat wont suddenly understeer because you put winter tires on it.
@@memememine1 there is an insanely large difference in subjective feel, ultimate grip, and chassis balance between summer and winter tires
@@leokaravasili9649 your a few steps behind bud. Let me catch you up. Less grip absolutely winter tires don't grip dry or wet tarmac well. Subjective feel we have already covered. There is a slower turn in response and build up of load due to the sipes and taller blocks. Steering feel wasnt that bad and honestly kinda felt like a soft sidewaled summer or all season tire (imagine a psas) Chassis balance remains the same in my experience. Since all 4 wheels have the same tires whether more or less grippy the balance between front and rear will be the same. I have tried the same e90 m3 and 718 Cayman S on summer and winter tires.
Superb review/comparison. Thanks TG
Best review I've seen between these 2 cars. Great presenting. Well done!
I'd take the RS3 too. The A45 looks really great (even though I liked the hatchback looks of the older model better, and the new one looks like they tried to make small car look big), but it sounds like Audi have paid attention to what the RS3 will be like to live with.
Loving that new RS3 in yellow and it's new rear diff
Fantabulous comparison video review
The thing is, these two cars are pretty much level pegging, but the RS3 has just come out so there's about 7 years to go of this gen, whereas the Merc is almost halfway through this gen's lifespan, plus a facelift is just around the corner. Always feels like the Audi is on par in performance for a couple of years but always behind on interior/tech. Story of the battle goes..... New A45S comes out and it's A45S > RS3.... then Audi brings out an RS3 and it's RS3 = A45S.... and then Merc brings out another A45S and it's A45S > RS3 again. Basically, Audi always playing catch up, but never better.
😂😂😂 Guess as they say everyone is entitled to their opinion
I am happy with keeping my 8V RS3 Saloon/Sedan to be honest. It’s mainly the interior. 8Y is impressive. But it doesn’t seem as special to me. That’s assuming they don’t suddenly decide to not bring it to the US.
I had a 67 (late 2017), plate RS3 and the engine really is everything the car is about. On the road it is scary fast and frankly: a lot more than you need. It beats the A45 in whatever trim because the engine is much better and the sound is awesome. But having a ‘drift mode’ on one is asking for trouble because the speed you can go into corners with it is totally insane. Anyway: two great little cars but the RS3 is a better car because it had that 5 cylinder engine. And whatever journalists say: that has never changed.
The RS3 has always been more refined and easier to live with, even my wife liked driving it.
Anyway I enjoyed this video but if you want a very nice and very expensive nice hot hatch then get the RS3 and you will not be disappointed
I love the 5 pot engine, but in this, the mercs engine is a work of art. its so perfectly balenced and the power delivery is pure savagery. Cannot beat a handbuilt engine either.
@@thelewisshow555 power delivery is savage I agree, but it doesn’t have the sound of the RS3. Can’t disagree with an AMG being a great engine (given my avatar!), but having a mini R8 engine is special in a hot hatch 😁
@@kempez I definitely rate the sound haha, 5 pots sound incredible!
5 pot better especially when u gon tune it
I had a saloon RS3 and the noise is unbelievable. I miss it so much after I chose to sell it due to a change in circumstances… there isn’t a week that goes by that I don’t look on AT to potentially buy another… any other car just doesn’t do it without the noise of the 5cyl…
Love the RS3, just a shame at how quiet it is
Get married if you need noise
The new RS3 is a monster. It’s up there in the stats with the 4&5.
I wish the A45S was available in the United States 😢
In mexico we have it I have one :D
You waited until nearly the end to tell us the Audi was on winter tyres!
You could see they winter tyres right from the start - look at the tread pattern. On summer tyres, it's faster.
Great vehicle our 2019 Audi RS 3, now at 37,637 miles of which 27,057 miles have been fast back roads runs 3 days a week
as weather permits. Equipped with Michelin 245/40/18 wheels on Neuspeed RSe10 18x8.5 alloy wheels, as the stock skinny
235/35/19 configuration only lasted 3 days! Been driving 64 years and this Audi is certainly a great performing vehicle. Many
ask about its Nardo Gray color, which seems to be very popular. Great machine indeed, based on my 64 years of high speed
driving in a great many various model/make automobiles.
As an out and out BMW fanboy, all I can say is that the RS3 is absolutely iconic!!! It is amazingggg!!!
Have you seen the tuned RS3's in Europe?
An icon. The Audi RS3!
Iconic? Not in a sense of what the BMW M2 has achieved ;)
@@Alby911 M2 - interior from the 90's and hopeless in the wet. Good luck with that.
