The Audi S3 competes in the entry-level sports sedan and hot hatchback segments against the likes of the BMW M135i, Volkswagen Golf R and the
new Acura Integra Type S
. However, armed with Audi’s famous Quattro AWD system and a dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission, its turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides much more speed than its specs sheet would lead you to believe.
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2022 Audi S3
Engine/Motor
2.0-Liter Turbo Four-Cylinder
Horsepower
306
Torque
295 LB-FT
Drivetrain
Front-Engine/AWD
Transmission
7-speed S-tronic Dual Clutch Automatic
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2024 Subaru WRX TR
Engine/Motor
2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER four-cylinder
Horsepower
271
Torque
258
Drivetrain
AWD
Transmission
6-speed manual
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2024 Acura Integra Type S
Engine/Motor
2.0-Liter Turbo Inline-4
Horsepower
320 HP
Torque
310 LB-FT
Drivetrain
FWD
Transmission
6-Speed Manual
But what happens when you pit the Audi S3 against two fierce rivals, the Integra Type S and Subaru WRX, in a straight-up 1/4 mile drag race? After all, the Integra has significantly more power and torque than the S3, and it’s also about 300 lbs lighter. However, it relies on a 6-speed manual transmission. Meanwhile, the WRX is much less powerful than either of those but offers AWD and a CVT transmission, so it’s useful as a benchmark for comparison.
On paper, the Integra Type S should be much faster than the S3. Well, that’s why drag races exist: to prove that specs don’t always reflect the truth. YouTube channel Sam CarLegion decided to find out, first putting the three cars through 32 mph and 43 mph roll races and then a 1/4-mile drag race to find if the more powerful Acura Integra Type S can beat the Audi.
Weight And Power Comparison
Model
Power
Weight
Audi S3
306 hp
3,573 lbs
Acura Integra Type S
320 hp
3,219 lbs
Subaru WRX
271 hp
3,552 lbs
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The S3 Destroys Its Competitors In A Race
Audi takes an easy win over both the Subaru and Acura in a 32 mph roll race. It makes sense given its DCT can row through gears much faster and keep the engine constantly in its power band. This offsets its heavier weight and 14 hp less compared to the Acura in a roll race.
At 43 mph (70 km/h), the Acura was able to accelerate within its power band, but as soon as it came time to shift, the DCT Audi started getting away.
Drag Races
Model
0-60 MPH
1/4 Mile
Audi S3
4.4 seconds
12.9 seconds
Acura Integra Type S
5.2 seconds
13.8 seconds
Subaru WRX
5.5 seconds
14.2 seconds
If you think things would be more in the Acura’s favor from a standing start, you’d be wrong. Audi’s AWD helps the car rocket off the line quicker than the FWD Acura, despite being heavier and less powerful.
The WRX also has standard AWD
, but it has nowhere near the power to keep up with the Audi either, at 271 hp. As a result, the S3 crosses the 1/4-mile finish line nearly a second sooner than the Type S and 1.3 seconds quicker than the WRX.
Proving it’s by far the quickest of the three, the Audi S3 also recorded an impressive 4.4-second 0-60 mph run. This is even quicker than the 4.6 seconds Audi officially claims for the model. The vast difference in performance may mean the S3 hides a bit more than 306 ponies under its hood, as is commonly the case with German cars, especially BMWs.
However, with the Integra Type S and Audi S3 both positioned at a similar $50,000 price point, the verdict is clear: if you want the faster (and perhaps fastest) new compact sedan for the money, buy an Audi S3.
