After edging out the BMW M2 on this very same track, the Mercedes-AMG A45 puts its 381 PS 4-cylinder turbocharged engine to the test against what is arguably its biggest and most direct rival.
The Audi RS3 is less powerful than the updated A45, and not by an insignificant margin. Where the Mercedes presents itself with 381 PS and 475 Nm (350 lb-ft) of torque, the Audi puts down 367 PS and 465 Nm (342 lb-ft).
Weight is another issue for the RS3 as it stands at 1,595 kg (3,516 lbs), whereas the A45 is 40 kg (88 lbs) lighter. Other than that, both cars are 5-door models, both have all-wheel drive and both feature 7-speed automatic transmissions.
The guys from Cars.co.za are drag racing the two hot hatchbacks over a distance of 380 meters (415 yards), which means that getting a great start off the line is crucial in order to not have to fight your way back as soon as the flag drops.
But since both cars send power to all four wheels and power output figures are…as they are, perhaps we should also consider the fight between the two transmissions – namely Audi’s 7-speed S tronic gearbox versus Mercedes’ 7-speed AMG Speedshift DCT.