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New BMW M3 v AMG 45 S v Civic Type R v Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio | evo TRACK BATTLES
May 7, 2025
The all-new G80 BMW M3 boasts substantial improvements over its F80 predecessor, but how does it stack up against a trio of performance car heroes? Steve Sutcliffe puts it up against the mighty Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, Honda's Civic Type R and the Mercedes-AMG A45 S to find out.
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0:00
So the G80 BMW M3 competition is finally upon us, with a brave and some might say rather
0:17
too bold new look with which to demand our attention. It costs £75,000 before options, boasts 503 bhp and has as much torque as a McLaren F1 did back in the day
0:31
But it also weighs 1,805 kilograms and is positively festooned with safety systems
0:38
Hence, its increased weight. Now, we know these systems make it a better all-round car for the road
0:43
having spent some time with and been thoroughly impressed by its mechanically identical brother, the new G82 M4
0:53
But on a track, how quick is the latest M3? And how good is it to drive when you're really going for it
1:01
To find out, we took it to Landau Circuit in Wales and compared it first with the brilliant and recently revised
1:08
Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio and then with the world's two fastest hot hatchbacks
1:15
the Honda Civic Type R and the exceedingly well-endowed Mercedes A45S AMG
1:22
Alpha first. This is what happened next. So they've done a fair bit to the Alpha for the 21 model year
1:31
but most of that involves onboard refinements. The oily bits, they haven't changed, really
1:37
you still have 503 horsepower, a twin-turbo V6. It's got 601 newton-metres of torque
1:47
which, as we'll find out, is a bit less than the BMW. Proper diff
1:54
Very trick tyres on this one. P0 courses. So it's got loads of grip
2:00
Lovely steering on these Alphas, particularly this one, the QB, because it's just sharp and fast and immediate
2:08
and you get a bit of help from the back end as well
2:11
when on turning. You know, it should actually go quicker than the M3, I think
2:17
because it weighs 185 kilograms less than the M3. Anyway, we start the lap now
2:28
It's properly, properly fast, is the Alfa, in a straight line. Smooth as well, lovely turning
2:36
You can feel the absence of weight through these little nudgey bits
2:42
It's good through there. Short shift out onto the back straight. I kept my toe in there just about
2:55
It's quick in the Alfa. It just feels agile, sharp. Lovely front end Really nice rear end as well Here we come up to the line now That is a decent lap time That is a seriously decent lap time
3:16
Goodness me. That has just done a 44.4. So with a time of 44.4 seconds, the Alfa set a new lap record for a road legal saloon around Landao
3:32
And a whole heap of excellent it was in the process. Next up to set a time for the M3 to try and beat was the Civic Type R
3:42
which already holds the front-wheel drive lap record at this track. Here we go again, Civic Type R at Landau
3:55
I love this car on this track. I love this car anywhere. It's just such a good hot hatch, the Civic Type R. Not because it absolutely tears the
4:09
headlines to pieces like the Mercedes. Okay, come on, let's try the lap time now. Bone
4:15
dry condition starting now. As late as I can on the brakes
4:22
It flips the downshift for you. Lovely turning. Really good under brakes
4:29
And then just commit on the throttle. With just a touch of understeer, but not too much
4:38
Top gearbox as well. it's just so good on those direction changes a little bit of power understeer there
4:56
but it hangs on so well through this last corner and the lap time stops there
5:03
Blimey, that's fast for a hot hatchback. 45.6. That's a very quick time from the Civic
5:16
but still nowhere near as fast as the Alfa. This was due mostly to the Quadrifoglio's
5:22
massively bigger arsenal down the straights, but also because of its traction, which is incredible
5:29
So that just left the AMG to step up and set a time for the M3 to own that
5:39
£56,000 for a hatchback. It's getting a bit potty, that, but... It's a serious piece of equipment, is the A45 AMG S
5:54
414 BHP. It's obviously four-wheel drive. I'm not sure even AMG could successfully put that lot
6:02
And 500 Newton metres through the front wheels. So yeah, it's four wheel drive
6:08
Eight speed dual clutch gearbox which does work pretty well Not amazingly It not an awesome dual clutch It good It efficient but it a little bit of lethargy in it It 200 I think 210 215 kilograms more than the Civic
6:27
But on the other hand, it's nearly 200 kilograms lighter than the M3
6:31
It's 170 kilograms lighter than the M3. So it kind of sits in between. Either way, and no matter what, it is very, very quick in a straight line
6:46
Starting now. Yeah, it does go through there well. Bounces a wheel. Wants to become rear-wheel drive all of a sudden
6:58
That's nice, that's really nice through there. It kind of squats and then really goes, almost
7:07
feels rear wheel drive through there. Keep it nice and neat. Yeah, you can feel the weight
7:17
and you have to manage it. You've just got to... Oh, it's pretty good, you know
7:27
It's pretty flipping good. The lap time is there. Wow
7:38
44.9 seconds. The AMG was clean and quick around the lap and it had a ton of traction
7:46
to go with its monstrous grip and acceleration. But still, it couldn't quite match the alpha
7:53
to become the car for the M3 to beat, even though it did just about dip below 45 seconds
8:01
Finally, then, it was time for the M3 to stand up and be counted
8:06
How quick could it go? It does feel immediately like a pretty serious automobile, the new M3
8:27
It feels firmer and more... ..more track-orientated. Straight away, the ride... I mean, obviously, I've got everything dialed right up to 11
8:38
and all the driver aid systems switched off. So I'm on my own
8:44
It is definitely quicker if you switch everything off, assuming you kind of know what you're doing
8:48
which I hope I do. This weight advantage that the Alfa has on paper
8:55
and it is massive, 185 kilograms, that's ridiculous, that's only half a Caterham
9:01
It doesn't really manifest itself on the track if that blindfolded, I think you'd think that the M3 is the lighter of the two
9:10
It's bizarre. It masks its weight really well. This motor is also a bright weapon
9:17
Brilliant throttle response when you put it in the right setting And you kind of once you rolling you can really tell it turbocharged at all Very very
9:37
trick diffs, trick settings within those diffs, even when you switch stuff off. It's still
9:44
got a proper slippy diff at the back, giving you loads of traction. Right, there is plenty
9:48
heat in the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. All right, our lap starts here. Wow. God
10:01
he's rabid in a straight line. Massive traction. It does go a bit sideways when you switch everything off. At the same time, you go forwards
10:15
so even though you're doing a little bit of a slide it doesn't feel like you're losing any time
10:20
brilliant brakes into the air good front end I'm not sure the front end is just as good as the Alfa
10:27
but this engine this engine is just a beast wow this thing is quick oh my word this thing is quick
10:45
so in the end despite its 1800 kilogram curb weight and its numerous safety systems
10:55
all of which were switched off for the timed lap by the way the m3 funded its way around the lap
11:03
to a frankly astonishing time of 43.9 seconds that makes it the fastest four-door production
11:11
road car money can buy in our experience. The fact that it beats the identically powered
11:26
but 180kg lighter Alpha by half a second and completely demolished the hot hatchbacks
11:34
in the process, proves just how capable this new M3 really is. Because if anything, it's
11:43
even better to drive on the road than it is on the track. Hmm. The next C63 AMG will
11:52
need to be something very special indeed if it is going to get anywhere near this car
11:58
But until then, the new M3 and its coupe brother, the M4
12:03
are very much king of the hill
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