Audi is no stranger to making performance cars, having created a whole collection of iconic sports cars. However, in the contemporary world, petrol-powered monsters are slowly becoming less significant, as a newer and more impressive electric vehicle is introduced seemingly every day. It takes something truly special to take an already successful and iconic line of performance cars and continue to update them year by year, still staying relevant.
With the IAA Motor Show having displayed what's hot and new in the automotive world, the emphasis has fallen unto electric and hydrogen technologies, leading to significant ommissions regarding petrol performance. This is in no way a devaluation of electric vehicles (EVs), or the general advancement of EV tech, but rather a re-articulation of the amazing performance afforded by more traditional petrol-combustion engines. One of the significant petrol cars that were featured in the IAA Motor Show was the new 2022 Audi RS 3, which brought together all the things that we love about the RS 3 and advanced it even further, creating an ultra-modern hyper-hatch.
So, let's look at the newest iteration of the Audi RS 3, examining the changes made for 2022 and seeing how it fares in relation to some of the other cars featured in the IAA motor show.
Powerful Performance Promotes Petrol Power
So let's get to the good stuff: power.
Any Audi with the RS badge packs a punch. Representing the highest levels of performance, RS models take the classic models of Audi and literally transform them to maximize performance. In terms of the RS 3, it is the smallest in the RS lineup, but do not be fooled by its size, it embodies some of the highest levels of performance. Housing the iconic turbocharged 2.5-Liter five-cylinder engine in the Audi A3 chassis, the car produces 401 HP and 369 lb-ft of torque creating a 0-60 MPH time of 3.8 seconds. However, some claim that the quoted acceleration time is rather conservative and real-world testing could see an even faster acceleration. Power is sent to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, to ensure that power utilization is maximized without risking loss of traction.
Furthermore, torque vectoring comes standard to the new RS 3, which uses intelligent torque measuring technology to monitor and adjust torque depending on the selected mode and required performance. There will be a new drift mode that will send power to a single rear wheel to ensure that the car slides around just like in all of our favorite movie drift scenes. Suspension and dampening have also been updated to keep up with performance across all five drive modes. Furthermore, the car sits on 19" wheels, slightly lower than the standard S3, and features a more aggressive black front and rear grill.
The RS 3 combines the visceral and visual experience of performance to create a modern performance machine unlike any other.
Driver-Enveloping High-Tech Elegance
Moving inside the cabin, Audi has made sure that the comfort and luxury level of the RS 3 does not lag behind its performance. The steering wheel features a flat bottom, much like that of modern Ferrari steering wheels, with an RS button to change driving modes. Audi ensures that even the highest levels of performance will be enjoyable and comfortable for the driver, with the RS honeycomb seat quilting adorning the sports seats with contrast stitching in red, green, or black. There is also an option to upgrade the seats to Nappa leather. The driver sees all the necessary info on a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit gauge cluster, which displays all the usual speed and tachometer information as well as some more specialized information like G-force, tire pressure, and 0-60 MPH times. Furthermore, there is also a 10-inch infotainment system to take care of music, navigation, and Bluetooth calls.
Details, Prices and Potential Competition
If you are convinced that the newest Audi RS 3 is the one for you, as most of us are, here are a couple of other things to note before pulling the trigger and buying one. The US market will only receive a sedan version of the RS 3, while the European market will receive a hatch version as well, which depending on personal preference can be positive or negative. Either way, the RS 3 is incredibly quick having set a new Nurburgring lap record for compact cars with a time of 7:40.7 minutes.
However, US prices have not been released just yet, but UK pricing starts at £57,900 (~ $80,000) with a variety of additional packages to further customize the car. These optional upgrades range from mechanical changes; larger alloys and ceramic brakes to technological upgrades such as a premium Bang & Olufsen stereo system, a head-up display, and a 360-degree parking camera. Again, the US pricing for these upgrades has not been released. More and more details will be released closer to 2022 so keep your eyes peeled.
Sources: HotCars, MotorTrend, AutoCar, CarWow, AutoExpress, and CarAndDriver