@@mauricetoussaint7283 Ironic post given that you have a Porsche in your profile. A company that offers rear wheel drive(with a manual). Good luck with that in the wet, champ. Such a useless comment on your behalf.
@@mauricetoussaint7283 so true
@@Alby911
'Good luck in the wet,with that"
If you find rear wheel drive intimidating in the wet then you can't drive.
A skilled driver will relish wet weather in a rear wheel drive car!
Is the RS3 hatchback available in the U.S?
Honda had this system for the rear drivetrain on the Legend from 2007. It was called: SHAWD. Super Handling All Wheel Drive. It used the same system of clutches to apportion drive to each rear wheel. Nothing really new here.
Mitsubishi Anti Yaw Control, 1997
I think that the dashboard of the Merc is too fussy. Minimalist looks will stay looking good for longer. You can't beat the 5 pot engine which still has plenty of potential for a sharper tune. RS3 for me.
Mercs dashboard is a classic in the making. You too much of a fool to notice it though
Lol no actual way you think the merc interior is inferior to the bland audi. In years to come I’d still rather sit and look at the interior of the aesthetically pleasing merc over the audi or any vw product thats out now. I also like mbux much better.
@@TheEpyonz honestly second this🤑
I love the new RS3, and I'm planning to get one once they're available in the US, but even I can admit that the Merc interior is simply better.
Sorry man, if there one thing the Merc runs away with it, its the interior. Nothing in its class comes close, its also far less clumsy or fussy than most audi interiors
Both are amazing
The king is back!
Cant wait on mt rs3 its sick looking car
Why are winter/snow tyres fitted?
Are those winter tires ?
Does the Eurospec Rs3 have power seats? That's what stopped me from buying one here in the US
The tech keeps getting better and the price keeps going up , I take it this would be about 10k down and about 6/700 a month to own one of these?
4:35 The torque split front to rear isn't always 50:50. That would make it a proper permanent AWD, but it's not. It's a front-biased system, aka not a real AWD.
Undisturbed, its system has a 50:50 torque split front to rear; and when more torque is needed at the rear for drifting, torque to the front is reduced. In the RS Torque Rear mode used for drifting, it continually varies torque to the front to keep the car in balance and can send 100% of the torque to the outside rear wheel, if only for a fleeting moment. At the other extreme, Comfort/Efficiency mode, it prioritises the front by slipping the rear clutches.
@GT Suryateja I want to be wrong coz I want to like the car and I will never buy anything that's FWD or front-biased. I'm not claiming to be an Audi expert, but I'll be surprised (pleasantly) if it can be locked to 50:50 distribution in a particular mode. If it's that continuous variable bullshit and you have no control over it then no thanks.
The Ford Focus RS way back in 2016 showed these guys the way to do 4WD.
Took them awhile to catch up.
But that car was junk, especially the interior
@@fzr1000981 And the suspension...and the fit and finish
Yall forgetting the faulty engines
The new Lotus Emira looks incredible value - well, the base version is 60k!! Not as fast in a straight line and great practicality but wins in everything else.
testing cars on track and not recording a lap time, that's what makes for great content. (no one, 2022)
PSYKED to see the hatch back for the Audi 3. Please send that to the US
Both are good. But i wouldn’t spend £60k on a hot hatchback.
Audi : Try our sedan RS3 then!
RS3 on winter tires vs A45s on Summer tires. makes complete sense in fairness
now if only the RS3 SportBack / Hatchback came to Canada!
So it was you Ollie parked up at Toddington services on Wednesday!
But do the new multi clutches in the rear add to faster lap times?
Sure do. New RS3 Nurburgring lap time is 7:40. The previous generation was done in the TTRS, which would probably be even faster than the RS3, was 7:48.
For reference, the new RS3 is 4 seconds faster than the Tesla Model 3 Performance, despite that car having more HP.
@@crxtodd16 appreciate that info bro
Reduced unsprung weight should give better handling. so optional (expensive) ceramic disc brakes save significant weight per wheel, and that is not usually mentioned.
Normal customers are not talented enough to notice any difference. Does not worth the +5K£
Audi has lost its most redeeming quality: the interior leadership!
I have sat in both cars and while the Merc is flashier and more impressive with joined screens and aluminium, the Audi is still better in material quality. The Merc has a lot of hardand ugly plastics in the cabin that you just don't notice immediately
but it still leads in the headlight aspect. Audi always have the best lights, those animation on the RS-Etron GT is just too lovely
@@mickvastesaegher2140 Audi better than the Merc in quality no doubt, but I'd say the previous gen Audi interior trumps the current one. BRING BACK THE ROTARY KNOBS
then I take a mercedes.... 😁
Missing Jeremy Clarkson and his friends ❤️
Jesus Ollie you're some pilot !
