2022 Audi RS3 Saloon [UK]

In the UK, both the Audi RS3 Sportback and Saloon, which start from £50,900 OTR and £51,900 OTR respectively, are available in four different specifications: RS3, Carbon Black, Launch Edition and Vorsprung. As standard, every model comes equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, heated Front Sport seats with 'RS' embossed logo in Fine Nappa leather, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, Audi's 12.3-inch Virtual cockpit with RS-specific display, a 10.1-inch MMI Navigation plus infotainment system, and the all-new RS Torque splitter.

Stepping up to the RS3 Carbon Black (+£4,650) brings darkened Matrix LED headlamps, five-spoke 19-inch matt black alloy wheels, a gloss black front spoiler as well as a carbon fibre finish to the exterior mirror housings, rear spoiler, side skirts and engine cover. Rounding off the line-up is the RS3 Vorsprung (+£7,750). This flagship model benefits from black 19-inch alloy wheels with graphic print, an electric bootlid and a 360-degree camera.

Unmatched acceleration and top speed: the 2.5 TFSI

With its five-cylinder, high-performance engine, the Audi RS3 is one-of-a-kind in the segment. The 2.5 TFSI has won the "International Engine of the Year" award nine times in a row. In the latest generation of the compact sports car, the engine is now more powerful than ever before developing 400PS and 500Nm of torque - allowing a 0-62mph sprint of just 3.8 seconds. Top speed for the standard RS3 is limited to 155mph, but Launch Edition and Vorsprung models see that increase to 174mph.

With the RS Dynamic package and ceramic brakes, customers can even reach a top speed of 180mph. This makes the Audi RS3 the best in its class in terms of acceleration and top speed. This is primarily due to the 20Nm increase in torque over the previous RS3, which is available between 2,250 and 5,600rpm. As a result, the Audi RS3 accelerates even faster from low rev ranges. The engine's maximum power of 400PS is available earlier than before at 5,600rpm and extends over a broad plateau to 7,000rpm. A new engine control unit also increases the speed at which all of the drive components communicate with each other.

Maximum agility: RS Torque Splitter and specific RS3 modes

The new Audi RS3 is the first Audi model that comes standard-equipped with a torque splitter. It replaces the rear axle differential and the previous multiple disc clutch package on the rear axle. Instead, an electronically controlled multiple disc clutch is used on each of the drive shafts. This ensures that the right amount of torque is optimally distributed along the rear axle. During more dynamic driving, the torque splitter increases the drive torque to the respective outer rear wheel with the higher wheel load, which significantly reduces the tendency to understeer. In left-hand curves, it transmits the drive torque to the right rear wheel, in right-hand curves to the left rear wheel, and when driving straight ahead to both wheels.

More dynamic ride with greater precision: RS sports suspension and larger wheel camber

The standard RS sports suspension features newly developed shock absorbers and a valve system both specific to the RS3. The valves ensure that the shock absorbers exhibit a particularly sensitive response as part of the rebound and compression characteristics. This allows the suspension to respond to the respective driving situation even faster and more effectively. The RS sport suspension plus with adaptive damper control is available as an option. It continuously and individually adjusts each shock absorber to the road conditions, the driving situation, and the mode selected in Audi drive select. The three characteristic curves comfortable, balanced, and sporty provide a clearly perceptible spread of the shock absorber characteristics.

Another new addition to the RS3 is the modular vehicle dynamics controller (mVDC). This central system captures data from all the components relevant to lateral dynamics, thus ensuring that they interact more precisely and more quickly. The mVDC synchronizes the torque splitter, adaptive dampers, and wheel-selective torque control for precise steering and handling. All in all, it increases the vehicle's agility, especially on winding roads.

Powerful deceleration: six-piston steel and ceramic brake system

The Audi RS3 comes standard-equipped with larger and newly developed six-piston steel brakes to keep the power of the five-cylinder engine in check. A ceramic brake system measuring 380 by 38mm is optionally available on the front axle with a pedal characteristic curve specially adapted to the brake booster. The high-performance brake system is 10kg lighter than the steel brake. Its internally ventilated and drilled discs measure 375 by 36mm at the front and 310 by 22mm at the rear - this makes them larger and more stable than in the previous model. Air control elements improve the brakes' cooling time by 20 per cent.

This more quickly reduces peak temperatures during hard braking while pedal feel remains the same. In addition, it also reduces brake pad wear, which are 15 per cent larger and copper-free. Those who opt for the ceramic brakes can choose between grey, red, or blue brake calipers. Those who prefer the steel version can order red calipers instead of the black ones.

Expressive and unmistakable: exterior and lighting

The design of the new Audi RS3 is even more dynamic than that of its predecessor and is available in standard, Carbon, Launch Edition and Vorsprung specifications. In the front, the wide RS bumper, the redesigned Singleframe with its distinctive honeycomb grille, and the large air intakes give the compact sports car an expressive appearance. The RS3 comes standard-equipped with flat, wedge-shaped LED headlights and LED taillights including dynamic turn signal lights. Matrix LED headlights will feature on Carbon, Lanch Edition and Vorsprung models, with darkened bezels that feature digital daytime running lights around their outer downturned angles. With its pixel field of 3 x 5 LED segments, it provides an unmistakable look - a checkered flag appears in the left headlight as a dynamic leaving and coming home scene, and the RS3 lettering appears on the driver's side. When driving, the checkered flag lights up on both sides.

There is also a new design element behind the front wheel arches: an eye-catching additional air outlet. The rocker panels with black trim have also been redesigned and, in combination with the flared wheel arches, contribute to the expressive look of the new RS3. The front axle track has been widened by 33mm compared to the previous model. On the Sportback, the rear axle track has increased by 10mm. The RS3 is standard-equipped with 19-inch cast wheels in a 10-Y spoke design, while true racing design is embodied by the optionally available five-Y spokes with RS branding. The motorsports-inspired finishing touches include the redesigned RS-specific rear bumper with integrated diffuser and the RS exhaust system with two large oval tailpipes.

Genuine racing feeling: the interior

In the interior, too, many elements specific to the RS accentuate its sportiness. The displays appear in the 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus, which comes standard. It displays the rpms in the form of a bar graph and shows power and torque as percentages. Optionally, the rpm display is available in the new "RS Runway" design. In this case, the values are displayed in the opposite direction in a manner that visually resembles an aeroplane runway - the highest speed in the foreground and the lowest speed in the background. In addition, the Audi virtual cockpit plus includes displays for g-forces, lap times and acceleration from 0-100 km/h, 0-200 km/h, quarter-mile, and eighth of a mile.

Everything under control: steering wheel with 12 o'clock stripe and RS Mode button

The RS3 is standard-equipped with a three-spoke RS Sport multifunctional leather steering wheel with a flattened bottom. Alternatively, a round RS steering wheel is available with hands-on detection, i.e. capacitive grip recognition, for assisted steering functions. Both have the new RS Mode button on the right-hand steering wheel spoke in common. This button can be used to select the Audi drive select modes RS Performance, RS Individual, or the last mode used. In both RS modes, the display of the instruments and the head-up display has an even sportier look with a blinking shift indicator.