So I was having a bit of drag with my friends VW Bora GLI, of course no concerns for me as I have 0.2 ltr and a few more horses under the bonnet than he did. But in discussion afterwards we were wondering if the VW Golf GTi was as fast or faster than the A3 (we're talking stock, off the factory floor, no mods). I mean on paper they both have the same 2.0ltr 200hp turbo-charged engine. The A3 in fact weighs in 200lbs heavier but according the stock specs can do 0-60mph in 6.7s compared to 7.0s for the GTi. So why is this, same engine yet weighing more the A3 is more powerful. Is it because the turbo is tuned for more compression? A more aggressive factory ECU tuning? Just a topic of discussion I thought would be worth bringing to the table for us Audi lovers

[EDIT]; My friends car is a Bora GLI not GTi my mistake

 

They are both rated at the same spec of 6.7 seconds, which documentation are you referring to? Usually automotive manufacturers are slightly conservative.

 

GTi: http://www.vw.com/vwcom/content/obje..._gti_specs.pdf
A3: http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/n....8pa52c_2.html

 

I'm not sure how accurate versus conservative VW technical specifications are you referenced. I received all same dealer spec's last may for 2007 models. I think you find the following information helpful, especially concerning vehicle weight.

VW
2007 Jetta Sedan 2.0T manual weighing 3,259 lbs = 7.1 seconds (0-60)
2007 Jetta Sedan 2.0T DSG weighing 3,303 lbs = 7.0 seconds (0-60)
2007 Jetta GLI Sedan manual weighing 3,290 lbs = 7.1 seconds (0-60)
2007 Jetta GLI Sedan 2.0T DSG weighing 3,334 lbs = 7.0 seconds (0-60)
2007 GTI -2dr 2.0T manual weighing 3,100 lbs = 7.0 seconds (0-60)
2007 GTI -2dr 2.0T DSG weighing 3,150 lbs = 6.9 seconds (0-60)
2007 GTI -4dr 2.0T manual weighing 3,161 lbs = 7.0 seconds (0-60)
2007 GTI -4dr 2.0T DSG weighing 3,212 lbs = 6.9 seconds (0-60)

Audi
2007 A3 2.0T Manual weighing 3329 lbs =6.7 seconds (0-100 km/h)
2007 A3 2.0T DSG weighing 3329 lbs = 6.7 seconds (0-100 km/h)


2008 TT 2.0T DSG Coupe weighing 2,965 lbs = 6.1 seconds (0-100 km/h)
2007 A3 3.2 V6 Quattro DSG weighing 3660 lbs = 5.9 seconds (0-100 km/h)
2008 TT 3.2 V6 Quattro 6 speed coupe weighing 3,218 lbs = 5.5 seconds (0-100 km/h)

It would appear that Audi is not as conservative as VW in acceleration specs is my opinion. What I find amazing is how fast the 2008 TT is versus the A3 for given engine. The TT is 364 less pounds.

 

same trannyratios and final drive? I've never compared the two, so I don't know.

 

Indivudual variation in vehicle and driving style. In an autocross each 12" away from the cone costs ~.1 seconds, so that's not much to worry about.

 

0.3 seconds is attributable to just driver error. Also, the A3 manual isn't supposed to be equal to the DSG, cause in a straigt line, it isn't. The DSG shifts faster then any human ever could have a prayer of doing, of course the manual usually has the launch advantage. The DSG i test drove lagged off the line until the clutch fully engaged, manual you can keep the engine in the torque band to launch, so its a tough call. Skill vs brainless driving(no offense DSG owners!)

Chip the car and who cares? You'll blow away an A3 3.2.

 

Yeah saw the same spec (manual vs. DSG) posted in posted in printed specification handouts for A3 and what’s posted on their website. Perhaps .1 sec's difference like VW did wasn't worth posting. They probably just went with an average time. For example I remember that the A3 was tested by one auto organization and multiple speed trials yielded results from 6.45 to 6.85 seconds depending on driver.

 

what is the performance of an A3 2 .0T DSG after its beenchipped? Any one know? And doesit damage the engine life if you only use the increased acceleration on an infrequent basis.

 

you could use it on a regular basis without problems. Best i can say is that it is faster then an A3 3.2, faster then an RX8, S2000, and many other cars in the same HP range. Your trump car will be gobs and gobs of low end torque. Chipping alone should jump you up to about 240hp and 260ft-lbs. Throw on a turbo back exhaust for another good 20hp or so...at the expense of passing smog. Chipping alone if you get the stock program you'll pass no problem, even on the performance settings you might pass, you never know.