This new RS3...
Discussion
kmpowell said:
It's a very valid point indeed. I for one recently bought a new outgoing B8 RS4 because of the Quattro, choosing it over the new C63. If you look at the on-paper stats the C63 should annihilate the RS4... however, throw British weather into the mix and it changes the story completely. Point to point I think it's the perfect family estate suitable for everything this country can throw at it.
If you want proof, here you go... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VvRLMMMO48
cough... Steve Sutcliffe recommends the C63 over the Audi at the end of the video It isn't always raining here.If you want proof, here you go... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VvRLMMMO48
I actually test drove the new RS3 this weekend, shortly after I had a go in the A45 AMG. I've traditionally been a bit of an Audi hater so I surprised myself with my feedback.
Many comments on this thread complain about the price, but it really is £10k more car than it's rivals. It felt savagely fast compared to the A45 which actually felt lacking in straight line performance. The interior is also a much nicer place to sit, and the engine sounds miles better than any of the 4 pot hot hatches.
During the test drive we ended up behind the new Civic Type R with a clear bit of road in front. Assuming the other driver was using full revs, the RS3 is comfortably quicker.
One thing I would say is that the fuel consumption is shocking. The test drive was around 30 minutes, a mix of enthusiastic driving and gentle cruising and we achieved 13.6mpg (I reset it before the test drive). I'm fairly sure my V8 Ferrari will do better.
The test drives did make me realise that maybe a Hot Hatch isn't what I personally need right now, but if I was in the market for one the RS3 would be top of my list.
With regards to understeer, if you drive to within reasonable limits on the road it really isn't noticeable. And you wouldn't really take a car like that on the track, so the comments are irrelevant for road driving.
Many comments on this thread complain about the price, but it really is £10k more car than it's rivals. It felt savagely fast compared to the A45 which actually felt lacking in straight line performance. The interior is also a much nicer place to sit, and the engine sounds miles better than any of the 4 pot hot hatches.
During the test drive we ended up behind the new Civic Type R with a clear bit of road in front. Assuming the other driver was using full revs, the RS3 is comfortably quicker.
One thing I would say is that the fuel consumption is shocking. The test drive was around 30 minutes, a mix of enthusiastic driving and gentle cruising and we achieved 13.6mpg (I reset it before the test drive). I'm fairly sure my V8 Ferrari will do better.
The test drives did make me realise that maybe a Hot Hatch isn't what I personally need right now, but if I was in the market for one the RS3 would be top of my list.
With regards to understeer, if you drive to within reasonable limits on the road it really isn't noticeable. And you wouldn't really take a car like that on the track, so the comments are irrelevant for road driving.
Tickle said:
Blanchimont said:
What I don't understand is that why (I presume) Audi use the haldex system. Why not charge a little more (it's 40k basic, why worry about an extra 2k) and put the proper Quattro system the use in the R8 and the RS6; cars which don't suffer from understeer.
In the case of the R8, recalibrate it a little so it's predominantly Rear driven, but then send up to 50% to the front, rather than the 30% the R8 sends that way.
It baffles me.
IMHO Audi know there target market aren't to bothered if it understeers.In the case of the R8, recalibrate it a little so it's predominantly Rear driven, but then send up to 50% to the front, rather than the 30% the R8 sends that way.
It baffles me.
The RS3 doesn't particularly interest me, but I wonder if the fact that it has a bit of understeer is really a massive problem. Or am I mistaken and it's noticeable on the road as well?
EDIT: According to the above post, I guess not
topless360 said:
I actually test drove the new RS3 this weekend, shortly after I had a go in the A45 AMG. I've traditionally been a bit of an Audi hater so I surprised myself with my feedback.
Many comments on this thread complain about the price, but it really is £10k more car than it's rivals. It felt savagely fast compared to the A45 which actually felt lacking in straight line performance. The interior is also a much nicer place to sit, and the engine sounds miles better than any of the 4 pot hot hatches.
During the test drive we ended up behind the new Civic Type R with a clear bit of road in front. Assuming the other driver was using full revs, the RS3 is comfortably quicker.
One thing I would say is that the fuel consumption is shocking. The test drive was around 30 minutes, a mix of enthusiastic driving and gentle cruising and we achieved 13.6mpg (I reset it before the test drive). I'm fairly sure my V8 Ferrari will do better.
The test drives did make me realise that maybe a Hot Hatch isn't what I personally need right now, but if I was in the market for one the RS3 would be top of my list.
With regards to understeer, if you drive to within reasonable limits on the road it really isn't noticeable. And you wouldn't really take a car like that on the track, so the comments are irrelevant for road driving.
An good, interesting insight...apart from the last paragraph. You have the mother of all hot hatches, 4WD, spend alot to get one and then..... drive within reasonable limits. Now that's kind of spound sensible and certainly good legal advice.Many comments on this thread complain about the price, but it really is £10k more car than it's rivals. It felt savagely fast compared to the A45 which actually felt lacking in straight line performance. The interior is also a much nicer place to sit, and the engine sounds miles better than any of the 4 pot hot hatches.
During the test drive we ended up behind the new Civic Type R with a clear bit of road in front. Assuming the other driver was using full revs, the RS3 is comfortably quicker.
One thing I would say is that the fuel consumption is shocking. The test drive was around 30 minutes, a mix of enthusiastic driving and gentle cruising and we achieved 13.6mpg (I reset it before the test drive). I'm fairly sure my V8 Ferrari will do better.
The test drives did make me realise that maybe a Hot Hatch isn't what I personally need right now, but if I was in the market for one the RS3 would be top of my list.
With regards to understeer, if you drive to within reasonable limits on the road it really isn't noticeable. And you wouldn't really take a car like that on the track, so the comments are irrelevant for road driving.
What however has this car been designed to do? I would suggest the power and stuff it has suggests somthing akin to driving it outside reasonable limits.... depending on your definition of reasonable of course
Diderot said:
Blanchimont said:
zeDuffMan said:
50k is for one with ceramics, which neither the 4C or the F-Type have as standard.
So it's a 40k hatch then, and you'll probably say that's still a lot for a hatchback. But I bet if they make another TTRS with that engine, it'll be absolutely fine, because it'll be less practical and somehow that makes more sense.
What I'm trying to say is this RS3 work 10k more (at £40k) than a Golf R/M135i/Focus RS? I know some people don't like the Golf R or the BMW, but for 10k you can make one of them a lot more special. The Focus RS is it's biggest rival, but I can't see the Focus being 40 grand basic?So it's a 40k hatch then, and you'll probably say that's still a lot for a hatchback. But I bet if they make another TTRS with that engine, it'll be absolutely fine, because it'll be less practical and somehow that makes more sense.
RS3 can't even match a Golf R https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3jWVTKYcP0
nickfrog said:
Diderot said:
Blanchimont said:
zeDuffMan said:
50k is for one with ceramics, which neither the 4C or the F-Type have as standard.
So it's a 40k hatch then, and you'll probably say that's still a lot for a hatchback. But I bet if they make another TTRS with that engine, it'll be absolutely fine, because it'll be less practical and somehow that makes more sense.
What I'm trying to say is this RS3 work 10k more (at £40k) than a Golf R/M135i/Focus RS? I know some people don't like the Golf R or the BMW, but for 10k you can make one of them a lot more special. The Focus RS is it's biggest rival, but I can't see the Focus being 40 grand basic?So it's a 40k hatch then, and you'll probably say that's still a lot for a hatchback. But I bet if they make another TTRS with that engine, it'll be absolutely fine, because it'll be less practical and somehow that makes more sense.
RS3 can't even match a Golf R https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3jWVTKYcP0
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