He Audi RS 3 Sportback 2024 It is the sportiest variant of the Audi A3 Sportback that has been on the market for a few months. It arrives at dealerships in October and has a price of 83,990 euros.
The star of this high-performance version is the five-cylinder engine. 2.5 TFSI with 400 hp (294 kW) and a maximum torque of 500 Nm, with which this compact car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 290 km/h. The sound is noteworthy, thanks to the 1-2-4-5-3 ignition sequence, which alternates between adjacent and distant cylinders, in addition to the RS double exhaust system with variable throttle valves.
The engine sound is even more noticeable in the dynamic, RS Performance and RS Torque Rear driving modes, which the driver can select with the Audi drive select. In addition, the control of the exhaust flaps between 2,200 and 3,500 rpm has been optimised to provide a more consistent and full-bodied sound, regardless of the selected driving mode. For those who find this insufficient, an optional RS Sport exhaust system is available.
The brand boasts that the car is not only fast on straights, announcing a lap record on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit in 7:33,123 minutes. Driver Frank Stippler set the best time on the 20.832 km circuit by five seconds. Features such as the torque splitter with fully variable torque distribution between the rear wheels, electronic stability control, wheel-selective torque control (brake torque vectoring) and the adaptive dampers of the RS sports suspension help.
There are important new features regarding the 2021 Audi RS 3 Sportback. In this one, oversteer was generated by pressing the accelerator. Now, it is easier to initiate it via the steering angle, so that the driver achieves the same yaw angle more quickly. The Performance mode, specially designed for the track, can now be activated by pressing the left satellite button on the steering wheel. With the checkered flag icon, like the red RS button on the right spoke of the steering wheel, a quick access to the RS Individual mode is new.
In terms of aesthetics, the new Audi RS 3 Sportback is more sporty. The front is dominated by the hexagonal Singleframe, which is flatter and wider, with a voluminous diamond-patterned grille. The side air intakes highlighted by vertical black slats and the three openings on the front splitter make it look lower. Its daytime running lights have changed, with a digital signature showing a checkered flag… although by choosing the matrix LED headlights (new to the RS 3) you can choose between three additional designs, something we saw on the Audi Q4 e-tron.
At the rear, the vertical side reflectors imitate the front air intakes and there is a large specific diffuser, with a red reflector in the centre and oval RS exhaust system trims with their black frames. The rear lights feature new graphics, with dynamic arrows that move from the inside out. In addition, there are specific colours for the bodywork, the Kyalami Green and the Kemora Greynew metallic paints Blue Ascari and Progressive Red and premieres the Daytona Grey mate.
As standard, the car comes with 19-inch aluminium wheels in matt black with a 5-spoke Y design. As an option, there is a design reminiscent of the RS 3 performance edition, with ten cross-spokes and finished in matt dark grey or metallic black. By the way, Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick tyres are available as an option. There are also carbon and high-gloss black packages to personalise the car, with mirror caps in body colour, black or carbon.
The interior is dominated by dark tones. The new steering wheel, flattened at the top and bottom, is covered in perforated leather as standard or with optional Dinamica microfibre and a marker positioned at 12 o’clock. The extras also include RS bucket seats. The centre panel is made of Dinamica microfibre, with Perla Nappa leather on the side bolsters.
Ambient lighting is standard, with many enhancements, and there are design packages in red or green that add splashes of colour to the seat belts, shoulder areas of the seats and air vents. Of course, there is a digital instrument cluster, the 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus, with Sport, Performance and Runway display modes (with tachometer displays on a countdown scale and indicators for power, torque, g-forces, acceleration and lap times).
The coolant temperature, torque splitter, brakes, engine oil and transmission oil are displayed in colour on the 10.1-inch touchscreen – which can also indicate tyre pressure. In addition, the RS 3 offers an online shop with apps that can be used directly on the screen and installed without using a smartphone.
