2022 Audi RS 3 Sportback and Audi RS 3 Sedan!

The ENGINE: legendary five-cylinder

The five-cylinder engine of the four rings has long since achieved cult status and is an example of the Audi DNA. Numerous successes in motorsport and the strong performance in series production have earned the five-cylinder engine the “International Engine of the Year Award” nine times in a row since 2010. The 2.5 TFSI played a decisive role in shaping “Vorsprung durch Technik”. The engine, with its typical 1-2-4-5-3 firing order and the associated robust sound, ensures a highly emotional driving experience. In the new RS-3 models, it is further expanding its leading position.

More torque: 20 Newton meters more torque

The five-cylinder in the new RS 3 develops 294 kW (400 hp)²³that range from 5.600 revolutions per minute over a broad plateau to 7.000 revolutions per minute. This means that the maximum power is available 250 revolutions earlier than before and accordingly longer. The performance curve is steeper. In addition, the engineers have strengthened the angle drive and increased the torque of the 2.5 TFSI by 20 Nm to 500 Newton meters. It is between 2.250 and 5.600 revolutions per minute. Despite the constant performance compared to its predecessor, the five-cylinder is more powerful, especially in the low to medium speed ranges, and accelerates better. The new RS 3 sprints from 0 to 100 km / h three tenths faster with Launch Control as standard - 3,8 seconds are now in the data table. As an option, Audi can increase the electronically limited top speed from 250 km / h to 280 km / h. With the RS dynamic package plus, which contains the ceramic brake system and the adaptive chassis, even 290 km / h are possible. The acceleration and top speed of the Audi RS 3 are therefore the benchmarks in the compact segment.

The power of the five-cylinder is brought to the road by a 7-speed dual clutch transmission - with shorter shift times and a sporty gear ratio. Drivers can operate the S tronic, which switches at lightning speed, in the automatic gear stages D and S or switch it manually using the paddles on the steering wheel. Together with the new, faster on-board network, the new engine control unit realizes an intelligent interplay of quattro drive including torque splitter, dual clutch transmission, electronic stabilization control and optional adaptive dampers.

The abbreviation TFSI stands for turbocharging and direct injection - a combination that Audi was the first automobile manufacturer in the world to bring it to mass production in 2004. The exhaust gas turbocharger in the new RS 3 generates 1,5 bar boost pressure (relative). Elaborate measures reduce internal friction and at the same time increase the power output. Lightweight construction materials are used in many engine components. The oil pan is made of magnesium, the crankcase of the 2.5 TFSI is made of aluminum. The cylinder liners are plasma-coated, the crankshaft is hollow and the aluminum pistons have channels for oil cooling. In the short warm-up phase after a cold start, the switchable water pump does not circulate the coolant in the cylinder head - the 2.5 TFSI engine thus reaches its operating temperature much faster. At the same time, this reduces friction and lowers consumption.

Emotional and unmistakable: the sound of the 2.5 TFSI

The uneven number of cylinders and the characteristic ignition sequence 1-2-4-5-3, supported by the geometry of the revised intake and exhaust system, create the unmistakable and emotional sound of the five-cylinder engine. The ignition interval of the 2.5 TFSI is 144 degrees of crankshaft rotation angle. Due to the firing sequence, cylinders that are directly adjacent and those that are further apart fire alternately.

For the first time, the exhaust system has a fully variable exhaust flap control. This means that the flaps can assume various intermediate positions depending on the Audi drive select mode selected. In the dynamic, RS Performance and RS Torque Rear modes, they open much earlier than in other driving modes - the emotional sound components are more pronounced. The characteristic sound of the five-cylinder is reinforced with the optional RS sports exhaust system, which ensures an even sportier sound experience.

Increased efficiency: sailing and efficiency mode

Despite the improved power output, the engine in the new RS 3 works more efficiently. The consumption-oriented efficiency mode, which can be selected via Audi drive select, results in a flatter characteristic curve in the accelerator pedal. In this way, a maximum of 80 percent of torque and power can be accessed, which immediately jump up to 100 percent when a kickdown occurs. In addition, the five-cylinder enables coasting with the engine to idle for the first time. Inlet and exhaust camshafts adjust as required. On the exhaust side, the Audi valvelift system changes the valve opening duration in two stages, depending on the load and engine speed - for moderate consumption at low and partial loads as well as for spontaneous responsiveness and high pulling power at full load. In addition, the RS 3 has two large-volume Otto particle filters with an optimized coating.

