It does have a bit of a fat, but it's muscular and full of leg strength. The Audi RS 3 has now gone from a five-cylinder mascot to a performance beast.
From a purely mathematical point of view, this could be the beginning of the end of the five-cylinder machine... Oh, let's stop being sullen and let's get out of the gloomy mood and enter the beautiful space. The Style of this Audi is similar to that of the Lamborghini, with bright body colors and a cockpit full of buttons and screens, bringing a strong sense of technology. At the push of a button, the quintet rings out from within. It's a march with timpani underneath and trumpets on top. Simply stunning! It's tempting to close the doors and set off for the thrill of driving. The weight of the vehicle is 1645 kg, of which 59% is distributed on the front axle. Does this guarantee enough fun to maneuver? OK! According to Audi staff, there are three improvements that will improve driving pleasure.
But I'd like to add a fourth point first: the agile front bridge. Yes, its tires are wider than the rear tires (265 vs. 245), but like the first-generation RS 3, these tires are not so much for movement as for load-bearing. More power comes from within. With the added negative camber of the wheels, new steering knuckles and stiffer stabilizer bars, the RS 3 now feels better to handle than any previous Audi with a lateral engine. The steering wheel feels subtle and stable near the middle position, but the force is not heavy. This is a very attractive contrast to the powerful engine characteristics. Under the steering column, the front axle and wheels run precisely and smoothly, and above the front axle, the mighty turbo beast is racing. Below 2200 rpm there's nothing special: it rumbles, and you can feel something slowly brewing and then maybe suddenly bursting out at some point.
Good things come in three
To name a few? The previous model was also able to reach more than 400 hp, but now the peak torque has increased by 20 to 500 Nm. This improvement requires a lot of work on the bevel gear drive, which is the first highlight on Audi's list. The rewards of the effort are: get more stimulation while driving, the top speed may reach 290 km / h, and can sprint to 100 km / h in 3.8 seconds, a process that may make your stomach flip.
It never lacks power, it's just that the braking performance is not outstanding, especially on the track. Is this just a minor issue? It is possible, but "RS" stands for "racing" after all, so this flaw is the second point of improvement: optimized ventilation, larger brake discs. Let's take a look!
The decisive twist of the RS 3 comes from the third improvement, which is its biggest highlight. The RS 3 adds axial power distribution between the rear wheels to the longitudinal power distribution of Thehead all-wheel drive, controlled by a torque divider, which connects two electronically controlled clutches to direct the accumulated torque to the load side of the vehicle, forming a powerful steering thrust.
Depending on the driving mode, the entire power distribution process either happens quietly or is noticeably bursting out in "dynamic" mode. When cornering, step on the throttle and you will feel a lever effect of thrust in your back. It's a world away from its predecessor, and it has two special modes to further enhance the experience. The "torque rear" actually turns the quattro into three-wheel drive. One clutch opens and the other closes completely, so you can drive around in circles. Small rings, large circles, half turns, but most importantly, black tire imprints.
The RS 3 can also act in different ways: in Performance mode, it also arranges special characteristic curves for the damping and acceleration pedals, and torque vectoring makes handling neutral. Then add the optional Trofeo-R tires with super grip and there's no problem. But keep in mind that the car is still front and back light, so getting into corners still requires attention. The trick is to brake first, then turn and immediately press the accelerator. Because as soon as the power starts to burst, the performance begins: the RS 3 drills into corners, twists the body to a stable lateral position, and then jumps out with full force. Body swing and traction can be a little uneasy, but the ecstasy after the corner can certainly make you feel worth the fare.
Will this be the last of its kind? It's possible. It really responds to that sentence: a good meal is not afraid of late.
summary
Wild Drive is also available elsewhere, but combined with the heroic five-cylinder turbocharged engine, it's definitely unique. Too wild? Don't worry, in gentle mode, Kung Fu Panda will also breathe calmly.
Audi RS 3 Sportback
Body: Five-seater sedan, length 4389mm, width 1851 mm, height 1436 mm, wheelbase 2631 mm, luggage compartment volume 282 ~ 1104L, curb weight / traction mass 645/430kg
Engine: In-line five-cylinder, turbocharged, displacement 2480 cm3, maximum power 294kW (400PS) / 5600rpm, maximum torque 500Nm / 2250rpm
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Chassis suspension: front lateral swing arm/McPherson, rear multi-link suspension/coil spring, front and rear ventilated disc brakes, tire front 265/30 R19, rear 245/35 R19
Driving performance: 0~100km/h acceleration time 3.8s, maximum speed 250 km/h, combined fuel consumption (NEFZ) 8.3L/100km
Basic price: 60 000 euros