It’s a rivalry that feels almost personal, like two titans of the hot hatch world who can’t quite shake each other. For years, the Audi RS3 and the Mercedes-AMG A45 have been locked in a fierce, often exhilarating, battle for supremacy. They’re the kind of cars that make you grin from ear to ear, the ones that remind you why driving can be such a joyous, visceral experience.
It all started with the Mercedes-AMG A45. When AMG first ventured into transverse-engined, front-biased territory, they packed a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine into the A45, pushing out a formidable 355bhp. It was a potent machine, undeniably German and impressively quick, carving out a niche in a segment already occupied by strong contenders.
Then came Audi, with its RS3, upping the ante with a five-cylinder engine and a little more power – 367bhp, to be precise. It was a direct challenge, a gauntlet thrown down. And Mercedes-AMG, never one to back down, responded by revising the A45, squeezing out an extra 21bhp to reach 376bhp. The game of one-upmanship was well and truly on.
Now, Audi has refined the RS3 once more, pushing its five-cylinder heart to an impressive 394bhp. We’re talking about a hot hatchback that can genuinely rival the performance figures of legendary supercars from not too long ago. It’s a testament to how far these machines have come, and perhaps a little bit of a wink to the sheer absurdity of it all – a five-door hatch with nearly 400 horsepower.
Stepping inside either of these cars, you’re met with a familiar, yet distinct, sense of occasion. Audi interiors are typically a masterclass in solid, functional design. The RS3’s cabin is no different: austere, perhaps, but impeccably built, with all the hallmarks of a performance machine – aluminium accents, Alcantara on the steering wheel, and supportive, figure-hugging seats. It’s a checklist of premium hot hatch ingredients, executed with typical Audi precision.
The Mercedes-AMG A45 offers a similar, yet subtly different, experience. The seating position tends to be a touch more upright, and the steering wheel often features more Alcantara, complemented by metallic plastics on the gear selector. Both cars naturally encourage you to use the paddle shifters, and both feature interesting dash materials – the A45 sporting something akin to a technical weave that hints at its performance pedigree.
Under the bonnet, the Audi’s 2.5-litre, five-cylinder engine is a gem. It’s the kind of engine that the world should cherish, a rarity in today’s automotive landscape. It delivers its near-400bhp with a surprising sense of calm, thanks to a turbocharger that provides a substantial 354lb ft of torque from a mere 1700rpm, holding strong until 5850rpm. This means a relentless surge of power, making the RS3 blisteringly quick. Hitting 60mph in under four seconds is now a routine affair, a feat that once required careful tyre warming and clutch management.
The A45, with its 2.0-litre four-cylinder, has to work a bit harder to match the RS3’s pace. Its 376bhp peak arrives at 6000rpm, and its full 350lb ft of torque doesn’t arrive until 2250rpm. This means you’ll likely be revving it more enthusiastically to extract its best performance, a characteristic that adds to its engaging, albeit more demanding, driving personality.
However, this difference in engine configuration has implications for the driving dynamics. The Audi’s larger, five-cylinder engine, even with its recent weight reduction thanks to an aluminium block, can still feel a little heavier in the nose compared to the A45’s more compact four-pot. Yet, Audi Sport (formerly Quattro GmbH) has worked wonders with the RS3’s chassis. The all-wheel-drive system is adept at shuffling torque, subtly preparing for corner exits by sending power rearward, which helps to mitigate understeer. On a track, the RS3 offers immense grip, often more than the engine can overcome. In damp conditions, it can even be coaxed into a controlled slide, a neutral drift with a hint of understeer – a truly thrilling prospect.
Ultimately, the choice between these two performance powerhouses comes down to personal preference. Do you favour the relentless, effortless pace and refined interior of the Audi RS3, or the more frenetic, rev-happy character and slightly more upright driving position of the Mercedes-AMG A45? Both offer an intoxicating blend of speed, agility, and everyday usability, proving that you don’t need a supercar to experience pure driving exhilaration.
