Is the new Honda Civic Type R as fast as it looks? AutoExpress pits it against the BMW M3 and Audi RS3 in a FWD vs RWD vs AWD track battle.
After a yearlong tease that kicked off with a concept, Honda has finally rolled out the production version of its Civic Type R hatchback. The first-ever turbocharged Type R is powered by a 2.0-liter direct-injected turbo VTEC four-cylinder, which spins out 306 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 2500 rpm and hits redline at 7000 rpm. The engine is mated to a manual transmission.
Honda claims that the new Type R rockets from 0 to 62 mph in 5.7 seconds and that it can achieve a top speed of 168 mph.
The new 2015 Audi RS3 runs on a transversely mounted five-cylinder turbo engine. The 2.5 liter displacement engine makes 367 hp and 465 Nm of torque. According to the official stats, the RS3 accelerates in 4.3 seconds from 0 to 100 km /h – three tenths of a second faster than the Mercedes A45 AMG. Top speed is limited electronically to 280 km/h.
The compact sports car comes with a 7-speed DSG. This lavishly revised suspension system ensures a lowering by 25 mm compared to the Audi A3 Sportback and should also allow controlled drifts, according to Audi.
BMW M3 needs almost no introduction. The engine in the current F80/F82 M3/M4 is one of BMWs most currently criticized, as it’s the first turbocharged M3 engine in history. It also doesn’t make the wonderfully sonorous noise that embodied the previous M3’s. So it’s often maligned by die-hard enthusiasts. However, it’s incredible powerband, 425hp, 406 lb-ft of torque and lack of turbo lag makes it one of the best engines on the market today. It also runs from standstill to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds.
So all these three cars can’t be more different from another, but which one is more fun around the track?
