Audi RS3 2023 Performance Review

news7g12/24/2022

1 6 minutes read

Overall tracking performance

From the first corner in Audi RS3 You feel at home and can strike, it provides confidence-inspiring feedback with rally style motivation. Immediately, this latest version feels more complete, more balanced, and incredibly fast.

The RS3 offers a great balance between everyday drivability and potential on the track at the touch of a button. You don’t feel like you’re living on the edge, but you know the speed will be there if needed.

For 2022, you can say that Audi has Mercedes-AMG A45 WILL certainly in its sights, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 0.1 seconds faster than the AMG and a host of other subtle improvements.

But will this be enough to close the gap and maybe even get ahead of the A45 S? The first impression is that it will be very close…

Engine

On paper 2.5-liter turbocharged in-line five-cylinder petrol engine virtually unchanged, with an identical one 294kW power as its predecessor and slightly increased torque 500Nm – has a higher speed of 300 rpm at 2250 rpm. Immediately, it feels more responsive and responsive, providing a wider, more flexible power range.

It is easier to drive on the track and has more room for error in gear selection and positioning, while maintaining car speed.

Somehow, Audi managed to get more out of the already impressive launch control system, with a claimed 0-100 time of 3.8 seconds.

On my first run, I did 3.89 seconds followed by a runtime of 3.90 seconds, 0.34 seconds faster than what I achieved on the previous generation model.

brake

The brake pedal is really firm and stable, but just lacks the full stopping force I remember from the previous version.

My first thought was the brake package, but I quickly realized it had more to do with grip, which I’ll cover soon.

Adjustment of the brake pedal has been improved and I can make laps much more stable than the old model

chassis

The chassis is very close to ideal, but suffers only a little damage in some areas.

It’s nice to have movement in the frame, but as soon as you start exploring the limits, it shows signs that it’s not quite there. The front end seems to be a weak point with a bit of rolling in both high-speed and low-speed corners, creating a slow and less refined driving feeling.

It won’t turn into a big rudder but lacks the feedback and support to really deliver speed when cornering. The great thing is that if you’re patient enough, you can now swing the car away from this understeer using the improved differential, instead of just going ahead and managing the understeer.

Once that spin kicks in, you can actually steer out of the corner and rely on the quattro all-wheel drive’s traction – now with a rear torque splitter – to propel you forward. .

For the majority of drivers and road users, light balance under the wheel is a boon and something that will inspire confidence behind the wheel. There won’t be many people who can’t get behind the wheel of this car and do some of the best laps they’ve ever done.

In my previous experience, the RS3 Sedan tends to be more understeed than the Sportback (sliding hatch) with a more supportive and stable rear end – possibly a contributing factor to the balance issues that we have. I encountered.

Transmission and differential

The seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic seemed more forgiving when shifting, and I had no problems at all.

I find the latest gearshift to be a definite improvement; if only software wise, on the pattern go. Gearing is excellent, quick and efficient, which is a key part of achieving that 0-100 km/h time.

With differentials, it’s interesting to see Audi ditching the Haldex system, which tends to lack steering, in favor of a mechanical rear differential with an electronically controlled clutch that independently distributes torque between rear wheels.

This offers a much more neutral balance on the throttle, with the ability to even turn the car in the throttle early before bringing everything together when coming out of a corner. I like how well the differential straightens things when you step on the gas and I can accelerate a lot at every corner with confidence that it will stay on line, which is a huge improvement.

From an absolute experience point of view, this makes for a lot more driver satisfaction and it’s great to see that Audi has realized this and moved on. Traction is excellent, as you’d expect.

Suspended

The Audi RS3 is a bit limited on the track given the amount of movement it has.

I didn’t notice this as a big deal before, but I feel with all the other small improvements with the Audi RS3, that they could have improved the suspension a bit.

The suspension’s compliance and travel is excellent, though, and it’s not too harsh on the road or track.

The level of grip and compliance means you can really drive around and use all the tracks with confidence.

Drive system

I was again impressed with the steering, which provides good feedback and connection to the chassis.

It never crossed my mind and as I expected, it’s not a bad thing.

Wheels and Tires

Whenever you do the fastest lap on the first lap, it’s usually a sign that the tires are unsatisfactory.

On our test car, Audi fitted Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires with slightly wider dimensions of 265/30 R19 at the front and 245/35 R19 at the rear. Available overseas Pirelli P Zero tires and race-focused Trofeo R tires.

Audi has stuck with the staggered setup to improve front grip, but there still seems to be a limitation there. I reset the tire pressure for the second run and probably roughly the same as the first, then the time dropped again immediately due to increased understeer.

There seems to be both a compound issue and a pressure problem, with mechanical grip being missing since the compound can be too stiff and then that energy increases the tire pressure rapidly and I’ve never felt as it is connected.

Notably when RS3 Sedan set up compact car lap record around the Nürburgring, Audi has equipped the car with more sticky Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires. I’d love to test drive this car on a proper set of performance tires and see how it performs on the track.

Driver Assistance (Electronic)

Audi has improved the driver aids with more options and customizable RS driving modes.

I’ve noticed with everything in RS and ESC performance modes in Dynamic settings, there’s not as much noise as the previous generation.

I turned off the traction control and didn’t care at all about the Audi RS3’s grip and drivability on the track.

Cockpit (Ergonomics)

I really like the Audi steering wheels, they have a nice size, shape and texture with the optional Alcantara finish – perfect for use on the track and perfect on the road as well.

Putting the RS button on the steering wheel is a great addition and makes it easy to switch to race mode with the flick of a finger. The seats and their placement are also nice and provide enough support on the track as well as everyday comfort.

The new tarmac tachometer really takes a while to get used to. I find it strange that the rpm is moving towards me as I am moving forward. The integration with the gearshift light is nice and you’ll definitely get used to it across the entire screen.

Time ring

In my mind, the Audi RS3 did everything to match the Mercedes-AMG A45 S in lap times – the engine performed better, the differential worked to my will and I could attack. absolutely, but lap times are not. .

It can’t even match Previous generation Audi RS3 on our test trackthat confused me even more.

As a package, it feels fuller, more satisfying to drive and such an enjoyable and entertaining experience, but it did a lap 59.21 seconds – 0.3 seconds slower than the old model and 1.0 seconds after AMG.

The track changes daily and the tires can play an important role, but this time I can say that lap times aren’t everything and you won’t be disappointed getting behind the wheel of an Audi. RS3.