Are New Cars Worth It? Audi RS3 Generations Drag Race

TL;DR

The newest Audi RS3 is quickest, but its narrow quarter-mile advantage suggests an older model may offer stronger value. The £56,000 Mark III ran 12.1 seconds, versus 12.3 seconds for the £35,000 Mark II and 13 seconds for the £25,000 original. Read on for their specifications, rolling-race results, braking performance, and key differences.

Transcript

Hi how are you Matt Watson here from Colorado so I'm sad in a Mark 3 Audi RS3 next to me is Mark II Audi RS3 and next to that is the Mark 1 Audi RS3 because we're going to have an Audi RS3 Generations drag race I know what you're thinking Matt you're in a saloon not a hatchback well we couldn't get the Hatchback for this race but it doesn't really ... Read More

Key Insights

• ✋ The Mark III Audi RS3 has the highest power and torque among the three generations.
• 🏋️ The Mark II RS3 weighs less than the Mark III but has similar specifications.
• 🏋️ The original RS3 has the same weight as the Mark III but has a less powerful engine.
• 😀 The Mark III RS3 won the standing quarter mile drag race.
• 🦡 The Mark III RS3 performed the worst in the brake test.
• 🙂 The lighter weight of the Mark II RS3 likely contributed to its better performance in the brake test.
• 😘 The value of the Mark II is significantly lower compared to the other two generations.

Questions & Answers

Q: Which Audi RS3 generation won the drag race?

The Mark III Audi RS3 won the standing quarter mile in 12.1 seconds. The Mark II finished in 12.3 seconds, while the original Mark I completed it in 13 seconds.

Q: Are newer Audi RS3 models worth the higher price?

The results show a relatively small performance gap between the £56,000 Mark III and the £35,000 Mark II: their quarter-mile times were 12.1 and 12.3 seconds. The £25,000 original was slower at 13 seconds, so the older cars cost less while remaining competitive in the race.

Q: What are the specifications of the Mark III Audi RS3?

The Mark III has a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine producing 400 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. It weighs 1,575 kilos, drives all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox with launch control, and costs £56,000 new.

Q: How does the Mark II Audi RS3 compare with the Mark III?

The 2018 Mark II also produces 400 horsepower from a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, but it has 480 Nm rather than 500 Nm of torque. It weighs 1,510 kilos and is valued at £35,000, compared with the Mark III's 1,575 kilos and £56,000 new price.

Q: What are the specifications and value of the original Audi RS3?

The 2012 original RS3 has a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine producing 340 horsepower and 480 Nm of torque. It weighs 1,575 kilos, uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, and is valued at £25,000.

Q: What happened in the Audi RS3 rolling race from 50 mph?

The cars started in Comfort mode with their gearboxes operating automatically. The Mark III and Mark II were close, but the Mark III gradually moved ahead, while the original RS3's gearbox reacted slowly and its lower power left it behind.

Q: How did the three Audi RS3 generations perform in the brake test?

The Mark III performed worst in the brake test from 100 mph, taking longer to stop than the Mark II and original RS3. The lighter Mark II performed better; it weighs 1,510 kilos compared with 1,575 kilos for both the Mark III and original.

Q: Does using a Mark III RS3 saloon instead of a hatchback affect the comparison?

The presenter says the Mark III saloon's statistics are identical to those of the hatchback, so its body style does not alter the stated specifications for this comparison. The saloon still represents the Mark III with 400 horsepower, 500 Nm of torque, and a weight of 1,575 kilos.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Mark III Audi RS3 has a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine with 400 horsepower and 500 Newton meters of torque.

• The Mark II Audi RS3 has similar specs to the Mark III but weighs slightly less and has a lower value.

• The original Audi RS3 has a less powerful engine but weighs the same as the Mark III.