As per Audi’s nomenclature, the RS lineup is dedicated to fast cars, built by Audi Sport. In the case of the RS 3, the carmaker fit in one of the bigger engines in one of the smallest sedans, thereby giving the vehicle an incredible power to weight ratio and turning a boring everyday economy car into a fire-breathing monster. Although this vehicle is based on the company’s A3 sedan, which is a sporty car, Audi added a few more cylinders and a bigger turbocharger to the former vehicle, changed all of its characteristics, and conquered the lap record for compact class on the Nürburgring Nordschleife by 4.64 seconds.
The 2022 Audi RS 3 sedan, labeled as one of Audi's fastest and the sportiest vehicles, was sent to the testing ground Nürburgring Nordschleife where it set up a speedy lap time around the track.
2022 Audi RS 3 Sedan: The Fastest Compact Car To Go Around The Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is considered one of the most challenging race tracks around the course, and setting a lap time of under 8 minutes on this track sets the sedan in a special class. The track is about 12.9-miles long and runs through a forest. This is why it is also nicknamed the ‘Green Hell.’ Previously, Renault Megane RS Trophy-R held this record. However, RS 3 completed the lap in 7 minutes and 40.748 seconds, beating the previous record by staggering 45 seconds. Powered by a 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine and an output of 401 HP and 369 lb-ft of torque, this beast takes power to another level. Although the engine’s layout was very unusual and not frequently used, the odd number of cylinders gives the vehicle a different character and a booming exhaust note. The furious power figure also makes the sedan the most powerful car in the compact segment beating the Renault. To put things into perspective, the time that the 2022 Audi RS 3 happens to set is not far off from some of the greatest cars to ever run the Nürburgring like the Lamborghini Murcielago and the more recent Mercedes AMG GT 63. The only modification done to the automobile was that it was running on Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick tires, which are available as an option in Europe. Although these tires are street legal, they are a nightmare to drive in cold or wet conditions.
The Unmatched Power And Acceleration
The 2.5-liter five-cylinder unit is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission that uses a dual-clutch system. The vehicle is very aggressive with downshifts, as even the slightest throttle input results in a downshift and an instant burst of power. RS 3 uses the legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system, which is found on many other offerings by the German manufacturer. The advanced quattro all-wheel-drive system was a major contributing factor to exponentially increasing the car’s speed around the Nürburgring as it was very dynamic through the corners, thereby carrying a lot more speed through the bends. The inclusion of torque vectoring and a limited-slip differential at the rear axle results in flawless traction. The automobile also has a lot of mechanical upgrades like an upgraded braking system, retuned suspension, and a retuned turbocharger. Talking about performance numbers, the vehicle makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 3.6 seconds, and flat out, it has the electronically limited top speed of 180 mph. These performance figures allowed the RS 3 to punch above its weight and take on some supercars as well.
Delivers A Sporty Driving Experience
The RS 3, a compact Sedan with sporty characteristics, also delivers all the amenities required by a daily driver. The vehicle has a sporty all-black cabin and some green accents on the seats, dashboard, and center console. The 10.1-inch central touch screen infotainment system can be operated in multiple ways like touch, steering mounted controls, and voice commands. There is an inclusion of wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a wireless mobile charger. Moreover, the car is equipped with dual-zone climate control, and the vents are placed higher. There is also a heads-up display that delivers all the sporty driving details right in the driver's line of sight. There are also paddle shifters on offer when drivers feel like taking controls into their own hands.
Overall, the 2022 Audi RS 3 is a fast and well-engineered car that delivers every promise of the RS badge. Since the vehicle is now the fastest compact car to go around the Nürburgring, it is fair to say that Audi has done an exceptional job in squeezing every bit of performance from the vehicle.
Sources: Audi, Robb Report, Nürburgring