Audi S3, Honda Civic Type R, Mercedes-AMG A 35: test, athletes
4 weeks ago
2 7 minutes read
–
Can the Type R outperform its strong competitors S3 and A 35?
It’s all a question of type: Audi S3, Honda Civic Type R and Mercedes-AMG A 35 each get a good 300 hp from two-liter turbos. And yet they are fundamentally different. A comparison.
1st place with 285 out of 400 points: Audi S3 Sportback. Pretty classy and pretty fast too. Not a real racer, but damn versatile. Price from 46,303 euros (savings at carwow.de up to 5723 euros).
2nd place with 283 out of 400 points: Honda Civic Type R. Nobody is in the mood anymore on the track. Comfort suffers as a result. Price very fair. Price from 37,579 euros (savings at carwow.de up to 3,145 euros).
3rd place with 280 out of 400 points: Mercedes-AMG A 35. In principle, quite similar to the S3, but without a particular kick. And more expensive again. Price from 47,432 euros.
Red Bull gives wings? May be. But the Austrian energy drink works in comparison to Honda Civic Type R at best as invigorating as still water. The compact Japanese slumber underneath huge rear wing namely 320 strong PS. In addition, the driving dynamics have been refined with the current facelift. Is that enough to Mercedes-AMG A 35 and the brand new ones Audi S3 Sportback to outstrip.
The focus of the facelifted Type R is on sport
Racetrack rocket: The Type R is a real track tool, driving comfort is not so important.
Nothing like in that Japanese jester. And let the wings hang a little. Despite the facelift, the interior does not look as modern as that of the German colleagues. Anyway, we want to go. Where S3 and A 35 basically only with Seven-speed double coupler are available, Honda always offers a first-class six-speed manual transmission. The Gear lever made of cool aluminum slides through the alleys so precisely and in minimalist ways that the corridors almost lock telepathically. And then there’s this ingenious thing called Rev Match. When downshifting gives Type R like the professional racers in the past Double-declutching. Sounds cool, it’s fun – and can of course also be switched off. With a roar it goes out onto the track. He wants to be a bit thin below and clearly slower than his all-wheel drive colleagues from a standing start Two liters always kept in a good mood, i.e. at speed.
€ 7,790
Honda Civic 1.4 i Sport, petrol
88,770 km
73 kW (99 PS)
03/2013
Petrol, CO2 0 g / km *
€ 8,250
Honda Civic 1.4 i-VTEC COMFORT MOBILES, petrol
47,900 km
73 kW (99 PS)
09/2013
Petrol, 5.4 l / 100km (combined) CO2 129 g / km *
€ 8,444
Honda Civic 1.4 i-VTEC Sport, petrol
83,553 km
73 kW (99 PS)
09/2013
Petrol, 5.5 l / 100km (combined) CO2 131 g / km *
€ 8,550
Honda Civic 1.8 VTEC SPORT 17 INCH AIR CONDITIONER, petrol
95,130 km
104 kW (141 hp)
07/2013
Petrol, 6.1 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 145 g / km *
€ 8,580
Honda Civic 1.4 i Comfort, petrol
106,619 km
73 kW (99 PS)
12/2014
Petrol, 5.4 l / 100km (combined) CO2 129 g / km *
€ 9,650
Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC Lim 5 Comfort, diesel
130,000 km
88 kW (120 PS)
11/2016
Diesel, 3.6 l / 100km (combined) CO2 95 g / km *
€ 9,980
Honda Civic 1.4 Comfort, petrol
77,162 km
73 kW (99 PS)
05/2014
Petrol, 5.4 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 128 g / km *
06618 Naumburg, Auto- und Motorradhaus Eichhorn GmbH
42697 Solingen, Solingen-Ohligs
58135 Hagen, BOB Automobile Nord GmbH
46395 Bocholt, Autohaus Evers GmbH & Co. KG in Bocholt
30880 Laatzen, Autohaus Moritz GmbH
09619 Sayda, Autohaus Sayda GmbH
30880 Laatzen, Autohaus Moritz GmbH
No problem that thing turns like crazy, lets hear a hissing suction sip from 4000 tours and storms off towards the horizon. When only front-wheel drive here he hardly shows any nakedness, even manages at top speed 270 km / hwhere Audi and Mercedes are content with a speed of 250. He likes curves Type R also very special. The thick Alcantara steering wheel feels tight, requires a little more strength than the competitors, but always draws a clean ideal line on the course. The very stiff chassis and the flat 20-inch device brace themselves with all their might against an understeer, the hot Civic rödelt almost like a racing car biting through tight bends and can hardly be carried outside. With 1425 kilograms he weighs almost 200 kilos less than the German all-wheel-drive athletes. Reward: pole position with 1: 36.10 minutes.
Remarkably good Driving comfort in the Audi S3
All-rounder: Audi equips the S3 with all kinds of luxury, but also installs a powerful two-liter.
Nearly a whole second behind comes the new one Audi S3 to the finish line, the Ingolstadt people are not as important as luxury. And indeed there are plenty of them. There is hardly a comfort treat that the fast S3 lacks, hardly any Assistance system, which he does not offer at least for an extra charge. The one that is particularly impressive on the slopes two liters as strong as a bear. The thing delivers a lot of pressure always and everywhere, pulls the fine S3 in 18.1 seconds to 200 km / h and finds it wide awake dual clutch transmission an almost perfect teammate. This is joined by a remarkably good one Driving comfort. You don’t want to move any of our three hot hatches on bumpy country roads and as an everyday driver. Yes, on the racetrack.
