Compare on the same fuel
APR publishes one Stage 1 range for each car, from the lowest octane it supports up to race fuel or E85, so the top of its range is not a pump-fuel figure. Unitronic publishes a figure for each fuel: Stage 1 for 91 US / 95 RON, and Stage 1+ for 93 US / 98 RON. In Israel only 95 and 98 are sold, so compare the bottom of APR's range with Unitronic's Stage 1 and 1+.
| Car | APR Stage 1 (published range) | Unitronic Stage 1 (95 RON) | Unitronic Stage 1+ (98 RON) |
|---|---|---|---|
| VW Golf GTI Mk7 / 7.5 | 290–337 hp 87–104 US / 91–102 RON | 297 hp | 310 hp |
| VW Golf GTI Mk8 | 328–375 hp 87 US up to E85 | 336 hp* | 361 hp* |
| VW Golf R Mk7 / 7.5 | 357–381 hp 91–100 US / 95–104 RON | 355 hp | 375 hp |
| VW Golf R Mk8 | 398–442 hp 91 US up to E85 | 386 hp* | — |
| Audi S3 8V | 357–381 hp 91–100 US / 95–104 RON | — | — |
| Audi RS3 8Y | 446 / 462 hp 91 / 93 US | 514 hp | 561 hp |
| Audi RS6 C8 | 685–767 hp 91–104 US | 700 hp | 753 hp |
* Unitronic lists these figures with its gearbox tune and an intercooler (and an intake on the GTI Mk8); APR's Stage 1 needs no hardware on these cars. "—" means Unitronic shows no figure on the page we link. Every figure links through to its guide, and each guide links the maker's own page.
What the numbers don't tell you
- Each company measures stock differently. On the RS3 8Y, APR measured the stock car at 412 hp on its own dyno, above Audi's 401 hp. Compare gains from one company's dyno, not peak figures across companies.
- Warranty. On several cars APR offers APR Plus, its 91-octane Stage 1 file with a limited powertrain warranty (for example the Golf R Mk8, S3 8V and RS3 8Y). Ask your dealer what cover comes with either brand in your country.
- Flashing at home. Unitronic sells UniCONNECT+ for flashing at home on several cars, including the GTI Mk7, S3 8V and RS3 8V. Ask how the file you choose is installed and updated.
- Manual gearboxes. On the GTI Mk7, Golf R Mk7 and S3 8V, APR offers low-torque files that protect a stock clutch or gearbox.
- The engine computer unlock. On the RS3 8Y both need the engine computer unlocked first: APR supplies an unlocked ECU, and Unitronic unlocks yours by send-in.
- Where you go next. Both sell Stage 2 and big-turbo Stage 3 packages. On the GTI Mk8, APR's Stage 3 with the factory Golf R turbo claims 410–478 hp, and Unitronic's Stage 3 with a Garrett PowerMax turbo claims 470 hp.
Which one should you choose?
On pump fuel the figures are close on most cars, so choose on what surrounds the tune: which company has an experienced dealer near you, whether you want a warranty option such as APR Plus, whether you want to flash at home, and whether a gearbox tune from the same company is available for your car. Then open the guide for your car: it lists every tune, the parts each stage needs and the brands that make them.