German Car Zone

The RS4 will use the RS4 engine if Audi wants to shorten the R&D time, and get it out on the market as fast as possible in order to compete with the C63 and M3. The other option is to launch a completely new engine which we will also see in the future RS4.

As for the M3 CSL and CLK BS they are unique limited edition cars which don't even compete with one another, and I doubt that Audi will start engaging in specialty models the coming few years.

So finally they meet. And EVO is always a great pleasure to read. I'm very happy with the result, cause it just shows yet again how good the RS4 is. And I also feel that I understand why the RS4 gets more attention. It's just so much more agressive. They "power" the E46 M3 had, even by looking at it, is really gone with the E92 M3.

Great comparison there anyway.

Most sources have stated between 450-470hp. I've heard 450hp on at least 10 different occasions! I believe 420hp in the M3 might just do the trick, Mercedes usually has some extra weight to throw around!

Interesting posts guys.. keep em coming!

I never doubted the performance of the new M3. I knew it was more "grown up" than the previous model but that doesn`t take away the magic of it`s Driver-Connection abilities. Bring on the M3 sedan.. I want to see sedan compared to sedan in this field.

450 hp sounds great for the new RS5!

We do not know if the new CSL will be limited or not. Last time around they made 1,400 of them (about 1,5% of the total M3 E46 production).

As for all these discussions on what should be compared against what...for me it all comes down to price. If you are in th market to buy a car, that is what you go by, not HP or weight.

That is a good point! But when comparing who makes the most able car in a given test price should not be the deciding point. Of cource it should not be disregarded but maybe only be taken in third hand consideration - excluding the extreme. I think a price difference of 20-30% is fair.

I highly doubt that if we are talking about track performance, given that even mid engined R8 doesn't come close to the previous CSL.

In these price category price is relevant but not decisive. With sports cars you almost never choose a car by what's on the spec sheet. The car which captures you're heart is the one which gets the privilege of following you home.