Bragging rights - Fastest in its class: lap record on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 7:33.123 minutes
The dominant feature of the assertive front design is the hexagonal Singleframe with a striking border. Flatter and considerably broader than before, it emphasizes the dynamics of the compact sports car with its voluminous rhombus-pattern grille. The same goes for the two functional side air intakes – accentuated by vertical black blades – and the three apertures above the front splitter, which now spans the entire vehicle breadth and lets the RS 3 sit even lower – reminiscent of the Audi Sport quattro S1 Pikes Peak from 1987. With redesigned daytime running lights, the headlights also accentuate the car’s performance. The digital signature, which displays a checkered flag in the RS 3 comprises 24 elements. Furthermore, in combination with the matrix LED headlights, drivers can choose between three additional daytime running light designs in the MMI touch display for the first time.
The rear of the RS 3 also features references to motorsport and has a much stronger presence than before. Vertical side reflectors continue the design theme of the air intakes at the front. The large functional RS-specific diffuser incorporates a red reflector in its center and, on its sides, the two oval tailpipe trims of the RS exhaust system, which look even larger in their black frames.
Like the headlights, the taillights also feature a new graphic: Arrows that dynamically light up from inside to out with the coming home/ leaving home function embody the progressive taillight design.
Rich, dark interior with flat-top and flat-bottom steering wheel and RS bucket seats
In the interior, too, which is dominated by dark color tones, everything is geared for performance, with the new steering wheel, RS sport or bucket seats, carbon features, and sporty displays. Flattened above and below, the steering wheel has a substantially sportier look. Whether in perforated leather as standard or optional Dinamica with 12 o’clock marker in accent colorThe expressive exterior is accentuated by the RS-specific exterior colors Kyalami Green and Kemora Gray, the new metallic paints Ascari Blue and Progressive Red, and, for the first time, Daytona Gray in a matt finish. The Singleframe and diffuser have a black finish, with a choice of high-gloss or matt. Continuing this theme, the RS 3 comes with matt-black 19-inch aluminum cast wheels in a 5-Y-spoke design as standard. Optionally, the rims are available in the motorsport design familiar from the RS 3 performance edition, with ten striking cross spokes, either in matt dark gray or in glossy metallic black in bicolor design. Even more individuality is offered by the carbon and high-gloss black packages, which adorn the front air intakes, the side skirts, and the blade above the diffuser. These are complemented by wing mirror covers in body color, black, or carbon.
HEARING: five-cylinder engine with more distinctive sound
The Audi RS 31, 2 is powered by the legendary 2.5 TFSI engine from Audi Sport with 294 kW (400 PS) and maximum torque of 500 Newton meters. Numerous motorsport successes make the award-winning five-cylinder engine one of the most evocative at Audi and make driving the RS 3 an incomparable experience. In particular this is due to its unique sound, which is based on the signature 1-2-4-5-3 firing sequence. Adjacent and non-adjacent cylinders fire alternately providing a forceful rhythm and character, suitably orchestrated by the twin RS exhaust system with variable flap control. Press the red-ringed engine start/stop button, and the throaty sound of the five-cylinder engine rings out – more voluminous and even more distinctive in the Audi drive select modes dynamic, RS Performance, and RS Torque Rear. In addition, the exhaust flap control was optimized in the rpm range between 2,200 and 3,500 revolutions. In this way, the five-cylinder generates a consistent and fuller-bodied sound no matter which mode is selected. Audi Sport thus enhances the emotional driving experience in the top model of the A3 family – especially in conjunction with the optional RS Sport exhaust system.The popularity of the model is also clearly reflected in its numbers. Since its market launch in 2011, almost 80,000 units of the compact sports car have come off the production lines, most of them last year. And the success story continues.
