6 hours ago, vrskeith said:

https://www.evo.co.uk/mercedes/a45-amg/19790/mercedes-amg-a45-s-revealed-at-goodwood-usurps-the-audi-rs3-with-415bhp

 

 

The styling doesn’t really say Mercedes, it’s a bit too loud. I think a performance Mercedes should be restrained in styling but I’m guessing this is what their hot-hatch customer’s want with attracting younger buyers that are able to get into finance agreements.

 

I think the A45s would work better as a new version of Nissan Pulsar GTi-R instead of using the GLA as an INFINITI Q30.

 

Looking back at was available with this performance only few years ago and the Evo X FQ-440 MR (basically a tuned car with a limited manufacturer’s warranty) that would require a 1,000 miles oil change and then a service every 4,500miles. Now the same performance is available from the showroom with standard warranty and yearly service.

 

This looks like the golden age of the performance hot-hatch when it comes to power and reliability so the next generation might be very different. So, this could be last hurrah for the petrol only hot-hatch with legislation and customer demand changing what is feasible to sell in the next 10 years.

Interesting updates to model changes & details. 

 

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-2020-audi-a3-spawn-seven-strong-model-lineup

 

https://www.evo.co.uk/news/22902/audi-rs3-turned-up-to-463bhp-by-abt-sportline

 

23 minutes ago, vrskeith said:

https://www.evo.co.uk/news/22902/audi-rs3-turned-up-to-463bhp-by-abt-sportline

 

Finally an RS3 with more torque than my Octavia's 380lb/ft.

Is?

22 minutes ago, vrskeith said:

Is?

Chassis sounds better than the RS3 plenty of power but it won't sound as good as the Audi. Comparing it to a Lancer Evo is a good thing but hopefully it will travel more than 4,500 miles between services.

https://www.evo.co.uk/mercedes/a45-amg/22951/2019-mercedes-amg-a45-s-review-a-new-high-water-mark possibly £15k more than a A35 AMG is it justified as a daily?

 

14 minutes ago, vrskeith said:

https://www.evo.co.uk/mercedes/a45-amg/22951/2019-mercedes-amg-a45-s-review-a-new-high-water-mark possibly £15k more than a A35 AMG is it justified as a daily?

 

Personally I would buy the A35 AMG and get it remapped because it has 4WD anyway and save the £15,000 for fuel.

Just now, shyVRS245 said:

Personally I would buy the A35 AMG and get it remapped because it has 4WD anyway and save the £15,000 for fuel.

Still waiting for the Golf R 400 mk8  to appeal and surpass them all and for less money. Not sure if a new S3 is arriving.

5 minutes ago, vrskeith said:

Still waiting for the Golf R 400 mk8  to appeal and surpass them all and for less money. Not sure if a new S3 is arriving.

Read somewhere that because the A3 had been delayed by 12 months then the S3 wouldn't appear until late 2020 or early 2021 and the RS3 wouldn't appear until at least 2021. Indeed a Golf R with 400PS would be good value if it came in under £40,000.

 

But how well does it handle on the twisty stuff.

 

 

Edited 31 July, 20196 yr by vrskeith

Carwow timed the new A45s 0-60 at 3.9 sec.

Compared with their times of for the FL previous A45 at 4.8 sec and FL RS3 at 4.2sec. Both of these times seem slower than what it should be.

 

 

It looks like WLTP  changes to the 2.5 engine has muted its performance.

 

Edited 17 August, 20196 yr by AJR77

A comparison of an ABT tuned Seat Leon 2.0 TFSI against and a RS3.

 

 

Again there is a difference in the WLTP RS3 having slower 0-60 numbers (4.2) and the what the 0-60 Pre-Face-Lift 362hp version (sub 4)  quoted by EVO.

 

 

A pre-face-lift RS3 in a hot-hatch drag race with some surprise results.

 

 

I was always surprised how quick my M135 was. Massively underrated car m135/140. Shame it's no more  😞 I don't know if I could get as excited about the new FWD version, even if it turns out to be quicker. 

7 minutes ago, Lady Elanore said:

I was always surprised how quick my M135 was. Massively underrated car m135/140. Shame it's no more  😞 I don't know if I could get as excited about the new FWD version, even if it turns out to be quicker. 

Two M4 owners now within 400 metres of my home. Does this mean they are becoming too common? One in Grey the other Dark Blue.

Yes, only the white ones are rare and fabulous

I suppose they've been around for quite a few years now, so there are lots of cheaper older models and BMW are now preparing the new M3 and later M4, to come out next year. So development has pretty much stopped and discounts are strong on new models (M4 only as M3 discontinued)   

2 hours ago, Lady Elanore said:

I was always surprised how quick my M135 was. Massively underrated car m135/140. Shame it's no more  😞 I don't know if I could get as excited about the new FWD version, even if it turns out to be quicker. 

 

Carwow did a caparison of the New 135i and 140i on the FWD 1 series launch. The 140i seemed to be the better performance option.

 

 

I'd still take the old school M135 over the new one, I'd also take the (proper) M135 over the M140 as the engine sound better and you can get the full fat MPE for it, unlike the M140 which has the modern neighbour friendly exhaust settings 😞

31 minutes ago, Lady Elanore said:

I'd still take the old school M135 over the new one, I'd also take the (proper) M135 over the M140 as the engine sound better and you can get the full fat MPE for it, unlike the M140 which has the modern neighbour friendly exhaust settings 😞

 

In the last few years legislation has blunted performance and the noise of performance cars especially face-lifted ones that haven't been engineered from the start to meet the regulations so have to be retrofitted to meet them.

The current RS3 with particulate filters fitted doesn't perform or sound as potent.