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Recently updated on November 28, 2022 at 07:52 am
It's fast and a real street performer: the RS 3 performance edition, the sportiest compact model from Audi Sport. Developed for maximum performance, the special edition comes up with an output of 299 kW (407 hp) and a top speed of 300 km/h. In addition to well-known top technologies, such as the RS torque splitter and the ceramic brake, there are RS bucket seats for optimized lateral support and lots of exclusive design elements. With the third generation of the Audi RS 3 Sportback and the second generation of the RS 3 Sedan, high performance has reached a new level in the compact segment. Now Audi Sport GmbH is following suit: The RS 3 performance edition is a special model limited to 300 units and is the pinnacle of its series both technically and visually. Available as a Sportback and as a sedan, the Edition guarantees driving pleasure and emotions across the board.
Turbo engine with more power
The RS 3 performance edition is stronger and faster than any production RS 3 before it. It is the first vehicle in its segment to reach a top speed of 300 km/h, which is 10 km/h more than the standard version with the RS dynamic package plus. In addition, the award-winning 5-cylinder turbo engine with its characteristic sound now delivers 299 kW (407 hp), which is 100 rpm later and thus on a high plateau between 5.700 and 7.000 rpm.
The torque plateau is also wider: the maximum torque of 500 Nm is now available for 100 more revolutions, between 2.250 and 5.700 revolutions per minute. This is achieved through a higher boost pressure: the large exhaust gas turbocharger generates 1,6 bar relative, which corresponds to an increase of 0,1 bar. Power is transmitted by the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Short shift times without any interruption in traction, a sporty gear ratio and the launch control ensure top driving performance. The RS 0 performance edition accelerates from 100 to 3 km/h in 3,8 seconds.
The power is accompanied by the unmistakable and emotional sound of the 5-cylinder with its characteristic ignition sequence "1-2-4-5-3". The standard RS sports exhaust system with a modified center silencer and glossy black oval tailpipes lets out a sporty, robust sound. The fully variable exhaust flap control, which broadly diversifies the sound spectrum, has been slightly adapted for the RS 3 performance edition: In the Audi drive select modes dynamic, RS Performance and RS Torque Rear, the exhaust flaps are opened wider when stationary, which makes the sound even more present.
Top chassis technologies in series
Negative wheel camber, stiffer wishbones, RS-specific tubular anti-roll bar with a higher spring rate - all of these measures already ensure high driving dynamics and stability in the standard RS 3. The RS sports suspension with adaptive damper control comes as standard in the RS 3 performance edition. It adapts each damper individually and permanently to the road conditions, the driving situation and the mode selected in Audi drive select. Compared to the previous generation of the RS 3, the compression and rebound damping have been increased, which means that the shock absorber absorbs the forces introduced by the chassis to a greater extent.
The handling is therefore tighter. The necessary damping forces are set exactly as required by the driving situation within 10 milliseconds by means of electromagnetically actuated valves that regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid. To do this, sensors measure the vertical acceleration of the body structure and the movement of the individual wheels relative to it. This information is processed simultaneously in the damper control unit and in the modular vehicle dynamics controller so that each individual wheel optimally brings the vehicle's performance onto the road. These include supporting the body when cornering at high speed, as well as braking and accelerating, for example with launch control.
With the RS Torque Splitter, the RS 3 performance edition uses a technology that on the one hand increases stability - for example in the wet - and on the other increases agility and ensures less understeer when driving dynamically. This is done by two electronically controlled multi-plate clutches actively and fully variably distributing the drive torque between the rear wheels. A maximum of 50 percent of the drive power goes to the rear axle, in the RS Torque Rear mode at times completely to the outside wheel. This enables drifts on closed roads.
In conjunction with the RS Performance Mode, the torque splitter distributes the drive torque between the rear wheels in such a targeted manner that almost neutral handling with little understeer and oversteer is the result, thus guaranteeing optimum performance on the race track. This allows you to accelerate earlier when exiting corners and achieve faster lap times.
The RS 3 performance edition runs on semi-slick Pirelli P Zero “Trofeo R” tires as standard – 265/30 on the front axle and 245/35 on the rear. Due to their specific rubber compound and their asymmetrical profile, the performance tires offer particularly high grip in dry conditions and thus increase stability and lateral support. In keeping with their properties, the semi-slicks are mounted on cast aluminum wheels in a motorsport design. The 19-inch rims in dark gray matt offered exclusively for the special model have ten distinctive cross-spokes and bear the RS branding. Behind it, the standard 6-piston ceramic brake packs a powerful punch.
Your discs on the front axle measure 380 by 38 millimeters. The high-performance brake system with a specially adapted pedal characteristic of the brake booster is 10 kilograms lighter and more heat-resistant than the steel brakes. The reduction in unsprung masses brings advantages in highly dynamic applications. Floating callipers with one-piece steel discs measuring 310 by 22 millimeters are used on the rear axle. The brake calipers are painted in blue to match the specific interior.
Exclusivity and dynamism made visible
The special model shows its top position in the RS 3 portfolio with many new design elements and equipment: In addition to the wheels in motorsport design and the RS sports exhaust system with black tailpipe trims, the Audi rings and the RS 3 badge are on the front and rear also in black. This is in perfect harmony with the specific paint finishes for the RS 3 performance edition: These include the pearl effect colors Nogaro blue, arrow gray and Daytona gray as well as Sebring black crystal effect and glacier white metallic.
Perfection down to the last detail is also visible in the light. The standard Matrix LED headlights with tinted covers and the LED rear lights have a dynamic turn signal and are staged in an RS-specific manner when locking and unlocking. When the RS 15 performance edition is opened, the digital daytime running lights, which are made up of 3 LED segments, draw the "checkered flag" on the passenger side and the "3-0-0" on the driver's side - based on the limited number and 300 km/h top speed. When closing, the "RS-3" lettering appears in the pixel field below the main headlight instead of "0-0-3". While driving, the checkered flag lights up on both sides as daytime running lights. There is also an entry LED in the front doors as a distinguishing feature: it projects the lettering "#RS performance" onto the ground next to the vehicle.
The special model also makes its exclusivity clear in the interior. For the first time in the RS 3 there are bucket seats as standard, which ensure excellent lateral support when cornering dynamically. Like the outer rear seats, their seat centers have honeycomb quilting with blue contrasting stitching. The material used here is Dinamica microfibre, combined with pearl nappa leather on the side panels. Below the headrest, the black funnel panel integrates a large "RS lettering" and, like the matt carbon rear of the seat backrest, emphasizes the sportiness of the special model. In addition to the fully blue belt straps, the contrasting stitching on the center armrest, the door armrests and the steering wheel are also blue. The same applies to the floor mats and the trunk mat in black velour, which is also adorned with RS lettering. The Alcantara steering wheel, flattened at the bottom, has a 12 o'clock marking for better orientation during sporty driving – also in blue.
10,1 inch touch display
Specifically in the special model, the background image in the 10,1-inch touch display has a carbon look and shows the characteristic ignition sequence of the 2.5 TFSI "1-2-4-5-3". The so-called RS monitor also integrates displays of coolant temperature, engine and transmission oil as well as g-forces and tire pressures. At the same time, the Audi virtual cockpit plus provides information about performance-relevant data such as lap times, g-forces and acceleration in seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, 0 to 200 km/h, quarter mile and eighth mile. The RS 3 performance edition3 is limited to 300 copies - this is also illustrated by the carbon inlay on the passenger side with the badge "1 of 300". The model can be ordered from 75.000 euros as a Sportback and from 77.000 euros as a sedan. The edition will be delivered from the beginning of 2023.
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Photo credit: Audi
