Performance Review: Audi A3 RS3 2.5 Turbo - [2018]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A3 RS3 2.5 Turbo is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2018. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2019 Pininfarina Battista 1900 and the 2019 Bugatti Chiron Sport 110 ans Bugatti.This particular Audi A3 has a 2480cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 5 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St5's includes the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo

The A3 shares its Petrol St5 engine configuration with the likes of the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo and the 2018 Audi TT RS 2.5 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the A3's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1630 kgs (3593 lbs) this makes the Audi A3 RS3 2.5 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A3 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp)

In terms of power the 2480cc 20V St5 engine produces 400 bhp (298 kW) @ 5850 rpm similar to the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp) or the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp).

The Turbo St5 throws out 354 lb-ft (479.9 Nm) @ 1700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Audi A3 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 BMW 4 Series M4 (270.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A3.

The Audi A3 has a Power to weight ratio of 245.3 bhp per ton and 217.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2018 A3 competing with the 2013 BMW 4 Series M4 (270.3 bhp per ton) or the 1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400S (270.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Audi A3 generating around 217.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1966 Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 (242.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Audi R8 Plus 5.2 V10 (241.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.0 secs, this made the Audi A3 RS3 2.5 Turbo as fast as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs). This Audi A3 RS3 2.5 Turbo is also faster than the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the and the 2020 BMW 4 Series M4 Coupe 3.0 Bi Turbo G82 (4.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A3 and the 1968 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 6.3 V8 383

When talking about the performance of the Audi A3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.93 secs @ 105.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1968 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 6.3 V8 383 (12.87 secs), the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Biturbo (12.88 secs), and the 1970 Ford Torino 2nd Gen Cobra SportsRoof Boss (12.89 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2018 version of the Audi A3 RS3 2.5 Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2018 A3 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2018 Audi A3 RS3 2.5 Turbo then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2018 A3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison