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Most interesting to me is that this reads almost identically to the original RS3 reviews, implying that whilst the new model is better it's incremental, not revolutionary.
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/audi/audi-rs3-review/31977
Agree with both dbm and jose. Glad I bought a 911 now!
Disappointing with all the press PR about drift mode and sliding its just as font end borked as our cars
I'm really surprised they locked the ESP on for the track sessions. Surely they would want the journo's to experience this apparent drift capability! I expect it is possible, if ESP is full off and you drive hard enough. I managed to get my SQ5 sideways on roundabouts, so I'm not afraid to give it a try in an RS3!
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/audi-rs3-sportback-review-2015-04-15
Underwhelming conclusion
Yea I think the key is the use of the words 'up to' and 'capable of' - doesn't mean it's going to do it very often!The Top Gear write up seems a little more complementary.
The '100% torque to the rear' meme refuses to die. The only way this can happen is if the front wheels are on ice and the rear on tarmac. How often will that happen?
Yea I think the key is the use of the words 'up to' and 'capable of' - doesn't mean it's going to do it very often!
iam disappointed too. Although it is still early and we need to see more evidence, RS3 doesn't seem to be a big step over S3 or other 2.0TFSI options like Golf R (some reviewers says not only price but driving experience is better with Golf!!).
I wanted a RS3, but for me there are more disadvantages than advantages. I think S3 sedan Full + future upgrade with 360-380cv repro & exhaust can make the trick, and will look for next RS model in a few years.
its all horses for courses. The motoring press will allways find fault in any car; there are no perfect cars as each customer has different expectations. I for one don't push my S3 anywhere near what it is capable of, and use it according to the conditions and the way I want to drive. I certainly don't spend all of my time chucking around one bend after the next - which is what most moto jounalists seem to use as the benchmark for whether is ticks all the boxes all the time. I've been around thruxton in an S3 as a passenger with a pro who drove the car as if his life depended on getting around the circuit as fast as possible. To be frank, it scared the **** out of me, but it was hugely reassuring to know that when pushed, the S3 would remain planted around corners I would take at 60 or 70 and he took at over 100. Most of us never use anywhare near the full capacity or capability of our cars (other than possibly straight line acceleration) - but its hugely reassuring to know that there arre stacks of capability in reserve.
I remember when the honda fireblade came out - the motoring press lamblasted the bike as being too clinical in its power delivery. Didn't bother me in the slightest - and the fact that it accelerated from 0-140+ mph in a straght line (and i tried this up the runway at Abingdon) faster than you could think on the road, but it didn't necessarily have any 'rough edges' (read raw rider feedback) didn't bother me or most people who bought it. The fact that it was predicable meant you could ride it with confidence knowing how it would handle in any given situation.
I defy anybody to develop a marking criteria for 'balanced' or 'refined' which isn't wholly subjective; this a matter of perspective and the ultimate test of this is by the wide customer base all of whom have different needs from the car.
Plus that's a fantastic combination of clothing he's gone for...
His suit pants must still be at the dry cleaners...
This is an interesting quote for me from the Piston Heads review:
"Of the other extras the sports seats are perhaps the only ones to opt for. The sports exhaust suffers from Range Rover Sport SVR syndrome, where the standard noise is so good that it doesn't require messing around with by an overwrought sports system. And given how good the standard suspension felt on the road, the magnetic dampers seem a little unnecessary. But having not compared them in the same situations it's hard to be definitive."
I think that statement there is the final nail in the coffin for the magride/exhaust option for me.
The final test will be actually hearing the difference between the two
S3 I was testing hard for a week was fine but did not impress me so much, at least enough to go and buy it, so I was waiting for the "next step" RS3.
Now the RS3, at first impression, design and reviews, disappointed me.
My alternative is the CLA45 AMG, which by company agreements I get a nice discount of -20% (base price and extras are very high...).
Attached dashboard "ipad" is pretty ugly, and what's worse, gearshift not too fast as they say in the tests.
CLA45 Reestyling expected in next 6 months... if they only fix gearshift speed and adds a bit of extra power (expected 375 hp / 380 cv) I will go for it.
A few months pass quickly, I would like to choose between a RS3 Saloon (Plus?) & CLA45 AMG facelift.