€ 21,390
Audi S3 2.0 TFSI quattro EPH 2 hand, petrol
75,900 km
221 kW (300 hp)
11/2013
Petrol, 7 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 166 g / km *
€ 23,984
Audi S3 2.0 TFSI quattro Sportback, petrol
81,339 km
221 kW (300 hp)
06/2014
Petrol, 7 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 166 g / km *
€ 24,790
Audi S3 2.0 TFSI Limo quattro One, petrol
65,000 km
221 kW (300 hp)
04/2014
Petrol, 7 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 166 g / km *
€ 25,780
Audi S3 2.0 TFSI Cabriolet, petrol
69,228 km
221 kW (300 hp)
06/2015
Petrol, 7.1 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 164 g / km *
€ 25,990
Audi S3 2.0 TFSI qu Magnetic, petrol
126,600 km
221 kW (300 hp)
05/2014
Petrol, 6.9 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 159 g / km *
€ 26,210
Audi S3 2.0 TFSI Sportback Q B O Pa, petrol
77,650 km
221 kW (300 hp)
04/2015
Petrol, 7 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 166 g / km *
€ 26,410
Audi S3 2.0 TFSI quattro Cabriolet S Magnetic-Ride, petrol
89,200 km
221 kW (300 hp)
05/2016
Petrol, 7.1 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 168 g / km *
97440 Werneck, Schuler + Eisner GmbH & Co. KG Werneck
34454 Bad Arolsen, Autohaus Ostmann Bad Arolsen GmbH
58706 Menden, AVG ROSIER GmbH
49809 Lingen, Ulrich Senger GmbH | Lingen
65719 Hofheim am Taunus, Göthling & Kaufmann Automobile GmbH
38518 Gifhorn, Autohaus Kühl GmbH & Co KG – Gifhorn branch
57074 Siegen, Audi Center Siegen Walter Schneider GmbH & Co. KG
Because despite the countless adjustment options the Audi does not find a set-up that is as radically sporty as the Civic in R mode. With 206 km / h the S3 manages the top speed on the Contidrom, thanks All-wheel drive with intelligent load distribution jagged even from tight corners, but the clock only stops at 1: 37.07 minutes.
In the hunt for times, the Mercedes lacks the last bite
It is very similar Mercedes-AMG. Here too great luxury and useful comfort, but the last bite is missing on the hunt for the lap time. The full electronic boom also helps Track pace and drag race function not, you can flip around so much between smoothness, individuality, comfort, sport and sport + using the rotary knob on the right of the steering wheel – the Baby AMG the black and white checkered flag looks first 1: 37.92 minutes. Expression of the fact that the Benz im medium speed range a bit of punch is missing, the dual clutch transmission does not always and immediately hit the right gear and 1620 kilos want to be balanced around the corner first. The question remains about the money.
€ 38,746
Mercedes-Benz AMG A 35 Premium, petrol
10,009 km
225 kW (306 hp)
09/2019
Petrol, 7.3 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 167 g / km *
€ 38,900
Mercedes-Benz AMG A 35 Augm Reality, petrol
18,150 km
225 kW (306 hp)
08/2019
Petrol, 7.3 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 167 g / km *
€ 38,900
Mercedes-Benz AMG A 35 augm Reality, petrol
23,360 km
225 kW (306 hp)
10/2019
Petrol, 7.3 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 167 g / km *
€ 39,790
Mercedes-Benz AMG A 35 NIGHT, petrol
21,350 km
225 kW (306 hp)
08/2019
Petrol, 7.3 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 167 g / km *
€ 39,793
Mercedes-Benz AMG A 35, petrol
34,188 km
225 kW (306 hp)
10/2019
Petrol, 7.3 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 167 g / km *
€ 39,885
Mercedes-Benz AMG A 35 MBUX NavPrem NightP, petrol
19,538 km
225 kW (306 hp)
07/2019
Petrol, 7.3 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 167 g / km *
€ 39,887
Mercedes-Benz AMG A 35 Burmesta Spurassis, petrol
14,690 km
225 kW (306 hp)
10/2019
Petrol, 7.3 l / 100km (comb.) CO2 167 g / km *
47906 Kempen, Gossens Kempen car dealership
73312 Geislingen a.d. Rise, Geislingen
61462 Königstein, Senger GmbH & Co. KG | Koenigstein
58706 Menden, Autohaus Heinrich ROSIER GmbH
42553 Velbert-Tönisheide, Fahrzeug-Werke LUEG AG – Center Velbert
46535 Dinslaken, Becker & Stopka GmbH & Co. KG
The well-endowed Germans move around in the test trim 50,000 euros. The 320-horsepower Civic actually already exist from 37,579 euros, the GT driven here comes to a fair 41,575 euros. Very inspiring. (Calculate maintenance costs? To comparison of car insurance)
The bottom line: A lot can be accommodated in such a compact unit. Luxury and performance like in the S3, race and racing feeling like in the Type R or power and prestige like in the A 35. The narrow point differences show that in this three-way battle, taste is ultimately decisive.
* Further information on the official fuel consumption and the official specific CO2 emissions and, if applicable, the power consumption of new cars can be found in the “Guide to Official Fuel Consumption”, which is available free of charge at all sales outlets and from “Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH” (www .dat.de).
88,770 km
73 kW (99 PS)
03/2013
