Contents
Overview
The all new 2022 Audi RS3 has a drift mode. And its trick rear differential that the RS3 shares with Volkswagen Golf R is one of the most beneficial on track feature. It records Nürburgring time of 7:40.8 convincingly.
Though the hereditary is almost same, the RS3 has been combined into an altogether different thing this time. It’s a lot more serious about extracting lap times. The bold and brutal look delivers the message before even the drive. 265 mm width tires houses in the front and 245 mm at the back. The Audi designers thought a lot before designing this thing. What can’t be seen are the Audi RS3 specific spindles and hubs, front subframe, control arms, or anti-roll bars. So, if you were thinking to buy an RS3 or a Golf R you surely know, for which one you should go ahead.
In case of performance section, RS3 is fitted with a 2.5L wonderful engine. Accompanying that are five-cylinders, placed in a V shape. Boasting a unique soundtrack is a weird and award winning turbocharged engine producing 401 ponies and 369 lb-feet of torque, that’s seven hp more and 15 lb-feet more than in previous model. In any case, the slight lull is more than made up for in the run to redline, where the RS3 pulls and pulls . . . and pulls . . . and pulls . . . until the upshift.
The only transmission offered is a seven-speed automatic one. We caught a little lagging behind on downshifts more than a few times. So, its best to use Manual mode if you’re chasing lap times. From there, an open differential sends torque to the front wheels as before. The rearward torque is sent to outside wheel, by de-clutching the inside rear wheel, that helps in instigating the forementioned drifting antics in RS performance drive mode. As before, front wheels plays a main part.
Pros: Bonkers five-cylinder engine, unassumingly quick, commuter-friendly comfort.
When launch control engaged, the car hits 60 mph in a matter of time recording 3.3 sec. This is tenth of second better timing than 2017 RS3, thanks too its curb weight of 3639 pounds. It flies to the quarter mile in 11.8 sec. at 117 mph. However, the dual-clutch launch control combined with engine’s torque peak 3500 rpm are evident in the run from 5 to 60 mph, which is 4.7 sec.
RS3’s mechanical package provides the best of both worlds. If you went into a corner with high speed, trusty understeer will save your day. Alternately, with the right entry speed, accelerates the car sooner than you think, and shuffles the torque and pull you out. It pays to drive the RS3 with ham-fisted aggression.
The steering is a perfect fit and offers precise control. The outright width of front tires is easy to behold even through the damping of electric steering rack, translating your palms as “brute steamroller,” not “nimble little sedan“. Unfortunately, grip levels have deceased slightly compared to old RS3. Around the skidpad, the new RS3 records 0.94 g versus the 0.98 g that the 2017 Audi RS3 generated on the similar Pirelli tires. Likewise, its 167 foot stop is 10 feet longer than previously seen optional carbon-ceramic setup. To counter this, Audi now offers Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R rubber tires as an $450 option.
You should take this toy to the track so that you can experience its setup to be a fair compromise. The suspension seems to be perfectly damped for road driving, a great feat for such a track based. In Comfort mode, the rebound feels in sync with undulations and depressions, particularly at high speeds. So, you should configure the RS individual mode accordingly.
Cons: Could be louder still, can top $70,000 with options, compact interior dimensions.
The starting price of RS3 is $59,995. It can further increase if you opt for a $5500 Dynamic Plus package to the $2750 Tech package. We surely recommend the $1000 RS Sport exhaust, the better 88-decibel sound of turbo five banger and if you wanted to, you could make your car a $70K plus thing.
The main question arise is the RS3 worth of this price as the level of attention is very rare for such high stake car. Set up an S3 as close as this and you are maximum spending $50,000. Although, redesigned BMW M2 and Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 are very similar in price, but has one less cylinder. And yes, they are not made for turning laps on the track. For the right person, RS3 might be of something.