The only thing is, which is going to be more capable and responsible to stage 2 (remain on stock turbos) tune…
Sometimes tunes can change a car totally..
Although the performance is similar stock…. being a larger displacement 2.5 and additional cylinder … I’m assuming the RS3 may have a bit contrast after a tune compared to the A4?
Those front, lower, bumper side intakes on the RS3 make it look like the hideous, outgoing, Civic Type-R. Audi has been making some really nice looking cars as of late, but this front end, misses the mark completely.
This car having a 5 cylinder is nothing to complain about. Yes its abit heavy but stillll
These Top Gear presenters can make any car looks boring … You ppl need to go back to 07-08 and take a look at your predecessors and the soul they could bring to every vehicle they touched. No names needed, we all know the real OG’s.
That's what I'm thinking! Wheres the good things now-a-days? They made it funny. These people, not at all.
This make u appreciate more of merc 2ltr 4 cylinder power.
Modded it's no comparison
Yeah I wish you posted lap times for these
For what it's worth: The RS3 is 8 seconds faster on the Nurburgring. Not that lap times should ever be the only metric to consider when purchasing a performance car.
Is the RS3 on winter tires?
LOL....addressed if I'd kept watching another 30 seconds...
So the car with summer tires is crispier than the car with winter tires?
>Winter tires
Would love to see comparable rubber in these tests. Absolutely necessary in these comparisons.
So it's not the same as the new golf r?
Real talk.
If you are gonna spend this kind of money, you want fun not a daily runner. Merc AMG allday!
On a rainy day what will happen 😂
Great review of both vehicles.
The Audi wins in my opinion hands down! They're subtle assasins and being in my late 30s, I'd feel embarrased driving the Merc as it looks a little juvenile and loud! I've also never got over the interior of the newer Mercs. I test drove one and didn't even get to the end of the road before turning around and handing it back. I wasn't a fan (personally) of the steering nor the outside noise. Build quality was poor for a 3 year old car. Just my opinion.
I have the S3 and it always fascinates me when people attempt to race me not realising what it actually is. Maybe the RS3 is the upgrade I need:)
what! why are they on winters with the rs
Mercs come along way in the hot hatch world.
A45S ALL THE WAY FOR ME
So the RS3 has the same type of diff as a 10 year old Evo?
RS3, so much better. Good looker, great in the snow, and a 5cyl!
Well 1 out 3 isn’t bad!
2:29 four seats only?
Why the audi have winter tires ?
Not much use on most roads today stuck behind eco boxes and traffic barely get above 30mph
interesting. Having sat in both I think the interior design is better in the Merc, but the build quality is definitely better in the Audi.
🤣
Gimme a break man, the build quality is better in the last-gen RS3 than the current one.
@@xIcarus227 agreed
Merc build quality is always worse than BMW and Mercedes
Is it fair to compare the two cars on track when one of the rolls on wintertyres? Come on Top Gear, whats goning on?
Good choice..
£60k for a hatchback 🚗 don’t think so….🤣
The only thing that bothers me is that uncovered windowsill. You have a black Interieur and you always see the green on the inside. That’s a nogo for that pricepoint of about 75000€
why on earth would you use winter tyres on a track?
Wheres the lap times?
Love these cars and the RS3 is the one I would choose but both are great.
Both are excellent cars, and I agree about which car I would drive day in day out.
The A45 feels more aggressive, nicer seats IMO but is not quite up to the build quality of the Audi. Also, the UK main dealers with an AMG department will top up the fluids for free if required. And they will negotiate over the price, and you have access to their AMG goodies section when you buy one. Oh, and the AMG is front wheel drive until you really push it, so gets good mpg for what it is when around town...
The RS3 sounds great, is easier to put into dynamic mode and IMO better built. The dealers do not like haggling as they feel it _cheapens_ the RS brand?! My 2c, the M2 always felt more alive, and you can put the seats onto the rails to sit low. Great sound and handling, but you have to be a good driver to get the most from it. The above 2 are easier to access their potential in all weather.
The RS3 is a more _relaxed_ drive, even in dynamic mode whereas the A45 is more aggressive. The RS3 'pops and bangs' are when downshifting and the A45 are when upshifting.
To be honest, both are excellent cars and can drive extremely fast, but for a few more £'s when the options are added the M3/4 is a choice to consider...
