AUDI has set its new RS 3 loose and this fire-breathing hot-hatch has just set a new lap record around the famous Nürburgring-Nordschleife — recording a time of 7:33.123 minutes.
This beat the previous record in this class by more than five seconds and Audi’s success means the RS 3 is once again the fastest compact car on the 20.832-kilometer racetrack in the Eifel.
The secret to the new RS 3 becoming The King of the Ring isn’t down to its engine as it’s still powered by the same 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbo petrol unit that produces the same 400bhp and 500Nm of torque as the previous generation.
So it can blitz 0-100kph in just 3.8secs with a top speed of 290kph.
KEY FACTS:
AUDI RS3
Cost: From €96,000
Engine: 2.5-litre, five-cylinder TFSI turbo petrol
Power: 400bhp
Torque: 500Nm
0-100kph: 3.8secs
Top Speed: 290kph
Economy: 25mpg
Emissions: 211g/km
Gearbox: 7-speed DCT
Drivetrain: quattro AWD
Rivals: Mercedes-AMG 45S
But the Audi engineers have further developed the RS 3’s algorithm so it reacts more acutely to the vehicle driving dynamics of the torque splitter with its fully variable torque distribution between the rear wheels.
And further development to the electronic stability control, wheel-selective torque control and the adaptive dampers of the RS sport suspension, are all factors that allow it to smash the previous Nürburgring record in this class by such a distance.
But as well as sticking to the road, the new RS 3 is easier to oversteer allowing the driver to obtain the perfect drift angle faster than before.
And to hear that iconic five-cylinder engine really sing, it’s best enjoyed in the Audi drive select modes Dynamic, RS Performance and RS Torque Rear because an exhaust flap opens between 2,200 and 3,500rpm enhancing the sound.
Visually up front there’s redesigned daytime running lights, and at the rear, the RS 3 features a large functional RS-specific diffuser which incorporates a red reflector in the centre.
And incorporated into the diffuser is the huge twin oval tailpipe of the RS exhaust system.
The new RS 3 is available in RS-specific exterior colours Kyalami Green and Kemora Gray, the new metallic paints Ascari Blue and Progressive Red, and, for the first time, Daytona Gray in a matt finish.
Inside the interior is dominated by dark colour tones.
There’s a new flat top and bottom steering wheel, the RS sport bucket seats are covered in Fine Nappa leather with the center panel featuring RS honeycomb stitching.
There’s a new display for the driver with the rev counter showing in the middle with dials for the power output, torque, g-forces, acceleration and lap times and in manual gearbox mode.
And the RS-specific shift indicator changes the rpm display from green to yellow to red, motorsports-style, to indicate the ideal time to change gears.
The new RS 3 Sportback will start at €96,000, the saloon an extra €2,000, with the cars arriving here in November.