2022 Audi RS3 - 401hp, Drift Mode

[damnitBobby]

https://www.motorauthority.com/news/...in-3-8-seconds

The next generation of the raucous little Audi RS 3 compact sedan is coming for 2022, and it promises even more fun and performance. Audi released teaser images on Monday and revealed information about the car's performance and new RS Torque Splitter rear differential.

The RS Torque Splitter replaces a simple limited-slip differential that lacked the ability to vector torque between the rear wheels. This is a Haldex differential with multi-disc clutches on each rear axle shaft that apportions power between the rear wheels, sending up to 1,290 lb-ft of torque (after torque multiplication from the driveline) to the outside rear wheel. The torque vectoring will surely provide better handling by combating both oversteer and understeer. It also enables Audi to add a new RS Torque Rear mode that allows the RS 3 to drift. The RS 3 also has RS Performance, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and RS Individual modes, plus a new Efficiency mode. The modes change the behavior of the torque splitter, engine and transmission, steering assistance, adaptive dampers, and exhaust flaps.


Audi says the RS Performance mode offers the best track performance and is calibrated for the newly available Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires, which amount to R-compound semi-slicks.

The stability control also has standard, sport, and off modes. Sport mode automatically accompanies RS Performance mode.

The RS3 has always been a delightful oddball with its turbocharged 5-cylinder engine, and it continues down that path. The 2.5-liter turbo-5 will have 401 hp, slightly more than the European version. Audi has also confirmed torque rises from 354 lb-ft to 369 lb-ft. The horsepower comes on earlier at 5,600 rpm, and the additional torque, which hits its peak between 2,250 and 5,600 rpm, aids acceleration at low revs. That power vaults the RS 3 from 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds and sends it to a top speed of 180 mph when equipped with the optional carbon-ceramic brakes. Other versions top out at 155 and 174 mph.

Power runs to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with what Audi calls a sportier gear-ratio spread.

A new modular vehicle dynamics controller captures data about the car's lateral dynamics and coordinates the torque splitter, available adaptive dampers, and torque at individual wheels to help improve the car's agility. torque control for high-precision steering and handling.

The RS 3 will come with a choice of suspensions. The standard version will come with new shocks with valves that react quicker on rebound and compression. An RS Sport suspension uses adaptive dampers with comfort, balanced, and sporty damping curves. To add more grip in turns, the suspension now has almost 1 degree of negative camper. Audi modified the pivot bearings for the additional negative camber, and used stiffer bearings, subframes, and stabilizer bars. The rear suspension has separate springs and dampers, and a four-link independent design. The car sits 0.4 inch lower than the forthcoming 306-hp S3, and the front track is 1.3 inches wider while the rear track is 0.4 inch wider.

Audi equips the RS 3 with variable-ratio steering that speeds up as the steering angle increases.

The photos Audi has provided show that the RS 3 will be offered in sedan and hatchback body styles, though the U.S. will likely only get the sedan. While the car is lightly camouflaged in the pictures, it also shows more than we've seen in spy shots. It likely gets the slightly longer body of the A3 and S3, it has more body sculpting, the grille is wider and features a honeycomb pattern, and we see new vents behind the front wheels look like gills and are likely there to take hot air out of the engine compartment.

Watch for full information on the next-generation Audi RS 3 to be released later this year.

[stein_325i]

I would love if Audi put this engine in more cars. The 5-Cylinder is easily their best engine available besides the beloved V10 (which is sadly long for this world). Overall looks nice, but the hatch is definitely the cooler model of the two, of course, also forbidden fruit.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

I would love if Audi put this engine in more cars. The 5-Cylinder is easily their best engine available besides the beloved V10 (which is sadly long for this world). Overall looks nice, but the hatch is definitely the cooler model of the two, of course, also forbidden fruit.

I don't understand why they don't use it more either. They use it in a few other VAG vehicles in Europe but that's it. I can't imagine it's worth it to keep producing an engine that isn't utilized more.

[stein_325i]

Leaked images:

[n55f15]

Not feeling this, not a fan of the RSQ8 style grille or the fake rear vent

[Foggins]

Hmmm…it actually looks better with the cool camouflage. Those leaked pics above don’t look great.

[RM7]

jumping jesus on a pogo-stick that's a huge grille. Why?

[IllSic_Design]

Yuck. And I thought G8x grilles were bad....

[XMetal]

What's with all those warts on the rear bumpers

[fiveohwblow]

Can we STAHP with the damned drift modes?!

[Flacht3]

The memes 1-2 years ago where the entire car was just a giant grill are starting to become reality...

[Humdizzle]

Nope. That whole design is a mess. Sad because that motor is a gem.

[Th3Walrus]

Yikes, front end reminds me of the current Dodge Dart.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by n55f15

Not feeling this, not a fan of the RSQ8 style grille or the fake rear vent

Looks like they tried to pull off a mini RSQ8 look that just doesn't translate to a smaller front. That looks terrible...

[turbo_joe]

I will stick with my 8V Gen RS3 as my daily driver

[pikkagtr]

I've been telling everyone, BMW needs to step up their grill game
The G8x got nothing on this Audi or the Lexus predator grills

[heavyD^2]

Jesus Christ. I've been a fan of most Audi designs but this is just too much. The entire front end is grille. Cheap, shiny black plastic from the hood line down to to the front lip. Where can Audi take it from here? Grill incorporated into the hood and fenders? Ridiculous! Lots here make fun of some of the BMW larger grilles but this is far more offensive. Did the Audi design team stop working during COVID and just mail this one in? They need to put a bit more effort into their work as this is lazy design.

Also if you watch the video you can still see classic Audi understeer when trying to take corners clean. I imagine the trick rear differential will make this car handle better than last gen which took fast corners like a dump truck even with a wider front track but the MQB platform doesn't handle the addition weight of the 5 cylinder engine well as the Golf R will be more satisfying to drive around a track.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Looks like they tried to pull off a mini RSQ8 look that just doesn't translate to a smaller front. That looks terrible...

It looks awful on the Q8 too.

[gatorfast]

Damn. I was excited for this car but that doesnt look good at all. Front grill and wheels look awful.

[stein_325i]

I'm assuming the black accents that extend from the grill onto the bumper are part of the Black Optics Package like they are on the Q8 and E-Tron GT. Without it there'll probably be a pretty normal looking grill with body colored surrounds.

[heavyD^2]

I don't think the green color helps things. Not the greatest color to debut a vehicle. Not much different than BMW using SPY on a lot of G8x press cars which is the least flattering color. I would like to own the 5 cylinder before it's gone and Audi won't give it to VW so this could be the last car to get the engine as I don't know if there will be another TT. I would love to see this engine in one of their longitudinal vehicles in place of the single turbo V6.

[damnitBobby]

The front looks fat and bulbous because of that glossy grill outline. But IMO the rest of the car looks good and more aggressive. Audi designs tend to be plain and boring so this car needs this.

Looking like it will be this or the IS500 for me early next year.