In the top ten of hottest hatchbacks, the 420 hp Mercedes-AMG A 45 S and the Audi RS 3 probably score higher than the Volkswagen Golf R and the Audi S3. The Golf R has to do with ‘only’ 320 hp and the S3 does not go further than 310 hp. But if we look at the power and the acceleration times, our test duo is close to the fast A-class. The price differences are also significant. The Mercedes-AMG A 45 is going fast in the direction of 90,000 euros, the Audi RS 3 is even more than that. The Golf R has a starting price of 66,390 euros, the less powerful Audi S3 is slightly more expensive: 68,668 euros
In a direct confrontation you notice that the software experts at Volkswagen have tickled 10 hp more from the two-liter turbo engine than their Audi colleagues. The Golf R can reach 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds from standstill and trumps the S3 with 0.3 seconds. If you keep your foot on the gas while on the autobahn, the Golf can reach 150 km/h in 9.9 counts, the S3 takes 9.3 seconds.
With these figures you are undoubtedly the hero among the bobs in the pub as a Golf R driver. But alone on the road in the Audi, you will never experience it as slow. Whether from a standstill or during intermediate sprints, both cars are effortlessly and in no time at speeds that give you a great picture and a driving ban. The generous torque is available from about 2000 rpm, but even at 5000 rpm the two liters still respond just as eagerly to the accelerator pedal as a real estate speculator in a slum in Amsterdam.
Anyone who buys a hot hatch wants to enjoy all that horsepower to the fullest. And in that regard, the Golf R has the best credentials. He transfers his power to the asphalt with the most conviction under all conditions. We saw that in an earlier comparison between these two unequal brothers.
Do you want to know how the Audi S3 and the Volkswagen Golf R do on the other test items? You read it in the comparison test Auto Review 11/2021. You will also find all measurement data there. Now on sale!
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