• powerful 2.5 TFSI five-cylinder turbo engine with 294 kW (400 PS)²³ and 500 Nm torque (+20 Nm and better curve compared to its predecessor); Expansion of the power range (400 hp at 5.600-7.000 revolutions per minute), steeper power curve
• Acceleration: 3,8 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h (0,3 seconds faster than its predecessor) = best value in its class
• Top speed: 250 km / h (governed), optionally 280 km / h, with RS dynamic package plus 290 km / h = best value in its class
• unmistakable and emotional engine sound through characteristic ignition sequence 1‑2‑4‑5‑3; fully variable exhaust flap control for a wide range of sound characteristics
• Increased efficiency: introduction of efficiency mode, coasting at idle with the engine running

power transmission

• 7-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission with shorter shift times, sporty gear ratio and Launch Control
• Quattro all-wheel drive with RS Torque Splitter: drive torque is actively and variably distributed between the rear wheels for maximum agility and stability; RS Torque Splitter reduces the tendency to understeer when cornering dynamically

Chassis and body

• Body lowered by 3 millimeters compared to A25, compared to S3⁴⁵ by ten millimeters
• Empty weight without driver: RS 3 Sportback² 1.570 kg; RS 3 sedan³ 1.575 kg
• increased lateral guidance, precise steering response and increased lateral dynamics through
• front: McPherson strut axle with RS 3-specific swivel bearing for almost one degree more negative camber compared to the A3; stiffened wishbones; Subframe and stabilizer
• rear: 4-link construction with separate spring-damper arrangement, subframe and RS-specific tubular stabilizer with higher spring rate for optimal performance; about half a degree more negative wheel camber compared to the A3; stiffened wheel carriers
• standard RS sports suspension with newly developed RS 3 dampers and RS-specific valve system; optional RS sport suspension with adaptive damper control
• Semi-slicks available ex works for the first time
• Progressive steering with a variable ratio depending on the steering angle
• Two new R 3-specific driving modes: RS Performance and RS Torque Rear, making a total of seven Audi drive select modes (efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic, RS Individual)
• central driving dynamics controller synchronizes RS torque splitter, adaptive dampers and wheel-selective torque control for the benefit of precise steering and driving behavior

Brakes

• Newly developed steel brake system in the dimensions 375 by 36 millimeters at the front and 310 by 22 millimeters at the rear, larger and more stable than in the previous model
• new air control elements reduce the cooling time of the brakes by 20 percent
• Less wear thanks to copper-free brake pads that are 15 percent larger
• Optional ceramic brake system in the dimensions 380 by 38 millimeters at the front, ten kilograms lighter than steel brake system and higher thermal stability

Exterior design

• powerful proportions, expressive details
• Track widening by 33 millimeters on the front axle and ten millimeters on the rear axle (Sportback); widened fenders
• indicated air outlet behind the front wheel arches as a new design element
• wide RS front bumper: redesigned single frame with a distinctive honeycomb grille
• LED headlights and LED rear lights as standard; Optional matrix LED headlights with digital daytime running lights and RS 3-specific signature as well as coming home / leaving home staging, rear lights with RS-specific animation
• RS-specific rear bumper with integrated diffuser
• RS exhaust system with two large oval tailpipes
• a total of eight exterior colors, including RS-specific paint finishes kyalami green and kemora gray; The limousine can optionally be ordered with a roof in the contrasting brilliant black
• Many customization options: Black high-gloss and aluminum styling package as well as a number of elements available in carbon, for the first time honeycomb grille on the single frame, side air inlets and rear bumper in black matt or black high-gloss

Interior and operation

• sports seats at the front with RS embossing and contrasting stitching as standard; optional RS sport seats at the front in fine Nappa leather with RS-specific honeycomb stitching and RS embossing
• new RS design packages in red and green: RS-specific floor mats with contrasting stitching and RS embroidery; Seat shoulders, belt edges and web in the air vents in red or green
• RS sport multifunction leather steering wheel in 3-spoke design, flattened at the bottom, optionally with 12 o'clock marking; alternatively round steering wheel with hands-on detection
• new steering wheel button for RS driving modes; Steering wheel paddles made of polished die-cast zinc
• Standard Audi virtual cockpit plus with a new design of the speed display
• RS-specific displays and graphics: g-meter, shift light, engine / transmission oil and coolant temperature, tire pressure, acceleration measurement and lap timer
• optional head-up display, including gearshift light indicator

Infotainment and Audi connect

• MMI navigation plus including Audi connect with LTE Advanced and WiFi hotspot
• Audi connect with Car-to-X services such as parking lot and traffic light information as well as predictive traffic flow information
• Functions on Demand, so that functions can also be booked online after the vehicle has been purchased, including MMI navigation plus including connect services, camera-based traffic sign recognition and the Audi smartphone interface
• Networking via the myAudi app, Audi phone box and Audi smartphone interface
• digital Audi connect key for Android smartphones
• Personalization with individual settings for up to six users
• Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 3D sound at the front and 15 speakers

Driver assistance systems

• Standard high level of safety with Audi pre sense front, avoidance assistant, turning assistant, lane departure warning, parking assistant with parking aid plus, cruise control system including speed limiter
• optional adaptive driver assistant, lane change and exit warning, efficiency assistant, emergency assistant and rear cross traffic assistant for increased driving comfort