The Audi RS 3 is already the new king of the Nürburgring

Throughout the tuning phase of its new torque splitter system, the engineers responsible for developing the new Audi RS 3 had one goal in mind, even if they did not admit it: to take the throne among the fastest production compact cars at the Nürburgring. The fight here has been very close in recent years, with the Honda Civic Type R and the Renault Mégane RS Trophy as the protagonists, although both models are front-wheel drive, compared to the Audi RS 3, which features all-wheel drive.

In any case, the stopwatch is the unquestionable judge. With a time of 7:40.748 minutes, the Audi RS 3 is crowned the fastest compact at the “Green Hell” among cars in its class. The record was set last July with the Sedan body version, and with racing driver and Audi test driver Frank Stippler at the wheel.

Setup for the fast lap: the key, semi-slick tyres

Without a doubt, the thousands of kilometres of testing carried out by Audi at the Nürburgring contributed greatly to finding the right chassis setup so that the new Audi RS 3, in its standard configuration, could beat the record.

The new torque splitter system, which Audi uses for the first time in a production model, will play a big part here. Let us recall that this is a system that distributes torque between the rear axle wheels in a completely variable way, using not one but two electronically controlled multi-plate clutches, one on each half-shaft.

The new RS 3 also features a RS performance driving programme specific to the track, in which the torque splitter guarantees the most dynamic behaviour possible. We can say this is the “fast lap” mode. However, there is one decisive factor without which it would be impossible to “break the lap time”: the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick tyres, which are offered as an optional factory fitment.

With these tyres and the optional Dynamic Plus RS package, which includes adaptive running gear with a special setup of the controlled damping and ceramic brakes, the Audi RS 3 raises the standard top speed limit to 290 km/h. The 400 CV from the 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine, which delivers 500 Nm of torque, ensure that power is never a problem when it is needed. Thus, the RS 3 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, a benchmark in its class.

Start of RS 3 sales in Spain

Coinciding with the announcement of the record, Audi begins selling the new RS 3 Sedan and RS 3 Sportback in the Spanish market by opening the order period. Deliveries will begin from September.

The price for the Audi RS 3 Sportback is 74,870 euros, while the RS 3 Sedan carries a surcharge of 970 euros. Among the standard equipment, highlights include 19-inch alloy wheels (with 265/30 tyres on the front axle and 245/35 on the rear), RS running gear with suspension lowered 10 mm compared to the Audi S3, alarm, Dinamica microfibre and leather mixed upholstery or carbon inserts on the dashboard, plus the Confort and Tech packages.

The extensive options catalogue includes the RS and RS plus design packages, available in green or red, fine Nappa leather upholstery, RS sports exhaust system and various decorative and customisation elements, including two exclusive body colours, Kemora grey and Kyalami green.

Audi RS 3 image gallery at the Nürburgring