The BMW M2 is the classic definition of a sports car: longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive and a true coupé bodywork. The German sports car comes equipped with an in-line six-cylinder engine and 3.0 liters of capacity, turbo and around 370 hp at 6500 rpm, and 465 Nm between 1350 and 4500 rpm — 500 Nm in overboost . It is capable of accelerating up to 100 km/h in just 4.5s and the top speed is 250 km/h (optionally 270 km/h).
RS3 with distinct ingredients
But one of its main rivals today has little or no respect for the classic recipe for a sports car: the Audi RS3 is a four-door saloon, with an “everything in front” architecture. The engine is placed transversely in front of the front axle and, despite the basic architecture being that of a front wheel drive, the RS3 has a driving rear axle, which makes it possible to cancel out the loss of traction.
The efficient German gun comes equipped with a five-cylinder in-line, with 2.5 liters and turbo, 400 hp available between 5850 and 7000rpm, and maximum torque is 480Nm between 1700 and 5850rpm. It is capable of reaching 100 km/h in 4.1s and is also limited to 250 km/h (optionally 280 km/h).
Cold does not help traction
On paper the difference gives the Audi RS3 a slight advantage — more power and traction at four — but does it translate to real conditions? That's what Autocar demonstrates, putting both models side by side, in a drag race.
The conditions of this test favor the RS3: the air and floor temperature are too low, the tires are too cold, so traction at start will be a problem for the BMW M2 . As we can see, the Audi RS3 simply leaves the BMW M2 behind. What if instead of a stopped game, it is a launched game?
Traction problems are no longer present, even with low temperatures, and give the BMW M2 a chance to show what it's really worth — will it win the RS3?