The ultimate small hatch? The Audi RS3

[Tuanies]

Asking honestly here...how does Ford's AWD system compare to the best around (Audi/Subaru)? The 'normal' Ford AWD systems are the passive 'slip and grip', is the RS different? In the past I believe they have used a Quaife system, but I am curious what they plan to implement here.

I tried doing some searching, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of info on the torque split or vectoring numbers to expect.

From my experience with the Ford system in the Escape with the 2.0 turbo, it works well. On wet pavement or dirt roads, its pretty transparent in how it operates. You get grip without the usual understeer before the rear wheels kick in like the Honda Real-Time AWD or oversteer before the front wheels kick in like the BMW system.

For your typical buyer/driver, you won't notice any delays.

 

[exar333]

From my experience with the Ford system in the Escape with the 2.0 turbo, it works well. On wet pavement or dirt roads, its pretty transparent in how it operates. You get grip without the usual understeer before the rear wheels kick in like the Honda Real-Time AWD or oversteer before the front wheels kick in like the BMW system.

For your typical buyer/driver, you won't notice any delays.

That makes sense, but we are talking about a ~$35k+ car (most likely) that is built for performance. Grip assistance and some understeer help doesn't warrant the extra cost enough IMHO. It need's to have a serious AWD system to compete with Audi/VW and Subaru especially.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

If it looks anything like the A3, I'll pass. It's really small and ugly.

 

[reallyscrued]

How is this news at all? This RS3 isn't coming to the US, just like many other Audi RS models in the past.

Considering the 1994 RS2 Avant had 315 HP from a 2.2L 5-cylinder, they really haven't made much progress since then.

Point taken.

Didn't know these existed.

 

[Insomniator]

How is this news at all? This RS3 isn't coming to the US, just like many other Audi RS models in the past.

Considering the 1994 RS2 Avant had 315 HP from a 2.2L 5-cylinder, they really haven't made much progress since then.

that thing is awesome

 

[Tuanies]

That makes sense, but we are talking about a ~$35k+ car (most likely) that is built for performance. Grip assistance and some understeer help doesn't warrant the extra cost enough IMHO. It need's to have a serious AWD system to compete with Audi/VW and Subaru especially.

The Golf R uses a Haldex AWD system that operates very similarly, I assume the A3 is the same. Not sure why it'd be an issue just because it has a Ford badge on it.

 

[Colt45]

RS2 was 100k DM though (uhh maybe 75k USD in 1994 dollars.. what's that, 125k today?)

It had real quattro though. I don't really trust the haldex setup on A3/TT/golf. and fucking hate working on transverse engines.