Performance Review: Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo - [2010]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2010. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo and the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport.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 All Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1650 kgs (3637 lbs) this makes the Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 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 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 2480cc 20V St5 engine produces 335 bhp (249 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Turbo St5 throws out 332 lb-ft (450.1 Nm) @ 1600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 1967 Monteverdi High Speed 375 L 7.2 V8 (227.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A3.

The Audi A3 has a Power to weight ratio of 203.0 bhp per ton and 201.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2010 A3 competing with the 1967 Monteverdi High Speed 375 L 7.2 V8 (227.9 bhp per ton) or the 2006 BMW Z4 3.2 M Roadster 2d (227.6 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 201.2 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 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS 5.7 V8 (226.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1992 Maserati Shamal 3.2L V8 BiTurbo (225.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.8 secs, this made the Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the or the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs). This Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the and the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A3 and the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302

When talking about the performance of the Audi A3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.52 secs @ 101.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 (13.46 secs), the 1951 Jaguar C Type 3.4L (13.50 secs), and the 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR (13.51 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2010 version of the Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2010 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 2010 Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 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:

2010 A3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison