THE rabid new Audi RS3 has been unveiled in all its five-cylinder glory, the compact pace machine as soon as once more being supplied in each sedan and hatch (Sportback) bodystyles, proving greater than a match for each the Mercedes-AMG A45 S and CLA45 S twins.
Resulting from arrive Down Below within the first half of subsequent 12 months, the RS3 reprises the turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine, mated solely to a seven-speed twin clutch automated transmission.
Native tools particulars, together with pricing, shall be revealed within the lead-up to launch.
With drive despatched to each axles by way of a rear-biased quattro all-wheel-drive system, the 294kW/500Nm RS3 will slingshot from 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds and push on a 290km/h v-max when fitted with the RS Dynamic package deal and ceramic brakes.
With out these two choices, the highest pace is proscribed to both 250km/h (customary) or 280km/h, the latter being its personal non-compulsory further.
The virtually ludicrous efficiency is hinted at by the less-than-subtle RS physique package, black consumption and vent mesh, gaping grille, lowered suspension, 33mm-wider tracks, elevated destructive wheel camber, purposeful-looking LED headlights and aggressively styled 19-inch alloy wheels.
Behind these alloys lurk both black or crimson six-piston brake callipers that act on metal discs measuring 375x36mm up entrance and 310x22mm on the rear.
Choosing the ceramic brake pack not solely upgrades the entrance disc materials, but additionally ups the dimensions to 380x38mm, leading to extra energy and higher cooling skills.
The ceramic brakes additionally include gray, blue, or crimson callipers.
As beforehand reported by GoAuto, the brand new RS3 will come as customary with a new-age ‘torque splitter’ that utterly does away with the earlier mannequin’s rear differential.
As an alternative, the brand new system options an electronically managed a number of disc clutch on every drive shaft, each of which have an impartial management unit.
Utilizing info offered by the assorted driver aids, sensors and driver enter, the system determines how a lot of the torque is distributed to the skin wheel, reportedly leading to improved steering precision, much less understeer and extra corner-exit grip.
“Throughout extra dynamic driving, the torque splitter will increase the drive torque to the respective outer rear wheel with the upper wheel load, which considerably reduces the tendency to understeer,” Audi mentioned in a press release.
“The brand new expertise additionally makes managed drifts on closed-off tracks attainable.”
Very like Mercedes-AMG has finished with its all-wheel-drive efficiency automobiles, Audi has fitted the brand new RS3 with a devoted drift mode, on this case dubbed ‘RS Torque Rear’ – one in every of three new bespoke RS driving modes.
The others include ‘RS Particular person’ (for drivers to configure and retailer their most well-liked set-up) and RS Efficiency (all-out efficiency and most grip).
As normal for a contemporary automobile with sporting pretentions, the standard stack of consolation, auto, dynamic and effectivity drive modes are included as nicely.
Not like the larger and dearer RS fashions, the RS3 is not going to come as customary with adaptive dampers, however they are going to be out there optionally.
Talking of choices, these desirous to extract each ounce of efficiency type their new RS3 may also have the ability to go for a set of Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R efficiency semi-slick tyres.
The hyper-hatch options proceed on the within too with a flat-bottom leather-based RS Sport multifunction steering wheel, 12.3-inch Audi digital cockpit plus with RS-specific readouts and shows, handbook shift gentle, a ten.1-inch ‘RS Monitor’ contact show (once more with RS-specific shows), carbon-fibre instrument panel and RS sport seats.
Based on Audi Sport managing director Sebastian Grams, the brand new RS3 twins “characterize the entry level into” the “RS world” and ship “the last word in excellent efficiency within the compact phase”.
“With the third technology of the Audi RS3 Sportback and the second technology of the Audi RS3 Sedan, we now provide premium sports activities automobiles which are appropriate for on a regular basis use and equally thrilling to drive on public roads and racetracks,” he mentioned.
