597HP Audi RS3 Sportback Hits 62 Mph Faster Than A Ferrari 458

Not so long ago, 200 HP was more than enough for a hot hatch. Today, though, they are much more powerful in stock form – and can reach absurd numbers when tuned.

This RS3 Sportback is the work of a German tuner, called HGP Turbo, who has tuned its turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder to an astonishing 606PS (597hp / 446kW) and 710Nm (524lb-ft) of torque.

This has been achieved thanks to a new turbocharger, larger compressor, intake, K&N air filter, modified exhaust system and engine remapping. To cope with the insane power, the dual-clutch DSG gearbox has been updated, too. And the entire work, while not exactly cheap, didn’t cost an arm and a leg, but a relatively reasonable €15,500 ($17,984) in Germany, without the €1,400 ($1,624) installation.

Also Watch: Tuned, 500PS Audi RS3 Dares To Challenge A Porsche 911 Turbo S

Scrolling through the tuner’s website reveals some very impressive specs: 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 3.1 seconds, 0-200km/h (0-124mph) in 9.7 seconds, and a quarter-mile run in 11.01 seconds. So, in theory at least, this heavily modified Audi RS3 Sportback is faster to 100km/h (62mph) than the Ferrari 458 Italia, which needs 3.4sec, and just 0.1sec slower than the new 488 GTB.

The rest of the car remains pretty much untouched, bar the new 10-inch OZ rims wrapped in 235/35 Continental SportContact 6 tires.

If you don’t already own Audi’s super hatch, the finished item will cost you €77,730 ($90,185), which includes the €55,900 ($64,857) starting price of the Audi RS3 Sportback in Germany. Not bad for a five-door hatch that it’s allegedly quicker than the Audi R8, less expensive and more practical, too.