New Audi RS 3 Puts Emphasis on Performance
Audi has revealed the new RS 3 sedan, the company announced. Updated for 2022, the sports car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, has a top speed of 180 mph, and includes upgrades like an RS Torque Splitter, semi-slicks and specific RS driving modes.
“With the second generation of the Audi RS 3 Sedan, we now offer premium sports cars that are suitable for everyday use,” says Sebastian Grams, managing director of Audi Sport GmbH. “They represent the entry point into our RS world and, thanks to the torque splitter, the ultimate in outstanding performance in the compact segment.”
Powered by a 400-horsepower 2.5 TFSI, the new RS 3 sprints from zero to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. The top track speed is limited to 155 mph, but 173 mph is also available as an optional upgrade. With the RS Dynamic package and ceramic brakes, the car can reach a top track speed of 180 mph. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission puts the power of the five-cylinder engine to the pavement with short shifting times and a sportier gear ratio spread, the automaker said.
The exhaust system features a fully variable flap control system that supports intermediate positions, thus broadening the sound characteristics. It can be adjusted via the Audi drive select. In the Dynamic and RS Performance modes, flaps open much earlier for a more pronounced sound. In addition, the emotive sound of the five-cylinder engine is further enhanced by the optional RS sports exhaust system, the company said.
The new Audi RS 3 is the first Audi model that comes standard-equipped with a torque splitter. It replaces the rear axle differential and the previous multiple disc clutch package on the rear axle. Instead, an electronically controlled multiple-disc clutch is used on each of the drive shafts. The torque splitter increases the drive torque to the respective outer rear wheel with the higher wheel load, which significantly reduces the tendency to understeer.
The standard RS sports suspension features newly developed shock absorbers and a valve system both specific to the RS 3. The RS sport suspension plus with adaptive damper control is available as an option.
The RS 3 comes standard-equipped with larger and newly developed six-piston steel brakes. A ceramic brake system is optionally available on the front axle with a pedal characteristic curve specially adapted to the brake booster. The high-performance brake system weighs another 22 lbs. less than the steel brake. Air control elements help improve the brakes’ cooling time by 20 percent.
In the interior, too, many elements specific to the RS accentuate its sportiness, the company said. The displays appear in the 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus, which comes standard. It displays the RPMs in the form of a bar graph and shows power and torque as percentages. Optionally, the rpm display is available in the new “RS Runway” design. In addition, the Audi virtual cockpit plus includes displays for g-forces, lap times and acceleration from 0‑60 mph, 0-124 mph, quarter-mile and eighth of a mile.
The 10.1-inch touch display includes what is referred to as the “RS Monitor,” which displays the coolant, engine and transmission oil temperatures as well as tire pressures. Also available for the first time for the Audi RS 3 is a head-up display that projects relevant information onto the windshield in the driver’s line of sight, in addition to the shift light indicator.
The interior is also equipped with a carbon-fiber instrument panel and RS sport seats with RS embossing and anthracite contrast stitching. The seat upholstery is optionally available in Nappa leather seating surfaces with RS honeycomb stitching and glossy black, red or green contrast stitching. RS Design packages in red and green are available to match. They include special floor mats with contrast stitching and RS embroidery, as well as safety belts with colored edges. The Design package plus includes seat corners in red or green and colored accents on the air vents.