What are you talking about? RS3 doesn't have any sound. It nice but barely noticable. All you can hear is speakers.
@@pazera66 Both sound fairly tame to be fair. Welcome to the new age sadly.
@@Alby911 That fucking sucks. I was finally able to drive rs3 and and was left with really mixed feelings and headache from fake speaker sound :/
Both the Audi and the Merc are FWD until needed, the reviewer really messed up the way he worded it.
Both these systems can send up to 50% of the power to the rear, and both can send the power available to the rear axle (again, max 50% of the total power) to any of the rear wheels. These AWD systems are practically Haldex with an added an electronic diff at the back. They're both virtually identical in principle of operation.
I personally don't understand this fetish with part-time AWD systems, I understand they save fuel but you don't really care about fuel when you buy either of these cars. The AWD system in the Focus RS for example was much better and it would've helped both these cars feel more organic. Both of these have been criticized for feeling artificial to drive, and that's why.
Sadly M3 comp is way more expensive than the rs3 in Australia. I.e 180K vs 100k.
I liked the RS3 better when it was called the Focus RS and wasn’t nearly as expensive.
🤣 good shout!
And nowhere near as good, the interior on the focus is an absolute joke & don't get me started on the suspension a transit van has more comfort especially if you have the recaro bucket seats 😕
Everything you've said is true paul, but at what cost?!?!
if the interior quality was as good as its bigger brothers, paying 80-100k euros for these cars wouldnt bother that much. its just too cheap for that pricetag
If i could have RS3 body and build quality with A45s interior flare, seats and dash
How many presenters do you want?
Top Gear: yes
I own an A45s edition one, and have to disagree with your comment that it is a harsh ride on the road. I find this model A45 far more comfortable and quieter than the previous iteration. Far more! If you put the car into comfort mode it simply becomes a regular A class mercedes, very luxurious and comfortable (not harsh at all). But when you want to have some fun, put it into Sport + and it becomes an absolute monster, and incredibly fun to drive! I find no delay in power output at all either, power is always instant. I love the RS3, I have always been a fan of it, but I think the A45s takes the prize in this iteration of super hot hatches. Great review though, always love the A45 vs RS3 battles!
Small correction: current a45s does not have any exhaust sound. You got the good one ;)
@@pazera66 The current A45s that I have does not sound as good as the older one for sure. I do miss the sound, but I’m talking comfortability and performance.
@@Zenvo22 *performance on the road. On the track its a completely different story ;)
@@pazera66 You’re certainly right! Both cars on the track are absolute machines ;)
@@pazera66 Ive had a A45 for 4 years, it was the 280kw upgraded 2016 model. Tbh the inrerior was all plastics, even the driver seat adjustment panel went inside the door.🧐 The other thing that really pissed me off -I had to change 3 sets of front tyres, MB had no answer on how to fix the issue after numerous wheel alignments and balances.The inner tyre wear was an absolute joke & every time had to cough up $900 for 2 pirellies. Stop & start engine didn’t work , distronic plus worked whenever it wanted to work,noisy brakes after 12000 km travelled, the plastic triangular from the driver’s seat kept on falling off. Every 3000 km I had to fill up with engine coolant MB mechanics at the local dealership were so clueless and said to me it’s normal to fill up engine coolant. Go figure. I’ve tuned it to 317 kw and it was a beast, but other than that it wasn’t a good experience for me.Sold it with 25000 km on the clock. Worst car ever.
The car also has wider tires at the front, which probably helps with oversteer.
AMG for me
The material on that jacket didn’t do you any favors with regards to keeping you in the seats.
Currently own a 2018 C63, but I play with the thought of getting the new RS3 for months. This video made me fall in love even more
Why would you switch to this mediocre audi? It will be slower, less refined, smaller and you ears will bleed from speaker fake sounds.
Try the M3 or M4 or even a M340i or the equivalent 4-series, I would have said the new and upcoming C63 but the 4-pot needs to be seen on that car before making a statement on it. Overall, it would be better if you keep the C63 as Merc won't be making a V8 C63 again.
@@Amarjit_Singh The new M3 is great! RS5 is outdated, Audi needs to change gen in order to compete with what C63 and M3 are offering
@@ftu2021 Except the front grill, M3/M4 has everything that's great.
The course is too short 😢
definately AMG, no doubt :D
and I will echo all the others that say the same. Shame we can't get the a45s in the states 😞
Winter tyres on the RS3 is not a representative test for anyone in the UK. Put some 4s on it and it would be game changing
Hot hatch to hyper hatch, but where is the super hatch