Audi’s new RS 3 is a grill master: Because the front grille on the latest addition from the Ingolstadt toy department extends over almost the entire front. Framed by mighty air inlets and flat LED light slots that light up a checkered flag and the RS logo as a greeting. Even behind the aggressive front, the RS 3 screams: Attack! Fat side skirts, wide flared wheel arches, black-framed oval tailpipes in the rear diffuser – a sports car in Golf format could hardly be more brawny.
So sharp the look, so surprising that it remained at 400 hp, which the iconic 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine shoots on both axles. Nominally less than the direct competition: Mercedes delivers 421 hp in the AMG A 45, while the new BMW M2 will also have 420 horses. Unimpressed by the mess of numbers, the RS 3 with racing driver Frank Stippler at the wheel has nevertheless set a new lap record for compact vehicles on the Nürburgring-Norschleife.
The signs point to sport
First test drive to uncover the secret of success. Swinging into the posh sports cockpit. There it even shows the engine and transmission oil temperature, G-forces or a stopwatch for the quarter mile. And for the first time there is even a head-up display that projects the most important parameters directly into the pilot’s field of vision.
Push the start and it starts booming, Audi’s five-cylinder with the legendary 1-2-4-5-3 firing order. Compared to its predecessor, the boost pressure has been increased, the engine speed range broadened and the torque increased to a smooth 500 Nm. In practice this means: down the gas pedal, up the corners of your mouth! Almost immediately, the RS 3 hurls wildly forward, cracking the 100 mark in just 3.8 seconds under optimal conditions – also the best in its class and even faster than many a Porsche 911! More impressive than the top speed of 290 km / h possible with the dynamic package including ceramic braking system – another top brand – is the range of the seven available driving modes.
RS 3 in turns
While the RS 3 is extremely civil and almost comfort-oriented on Efficiency, Comfort or Auto, it lets the beast hang out at the latest from Dynamic. Then the torque splitter on the rear axle, specially developed for the RS 3, comes into play, which with a multi-plate clutch on the left and right enables fully variable power distribution. That means: In the curve, more drive force is applied to the wheel on the outside of the curve instead of braking the inside wheel as before.
This literally pushes the rear into the curve and a controlled, slight oversteer is brought about. At the exit of the bend, the 7-speed double clutch transfers the power at lightning speed to the wheels with the best traction. The technicians have perfected this in the brand new RS performance mode, which is activated via a dedicated button on the Alcantara sports steering wheel. The focus here is no longer on controlled oversteer, but on directional stability, which should allow amateur racing drivers to achieve significantly better lap times on the track.
Drift once, please!
But this torque splitter not only enables fast lap times, but also promotes the play instinct in the “RS Torque Rear” mode: With the now deactivated electronic stability program, the rear drive forces can be directed to just one of the two rear wheels. In other words: With a courageous step on the gas and sensitive counter-steering, the drift follows immediately – even if the name Ken Block is not on the pass. What remains at the end of our session is black rubber on the asphalt and a big grin on my face. Logically on a cordoned-off area. It has no place on public roads.
Conclusion
This is exactly where we in Switzerland will often see this hammer car, as in previous generations. Because we have an aggressive look, great sound, power to the point and driving dynamics that could only be experienced in super sports cars years ago. But perfection has its price, and it starts in December at a whopping 76,700 francs. For the limousine, at least 77,950 francs are in the price sheet.