Mat Watson of Carwow decided to compare four comparable stock cars… no, not in an acceleration race this time around – the quartet hit the dynamometer to see how close they could come to the OEM-rated power output.
The first test was performed on a Volkswagen Golf R equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine allegedly pumping out 320 PS (316 hp / 235 kW) to all four wheels via a 7-speed A/T. At the dyno test, the hot hatch exceeded expectations by outputting 325 PS (321 hp / 239 kW).
Next up in line is a BMW M240i packing a 3.0-liter turbo rated at 374 PS (369 hp / 275 kW). The owner insisted that the actual power was noticeably higher – around 400 PS (394 hp / 294 kW) – but the reality proved different. The Bavarian coupe only exceeded its rated output by a single horsepower, unless it was a measuring error.
Next up is an Audi RS 3 packing a 2.5-liter turbo five-pot capable of 400 PS (394 hp / 294 kW). The owner reckoned that his ride was within the range of 410–415 PS, though. He proved correct: the dyno showed 413 PS (407 hp / 304 kW).
Finally, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 featuring the world’s most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine fell rather short of its OEM-rated 421 PS (415 hp / 310 kW). The actual thrust at the wheels never exceeded 386 PS (381 hp / 284 kW).
