[den525]

Now that's a proper comparison!! Evo just released a preview of the RS3 I know figures has been out for a while 270kw and 465nm. That would be very similar to the m2.

[JustChris]

Indeed and a Quattro as standard. Looks pretty average but performance, at least in a straight line, will be good.

[ORIGIN M.]

Where is the link?

[CSBM5]

http://www.evo.co.uk/audi/rs3/15170/...video-and-more

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

http://www.evo.co.uk/audi/rs3/15170/...video-and-more

Thanks Chuck. I hope it does come to the US, although I wish Audi threw us manual transmission fans at least one last bone...

[Thibs]

I love the sound of that 5 cylinder engine

[Mark's M]

Looks good, true test will be under dry track conditions to see if Audi has finally conquered their overly obnoxious understeer.

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by KevinM

Thanks Chuck. I hope it does come to the US, although I wish Audi threw us manual transmission fans at one last bone...

I'm guessing the odds are in favor of Audi USA screwing this up once again by only allowing the USA to have a sedan RS3 while at the same time pricing it very high...something stupid like starting at $65k. Forget the manual as I think Audi is doing their best to eliminate those for good.

[vladberca]

On track it will be another story against the M2

[den525]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

I'm guessing the odds are in favor of Audi USA screwing this up once again by only allowing the USA to have a sedan RS3 while at the same time pricing it very high...something stupid like starting at $65k. Forget the manual as I think Audi is doing their best to eliminate those for good.

Pretty sure rs3 for now is sportsback ONLY. No word on Sedan version

[Mark's M]

Originally Posted by vladberca

On track it will be another story against the M2

Absolutely no doubt in my mind!

[W///]

That car sure sounds mean. It's a little on the boring side in the looks department and lack of 6MT really kills it for me.

I can't wait to see the M2 vs RS3 vs CLA45. There are going to be some great comparisons for sure.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by W///

That car sure sounds mean. It's a little on the boring side in the looks department and lack of 6MT really kills it for me.

I can't wait to see the M2 vs RS3 vs CLA45. There are going to be some great comparisons for sure.

Totally agree, only threat to M2 from R, R400, RS3 really in wet conditions IMO. R400 might push it for sure on a dry track. Still VW looks and dull interiors don't do it for me.

[Lt1camaro]

I feel like we cant even compare the CLA45 to the M2 or RS3. When watching Motortrend's CLA45 vs M235i, the M235i gave the CLA a run for its money.

[W///]

Originally Posted by Lt1camaro

I feel like we cant even compare the CLA45 to the M2 or RS3. When watching Motortrend's CLA45 vs M235i, the M235i gave the CLA a run for its money.

Sounds more like Benz's problem than BMW's

There are rumors about a Black Series in the pipeline though.

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by den525

Pretty sure rs3 for now is sportsback ONLY. No word on Sedan version

I'm talking about the USA only version of the car. Audi USA is convinced that there is no market here for a sportback (which I strongly disagree with); hence, we are denied any A3/S3 Sportback and only get a sedan version. It's already been speculated in the press that the USA will get a sedan RS3.

[Tony]

Have you seen the RS3? It looks generic and bland (no aggressiveness). No extended wheel arches or nothing to set it apart from the pack. The RS3 looks like a higher trim level S3 (which is a higher trim A3). The body panels are the same on the A3 as the RS3. Only differences are the front bumper, rear diffuser, larger wheels, brakes and lower stance. An A3 can be easily made to look like an RS3. There isn't enough distinction. In fact I'm expecting folks to confuse the RS3 for an S3 or an A3. They are that similar. No one will confuse an M2 for a 228.

And then there's the sportback? Yuk.. The sportback looks so cookie cutter and generic. The C-Pillar on that car looks awful. I'm in the minority though, because it seems that everyone loves the sportback design. Not me. When it comes to aggressive looks? The M2 is going to crap all over the RS3. We have to wait to see what the performance will be.

[auf Deutsch]

Originally Posted by Lt1camaro

I feel like we cant even compare the CLA45 to the M2 or RS3. When watching Motortrend's CLA45 vs M235i, the M235i gave the CLA a run for its money.

Agree. The M235i is a tick slower than the Ain'tMG, unnoticeable on a road or track. And as far as a black series is concerned, AMG has historically only used 2 door versions. In addition, it would price itself out of the market. Who will pay $70k+ for a CLA45 black?

[vladberca]

I don't know if the 2l AMG can be pushed even more in a successful way.. And with a price higher than M2, at the M3 level, who will buy it?
On the other hand, M3 should have stayed with a V8! But that's another story

[den525]

Originally Posted by Tony

Have you seen the RS3? It looks generic and bland (no aggressiveness). No extended wheel arches or nothing to set it apart from the pack. The RS3 looks like a higher trim level S3 (which is a higher trim A3). The body panels are the same on the A3 as the RS3. Only differences are the front bumper, rear diffuser, larger wheels, brakes and lower stance. An A3 can be easily made to look like an RS3. There isn't enough distinction. In fact I'm expecting folks to confuse the RS3 for an S3 or an A3. They are that similar. No one will confuse an M2 for a 228.

And then there's the sportback? Yuk.. The sportback looks so cookie cutter and generic. The C-Pillar on that car looks awful. I'm in the minority though, because it seems that everyone loves the sportback design. Not me. When it comes to aggressive looks? The M2 is going to crap all over the RS3. We have to wait to see what the performance will be.

To be honest, people confuse the 135i with 1M... People will get confused with the M2 and M235i and S3 and RS3. The point is if you know your cars, you'd know instantly, if you don't you won't.

In terms of looks they haven't even released the M2 yet... how can you possibly say it has a more aggressive look? Base on the 1M?

Straight line performance would be close to identical... M2 can't be faster than the M3... So it will be in the region of 4.4.

People seem to think there will be a huge difference between the M2 and the M135 or M235i... It won't be as big as the E82 135i and 1M or the 435i and M4. As those cars are M performance cars already.

[m981addicts]

I'd definitely test drive the RS3 IF it comes to the USA in sedan form. However, I think the M2 will be the better car for my taste.

Went to the dealer this weekend to sit in an A3/S3 and I hit my head going in. Not sure if it's because I've been driving a coupe for so long that I forgot how to get into a sedan?

[den525]

An update

http://blog.caranddriver.com/audi-co...3-for-the-u-s/