The automotive world is crazy about the BMW i8 and after testing the car, we can understand why. But while the digital era is still upon us, there's quite a lot that can be done with an analog hammer to the liver. To prove our point, we're going to show you the performance of the all-new Audi RS3, a car that seemingly has nothing to do with the Bavarian hybrid.
One has three cylinders and an electric motor; the other has five cylinders and nothing else. BMW's machine is lighter thanks to carbon fiber reinforced plastic, while Audi makes its car almost entirely from metal. But the performance of these two is very similar in a straight line.
This next video, shot by Motorsport Magazine, shows the 367 PS monster hot hatch blitzing its way from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. Using launch control, the car holds the brakes while building up the maximum turbo boost and then releases a torrent of power. It's not as easy as stepping on the gas, but the BMW i8 is also a complex iPhone on wheels that may take getting used to.
While the RS3 uses a 2.5-liter to produce its power, the BMW only has a 1.5-liter, but it's a power-dense unit that delivers 231 PS all on its own, while an electric motor placed over the front axle offers another 131 PS. The i8 is slightly slower than a hot hatch, reaching 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds.
You would think that a hybrid sportscar and a hyper hatch would have different weights, but they are almost the same – 1595 kg (3516 lbs) for the RS3 and 1560 kg (3439 lbs) for the BMW i8. We don't need to tell you which is more practical or spacious, do we?
The one area where BMW clears its name is fuel consumption. As the RS3's 2.5-liter is very thirsty and emits 189 g/km, more than three times as much as the i8. Price? Well, everybody knows that BMW's bespoke machine is expensive, but at €56,600, the RS3 is what you'd call cheap either.
To conclude, the Audi RS3 is a bit faster, cheaper, more practical and sounds better. But at the end of the day, the i8 probably gets you more girls and sets your blood on fire every time you see it.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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