According to Car and Driver's latest issue...

"Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
08/08/2014 at 12:37 • Filed to: None

...the Audi S3 will hit 60 in 4.4 seconds.

O_o

You can expect a DSG equipped MKVII Golf R to be just as quick, if not quicker (I think it's a little lighter).

DISCUSSION (17)

Party-vi > Saracen
08/08/2014 at 12:40

But will VAG allow a VW to eclipse their new star Audi? I expect the figures on paper for the Golf R to be neutered to save the S3 some face.

Brian Silvestro > Saracen
08/08/2014 at 12:40

Man, if they bring Manuél to the US as well (smuggle him over the border), then that car will be truly awesome.

spanfucker retire bitch > Saracen
08/08/2014 at 12:40

That's as quick as the CLA45 AMG despite being down on power.

adidas > Party-vi
08/08/2014 at 12:44

Long time no see...I think VAG has done a good enough job of separating the brands that it won't matter to anyone but the hardcore enthusiasts.

Saracen > Party-vi
08/08/2014 at 12:44

The R is officially rated at 290 horsepower for the US. Keep in mind, hatchbacks still aren't very popular in general...and I think that it's more likely that would-be S4 buyers will be drawn to the S3 instead.

Party-vi > Saracen
08/08/2014 at 12:46

Ah, I meant the performance figures, e.g. 0-60, 1/4 mile, etc. Audi wants the S3 to sell, so I'm sure they don't want sales taken by people looking for a faster Golf R that also costs less.

Party-vi > adidas
08/08/2014 at 12:47

GM did the same thing with the "new" Regal GS and Cadillac CTS - neutered it so it wouldn't compete with the CTS 3.6. We'll see how this goes.

Also hai!

Saracen > spanfucker retire bitch
08/08/2014 at 12:48

The CLA45 is 300 pounds heavier. Though, I think Motor Trend and some other mag clocked 4.1-4.2..

Saracen > Party-vi
08/08/2014 at 12:49

I know what you mean...but most Audi buyers would look at the Golf R and say "ew lol hatchback". There's a reason that Audi only sells sedans and SUVs now.

GhostZ > Saracen
08/08/2014 at 12:50

I'd love to see a showdown where they take a bunch of old and new cars, like 20 of them, with varying 0-60 times, some with traction control, some with launch control, and some with neither, and then go find random people (not race car drivers) to try and get the best time they can get out of them and record the results. Get a sample of plenty of normal people with no racing experience, set them up on a drag strip or airfield, and have them try in every car to normalize the results.

It would be really interesting to see if those 0-60 numbers are attainable, and if launch control actually helps in the real world.

Party-vi > Brian Silvestro
08/08/2014 at 12:52

lol keep dreaming. It's (as of now) only a DCT.

Saracen > GhostZ
08/08/2014 at 12:53

Oh, launch control really does help. It's pretty much idiot proof.

Party-vi > Saracen
08/08/2014 at 12:54

I see - that's why the old A3 died, eh? I'm all for the S3 - hopefully one can be had in a few years for just about $30k!

Brian Silvestro > Party-vi
08/08/2014 at 12:54

Poor Manuél...

Tekamul > GhostZ
08/08/2014 at 13:00

Launch control makes a huge difference. That's one of the reasons why I think a lot of 0-60 times are BS. You're (almost) never going to use it on the street, it's just added for bragging rights. Look at the roll out (5-60) times of a lot of the high tech rockets . They are significantly slower without the electronics and static tire friction.

In other words, you'll never get those published 0-60 times in real driving.

GhostZ > Tekamul
08/08/2014 at 13:03

I owe you something for putting me face-to-face with that video of Chris Harris drinking while launching a 997.

Reminds me a lot of the whole turbo lag debate, that without precharging the turbo (which you don't do in regular driving) by keeping the RPMs up, you don't get anywhere near the power that you should be getting.

Plus, if I had a car like that, I would roll it anyway just to save the clutch, which would be infinitely more expensive to replace in a DCT with launch control.

Tekamul > GhostZ
08/08/2014 at 13:14

Yes, it definitely would be costly. Ask the 1st year American GT-R owners. The launch control fries both the clutch and the warranty!