Group Test: Audi S4 3.0 vs Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 3.0 vs Mercedes-AMG C43 3.0

If you want the best “blue thunder” bang for your buck, get the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400. Priced at $244,800 (correct at press time), the 400bhp Q50 is a sweet deal, as it costs $54.8k and $76k less than the Audi S4 and Mercedes-AMG C43 respectively.

We also love how the Q50 is a sleeper high-performer, as the “3.0t” badges on its front fenders and “Q50S” badge on the boot lid are the only hints to its red-hot Red Sport performance.

The Q50’s only missteps are its tame exhaust note and comparatively slower performance. A more prominent soundtrack might have swayed us, as it would complement the car’s tail-happy disposition!

The Mercedes-AMG C43 might be the least tail-happy of this group, but that doesn’t douse its fiery character. With the drive mode set to Sport+, it has the most urgent performance and snappiest throttle response. But that also means having to switch to a more conservative drive mode (hated by petrolheads) when the roads became congested, so that the car would be easier to drive.

The Merc’s classy cockpit and roomy backseat are its other strong points. Its weak point is the $320k price tag, which makes it only accessible to drivers with even deeper pockets.

The most desirable “action thriller” in this shootout is the Audi S4. Even with its powertrain and suspension at their sportiest settings, the S4 impresses with its linear power delivery and composed ride quality. Having an almost erotic soundtrack makes the car downright irresistible, too.

What we don’t like are the S4’s compact backseat and toy-like paddle shifters, which don’t belong in an otherwise well-built cabin.

Look past those points and what you have is a sports saloon that not only raises pulse rates and neck hairs, it puts a big grin on the driver’s face, too.

Audi S4 3.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type V6, 24-valves, turbocharged
Capacity 2995cc
Bore x stroke 84.5mm x 89mm
Compression Ratio 11.2:1
Max power 354bhp at 5400-6400rpm
Max torque 500Nm at 1370-4500rpm
Power to weight 217.2bhp per tonne
Gearbox 8-speed automatic with manual select
Driven wheels All
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 4.7 seconds
Top speed 250km/h (governed)
Consumption 13km/L (combined)
CO2 emission 175g/km
SUSPENSION
Front Five-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Five-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front / Rear Ventilated discs
TYRES
Type Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 2
Size 245/35 R19
SAFETY
Airbags 6
Traction aids ABS, ESC
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4745mm
Width 1842mm
Height 1404mm
Wheelbase 2825mm
Kerb weight 1630kg
Turning circle 11.6m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $299,600 (no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
Warranty 5 years/100,000km
+ Sportiest cockpit, most linear power delivery, sexiest exhaust note
– Smallest backseat, potentially confusing high-tech cluster, fewest ponies
BEST IN OVERALL DYNAMICS

Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 3.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type V6, 24-valves, turbocharged
Capacity 2997cc
Bore x stroke 86mm x 86mm
Compression Ratio 10.3:1
Max power 400bhp at 5500rpm
Max torque 475Nm at 1750rpm
Power to weight 230bhp per tonne
Gearbox 7-speed automatic with manual select
Driven wheels Rear
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 5.4 seconds
Top speed 250km/h (governed)
Consumption 10.4km/L (combined)
CO2 emission 211g/km
SUSPENSION
Front Double wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front / Rear Ventilated discs
TYRES
Type Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050
Size 245/40 R19
SAFETY
Airbags 6
Traction aids ABS, VDC
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4800mm
Width 1820mm
Height 1445mm
Wheelbase 2850mm
Kerb weight 1740kg
Turning circle 11.2m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $244,800 (after $10k CEVS surcharge
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Most horses under the bonnet, most playful handling, stealthiest design
– Least punchy performance, least exciting soundtrack, least useful boot space
BEST IN HANDLING

Mercedes-AMG C43 3.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type V6, 24-valves, turbocharged
Capacity 2996cc
Bore x stroke 88mm x 82.1mm
Compression Ratio 10.7:1
Max power 367bhp at 5500-6000rpm
Max torque 520Nm at 2000-4200rpm
Power to weight 217.2bhp per tonne
Gearbox 9-speed automatic with manual select
Driven wheels All
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 4.7 seconds
Top speed 250km/h (governed)
Consumption 12.5km/L (combined)
CO2 emission 183g/km
SUSPENSION
Front Multi-link, coil springs
Rear Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / Rear Ventilated discs
TYRES
Type Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Size 225/45 R18 (front), 245/40 R18 (rear)
SAFETY
Airbags 6
Traction aids ABS, ESP
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4686mm
Width 1810mm
Height 1442mm
Wheelbase 2840mm
Kerb weight 1690kg
Turning circle 11.7m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $320,888 (no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Most luxurious cockpit, most spirited powertrain, roomiest backseat
– Least exciting handling, least user-friendly controls, highest price
BEST IN RESPONSIVENESS