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Power & torqueFuel consumptionWarran ty, servicingPerformance dataBrakes & wheelsAudi RS3 SportbackPrice (as tested)|R7 10000 (R 82376 9)``````He``````ight``````1 411``````SuspensionMacPhersonstrut front, Multi-link rear, adaptivedampers``````Engine2 480cc 20v 5-cylinderturbo``````Width 1 800 Length4 343``````Transmission7-speed Stronic,all-wheeldrive``````Power 270kW@ 5550-6 800rpmTorque 46 5Nm@ 1 62 5-5 550rpmPower toweight178kWpertonne``````ClaimedUrbancycle 11 .4ℓ/100kmExtra-urbancycle 8.5ℓ/100kmCombined cycle 6.3ℓ/100kmCO2 emissions 194 g/kmActualTest route 80 kmConsumption 9.8ℓ/100kmCruisingrange 56 1km``````Warranty 1-year unlimitedkmMaintenance plan 5-year/100 000kmMotorplanService intervals Determined byOBC``````Bootcapacity 280 ℓUtilityspace 11 20ℓKerbweight 1 520kg``````Fuel supply Direct injection``````Acceleration0-60kph 2.29sec0-80kph 3.25sec0-100kph 4.41secOvertaking60 -100kph 2.45sec80 -120kph 2.86 secBraking100-0kph 2.69sec/42mTop speed 250kph(ltd)``````BrakesfrontBrakes rearWheelsTyres``````Ventilated discsVentilated discs19-inch alloysPirelli23 5/35R19kg55litr es``````TANK``````OUR CHOICE:This is oneof thetoughest calls tomakeright now.Whilethe FordFocus RSis yet tobelaunched thechoice restssquarelybetween the RS3andA45. Both areexcellent, but despite itssticker pricetheRS3is far morepolished than theA45 and delivers the betterall-roundexperience.MEET THE RIVALSMercedes-AMG A45>PriceR688 217>Engine2.0-litre turbo, 280kW@6 000rpm, 475Nm @ 2250-5 000rpm>Transmission7-speed dual-clutch, AWD>Stats4.2sec0-100kph,250kph, 7.3ℓ/100km, 171g/km``````Ford Focus RS>PriceNot yet>Engine2.3-litreturbo, 257kW@6 000rpm, 440Nm @ 2000-4 500rpm>Transmission6-speed manual, AWD>Stats4.7sec0-100kph,265 kph, 7.7ℓ/100km, 175g/kmtorque to each end when deemednecessa ry – thus improving the vehicle’ sagility and ab ility to stay neutral in thebends. It’s just a matter of pointin g it atan apex and mashing the throttle pedal,the massive reserves of all-wheel-drivegrip feeding your confidenc e withevery sweeping bend. The ride qualityon the optional magnetic dampers isfantastic too.VerdictIn a highly competitive segment the AudiRS3 Sportback is a ge nuine contender for thesuperhatch throne. It’s a more refinedmachine this time around offering a goodbalance between performance, handling andcomfort. Let’s not forget the superbpracticality it also offers buyers – an everydaysuperhatch if ever there was. Despite itnarrowly losing out to the reworkedMercedes-AMG A45’s280kW and 475Nm of thrust,it still manages to deliver theeye-popping performanceexpected of such a halo car,not to mention an exquisitelyarranged soundtrack filledwith malice and intent. Sowhat’s the catch? Well, there’sthat R710 000 sticker price,R823769 if specced like ourtest car with its magnetic ride(R13640), a sports exhaustsystem (R11840), S sportsseat s (R10360), LEDheadlamps (R13060),aluminiumstyling package(R9040) and more. This putsit in the same bracket as thePorsch e Boxster and Cayman- go figure... While the AudiRS3 Sportback is a trulyvisceral and polishedmachine I’ll reserve finaljudgment once I’ve driven theMerc-AMG A45 and FordFocus RS back to back in thesame environment. Thebattle lines are drawn.tc@AaronBorrillHands downthe best-lookingRS 3Sportback yet. 19 -inchalloys, redcalipers andcanon-like exhaust pipesreference its darkerside