Japan has also developed a strong following for their aggressive hatchbacks, but the Germans have been doing it for much longer. Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Opel, and VW all have their own impressive examples. And in true German fashion, the closer the relationship between the brands, the more intense the rivalry. Take Audi and VW for example – Audi, known as the Lord of the Four Rings, is more focused on performance compared to its blue-collar sibling, which typically caters to the common people.
However, VW made an exception to this rule when they introduced the hot Golfs, such as the GTIs and Rs, which are a far cry from the ordinary hatchbacks they are based on. Not wanting VW to take all the credit, Audi joined the competition with their A3 platform, which underwent special training to become the RS 3.
And that brings us to the present moment – a Golf Mk 7.5 R going head-to-head with “the fastest RS 3 in the world” (according to the owner’s Dragy records). The rules are simple: rolling races followed by standing quarter-mile sprints. The first one to cross the finish line is the winner – England doesn’t care about elapsed times, it’s all about the bragging rights.
The YouTube channel “Officially Gassed” is responsible for capturing this unique showdown. Both cars have been modified and are far from stock, making them the ultimate sleepers on the roads. Despite their unassuming appearances, these cars pack a serious punch.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged Golf, thanks to aftermarket modifications, now produces over 100% more power than VW originally intended. With 650 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque, this four-cylinder powerhouse is sent to all four wheels through a dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox. On the other hand, the Audi is confident in its 649 PS and 750 Nm (equivalent to 640 hp and 553 lb-ft) to take on the Golf and emerge victorious.
However, the Audi RS 3 has the disadvantage of having three extra doors compared to the VW, resulting in a 100-kg (220-lb) weight handicap. In terms of power-to-weight ratio, the RS 3 falls short with 35 bhp/ton compared to the Golf’s 442 bhp/ton. This could play a decisive role in the 1,320-foot-long battle. But with both cars heavily modified, the winner will ultimately be determined by the level of performance enhancements.
Photo: YouTube/OFFICIALLY GASSED – OG
However, the modifications made to the Volkswagen far surpass the ones done to the Audi – refer to the image above this paragraph for a comparison of the alterations made to each car. Despite having 20% less engine capacity and one fewer cylinder than the Audi, the VW needed significant enhancements to level the playing field. Considering that the original power outputs were not on par, the Golf has made remarkable progress. The stock 2.5-liter Audi produced 400 PS (395 hp), while the Volkswagen had to settle for 90 PS less (310 PS/306 hp).
The Audi learns a valuable lesson in rolling start speed and acceleration, although it doesn’t fall too far behind the ultimate winner – the Golf R dominates two out of the three stages in this initial round. The less ostentatious emblem allows for better power delivery, taking 6.13 seconds to go from 100 kph (62 mph) to 200 kph (124 mph). The RS 3 follows closely behind at 6.19 seconds – just a fraction too late.
The drag race serves as the benchmark for all performances in the 10-second range, and both cars live up to their similar tuning figures. Once again, the RS 3 trails the Golf R by a mere three-hundredths of a second (10.69 vs. 10.72) at the finish line. In terms of top speed, the two sibling vehicles are equally matched: the three-door Volkswagen achieves a terminal velocity of 133.25 mph (214.39 kph), while the Audi edges ahead with 133.39 mph (214.62 kph).
However, this round is marred by the negative aspects of engine tuning. In the first race, the Audi experiences rear brake lock-up and desperately holds on, allowing the Golf R to effortlessly take the victory. In the second leg, the high-performance Golf encounters a catastrophic failure in its Haldex 5 multi-plate clutch responsible for distributing torque to the rear axle, forcing the VW to concede defeat. Ultimately, there is a valid reason why America firmly believes that nothing can replace engine displacement (except forced induction, nitrous oxide, and electricity).
According to the Source autoevolution.com