What's Faster On Track: BMW M2, Honda Civic Type R, Audi RS3 Or Mercedes A45?

The guys from Cars.co.za threw together four of the most exciting performance cars right now for a track battle at Cape Town's Kilarney circuit. Which car is your money on?

Matt Robinson

Updated: 10 Oct 2024

Now you’ve cast your vote, see if you were right!

Head over here to check out our BMW M2 review, and here to see our latest Honda Civic Type R long-term report.

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

M2.

Civic Type R

I’m more interested in which one is the most fun to drive.

Agreed

still M2. RWD

Couldn’t agree more!

The miata

id take the audi over any of these

I thaught that too, but car reviewers say its not very rewarding to drive - compared to M2. But its great thats for sure.

Audi RS3 ‘cause 5 cylinder turboooooo

And enough understeer to saturate one week of troubles.

yes!

I hate odd numbers

Agreed m9

Either the civic or m2 but I’m leaning more towards the m2 because the civic will probably have under steer

Actually Civic has less understeer than the Audi.
I saw I think about 5 or 7 battles on internet between these cars and in the lead are the BMW (because rear wheel drive fun) and the AMG.

Honda Civic because VTEC

Type r doesn’t have V-TEC, they straddled turbos on instead. It would be something else with V-TEC
IMO.

No focus RS?

My guess was correct! :) By the way, Focus RS is missing for the ultimate test

But anyways, for me it is the RS3 or M2, depending on whether I need practicality or not…

Civic Type R feels like a tool which was designed for the sole purpose of being fast at the ‘ring and winning all the track battles, rather than a car to live with. Its just not for me.
A45 AMG is the oldest car here and I just don’t like the way it looks and sounds and so on. Also it seems to me like a show-off car more than a driver’s car.

M2 would probably sound even better with an aftermarket exhaust, but its definitely the most interesting car. RS3 is like mini-RS6: can keep up with sportscars with ease, yet is the most practical car there.