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With the third generation of the Audi RS 3 Sportback2 and the second generation of the Audi RS 3 sedan3 Audi is relaunching the sporty dual leadership of the compact segment. The award-winning five-cylinder engine receives more torque and is therefore even more powerful. In combination with the RS Torque Splitter installed in an Audi for the first time, the emotional top model of the A3 series offers performance and lateral dynamics on a new level. The market launch will take place at the end of October - at prices from 60.000 euros for the RS 3 Sportback2 and 62.000 euros for the RS 3 sedan3. "With the third generation of the Audi RS 3 Sportback and the second generation of the Audi RS 3 sedan, we offer top athletes suitable for everyday use who are equally enthusiastic on public roads and circuits," says Sebastian Grams, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. "They form the entry point into our RS world and, with the torque splitter, the ultimate for outstanding performance in the compact segment."
Top values for acceleration and top speed: the 2.5 TFSI
With its five-cylinder high-performance engine, the Audi RS 3 is unique in its segment. The 2.5 TFSI has won the “International Engine of the Year” award nine times in a row. In the new generation of the compact sports car, the unit is now more powerful than ever before. The decisive factor for this is the torque that has increased to 500 Newton meters - 20 Newton meters more than in the predecessor. It is between 2.250 and 5.600 revolutions per minute. The new RS 3 models achieve the broad performance plateau, which reaches up to 7.000 revolutions per minute, from 5.600 revolutions. With an output of 294 kW (400 hp), they sprint from 3,8 to 0 km / h in 100 seconds thanks to Launch Control. That is three tenths faster than before. The top speed, which is electronically limited to 250 km / h, can optionally be increased to 290 km / h - as is the acceleration, a record in the compact segment. The RS 3 sedans consume fuel in the NEDC cycle3 and the RS 3 Sportback2 on average between 8,8 and 8,2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers.
The impressive propulsion of the multiple award-winning five-cylinder is appropriately orchestrated by a new exhaust system. For the first time in the RS 3, it has a fully variable flap control that enables intermediate positions and thus diversifies the sound characteristics even more broadly. The differences can be experienced in the modes of the Audi drive select driving dynamics system. For example, the flaps open much earlier in the dynamic and RS Performance settings - the emotional sound components are even more pronounced. The optional RS sports exhaust system brings out the unmistakable sound of the five-cylinder engine even more clearly.
Maximum agility: RS Torque Splitter and RS 3-specific modes
The RS Torque Splitter, which is installed in an Audi for the first time and replaces the previous rear axle differential with an upstream multi-plate clutch package, ensures more driving fun and dynamic balance. Instead, an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch is used on each drive shaft, which distributes the drive torque variably between the two rear wheels. This ensures even more stability and agility. The torque splitter increases the drive torque to the rear wheel on the outside of the bend with the higher wheel load, which significantly reduces the tendency to understeer. In left-hand bends it transfers the drive torque to the right rear wheel, in right-hand bends to the left and when driving straight ahead to both rear wheels. Due to the difference in propulsive forces, the new RS 3 turns into bends even better and follows the steering angle more precisely - especially when cornering at high speeds.
In addition to the torque splitter, seven Audi drive selects also influence the engine and transmission application, the steering assistance, the adaptive dampers and the exhaust flaps. Different characteristics of the systems mentioned ensure a wide spread of the driving experience - from comfort-oriented and consumption-optimized to pronounced sporty and dynamic to race-track-specific.
The new RS 3-specific RS Performance mode has its own engine and transmission setup specially designed for the racetrack and is matched to the semi-slick tires of the Pirelli P Zero "Trofeo R" brand, which are available as an option for the first time. The torque splitter ensures the most neutral driving behavior possible with little understeer and oversteer in different driving situations. This enables earlier acceleration at the exit of a curve, which enables faster lap times to be achieved. Another new feature is the RS Torque Rear mode, which enables drifts. It is designed for use on non-public roads. The torque splitter transfers up to 100 percent of the drive force directed backwards to one of the rear wheels - a maximum of 1.750 Newton meters. In addition, there are the modes efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic and the RS Individual mode, which enables the systems to be set individually.
Expressive and unmistakable: exterior and light
The design of the new Audi RS 3 is even more dynamic and powerful than that of its predecessor. At the front, the wide RS bumper, the newly designed single frame with a striking honeycomb grille and the large air inlets characterize the expressive appearance of the compact sports car. Behind the exhibited fenders, an air vent gives it a motorsport look. The track on the front axle is 33 millimeters wider. The new RS 3 has Sportback on the rear axle2 increased ten millimeters.
As standard, the RS 3 comes off the production line with flat, wedge-shaped LED headlights and LED rear lights including dynamic indicators. Optionally, there are Matrix LED headlights with darkened bezels, which draw the digital daytime running lights in their outer, downwardly drawn angles. With its pixel field of three times five LED segments, it provides an unmistakable look. When the vehicle is opened, the RS 3 logo appears as a dynamic display on the driver's side and a checkered flag appears in the pixel field of the other headlight. The checkered flag lights up on both sides while driving.
Audi Sport delivers the RS 3 with 19-inch cast wheels in a 10-Y-spoke design. The optionally available 5-Y-spokes, both with RS branding, represent real motorsport design. The sporty finish is marked by the redesigned RS-specific rear bumper with the integrated diffuser and the RS exhaust system with a large oval tailpipe on the left and right. Some exterior features such as the mirror caps, the inserts in the side sills as well as the tailgate and roof edge spoilers are available from carbon fiber reinforced plastic for an even sportier look. There is a total of eight exterior colors to choose from for the models, including the RS-specific paint finishes Kyalami green and Kemora gray.
Driving dynamics made visible: the interior
Many RS-specific elements also emphasize the sportiness in the interior. The 12,3-inch standard Audi virtual cockpit plus shows the speed in RS runway design. Here the values, graphically similar to the runway of an aircraft, are shown in the opposite direction - i.e. the highest speed in the foreground and the idle in the background. In addition, the Audi virtual cockpit plus integrates displays on G-forces, lap times and acceleration from 0–100 km / h, 0–200 km / h, quarter mile and eighth mile.
The RS-specific shift light indicator in manual transmission mode scales the engine speed from green to yellow to flashing red, analogous to motorsport, in order to indicate the ideal time to change gear. It is also integrated into the head-up display, which is available as an option for the first time and projects further information relevant to the driver onto the windshield in the driver's direct field of vision. The 10,1-inch touch display in the instrument panel also shows the temperatures of the coolant, engine and transmission oil, as well as the G-forces and, optionally, the tire pressures.
The carbon inlays in the dashboard and RS sport seats with RS embossing and anthracite-colored contrasting stitching contribute to the expressive look. The seat cover in fine Nappa leather with RS honeycomb quilting and glossy black, red or, for the first time, green contrasting stitching is available as an option. Matching RS design packages are available in red and green. They contain special floor mats with contrasting seams and RS embroidery as well as appropriately colored belt edges. With the plus design package, the seat shoulders and the bar in the air vents are also red or green.
