Toyota Corolla GR 3-cylinders VS Audi RS3 5-cylinders (the odd number cylinders)

 

The Toyota G16E-GTS (GR Yaris/GR Corolla) 3-cylinder and Audi RS3’s 2.5 TFSI 5-cylinder are examples of odd-cylinder engines, which are uncommon compared to 4-, 6-, and 8-cylinder designs.

Why use odd numbers of cylinders?

Engineers choose odd-cylinder layouts when they want a balance between:

• Compact size
• Lower weight
• Unique power delivery
• Distinctive sound
• Packaging advantages

Toyota G16E-GTS 3-Cylinder

Why Toyota chose 3 cylinders

The GR Yaris was designed for rally homologation.

Advantages:

• Extremely compact
• About 10-15 kg lighter than a comparable 4-cylinder
• Shorter crankshaft reduces rotational losses
• More room for AWD drivetrain and cooling
• Faster engine response

Disadvantages

• More vibration than an inline-4
• Requires balance shaft engineering
• Rougher idle characteristics

Power density

The 1.6L G16E produces:

• Up to 304 hp (GR Corolla)
• Around 190 hp per liter

One of the highest-output production 3-cylinder engines ever built.

Audi RS3 2.5 TFSI 5-Cylinder

Why Audi keeps the 5-cylinder

The RS3’s engine traces its heritage to the legendary Audi Quattro rally cars of the 1980s.

Advantages:

• Smoother than a 4-cylinder
• More compact than an inline-6
• Strong low-end torque
• Unique firing order creates the famous Audi warble

Disadvantages

• Longer and heavier than a 4-cylinder
• More expensive to manufacture
• Packaging is tighter in transverse applications

Sound Character

The 1-2-4-5-3 firing sequence creates the iconic uneven exhaust note:

Growl + warble + turbo whistle

Many enthusiasts consider it one of the best-sounding modern turbo engines.

Comparison to the classic B18C, 2JZ, VR38DETT as per table 

Engine	Character
Toyota G16E 3-cylinder	Lightest, most aggressive, rally-focused
Honda B18C 4-cylinder	Best balance of smoothness, revs, simplicity
Audi 2.5 TFSI 5-cylinder	Most charismatic sound and torque
Inline-6 (2JZ, RB26)	Smoothest and strongest potential

For pure driving excitement, many enthusiasts rank them:

1. Audi 2.5 TFSI 5-cylinder
2. Honda B18C VTEC
3. Toyota G16E-GTS 3-cylinder

The Audi wins on sound and torque, the Honda wins on naturally aspirated response and mechanical feel, while the Toyota wins on power-to-weight and modern rally-car character.