| Year
(of specifications) |
2011 |
| Engine |
2.5
litre 5-cylinder turbocharged |
| Transmission |
7-speed,
S Tronic, AWD |
| Max
speed |
155
mph (electronically limited) |
| 0-60
mph |
4.6
seconds |
| Horsepower |
340
hp |
| weight |
1,575
kgs / 3,472 lbs |
For 2011 Audi has applied the RS treatment to the A3 model.
Boasting a turbocharged
2.5 litre 5-cylinder
engine - which produces 340 horsepower and 450 Nm (331 lb-ft)
of torque - the RS 3 can catapult itself to 62 mph (100 km/h)
in a scant 4.6 seconds. The party only stops once the car reaches
155 mph due to an electronic speed limiter.
The engine is based on the same unit used in the Audi
TT RS, and it continues a long legacy of high-performance
5-cylinder engines in fast Audis. Even the first Audi RS model,
the 1994 RS 2, had a five-cylinder
engine.
The Audi RS 3's transmission consists of a 7-speed S Tronic
dual-clutch setup which can be operated in automatic or manual
mode. When in manual mode the gears are selected using paddles
on the steering wheel or the selector lever itself. The smooth
shifting process takes place in hundredths of a second, and
the clutches switch over with no perceptible interruption of
pulling power. The RS 3's Seventh gear is very tall - a feature
that reduces fuel consumption when cruising.
It doesn't really need to be said - but here it is anyway. The
Audi RS 3 also features the company's famous quattro permanent
all-wheel system. The central component of this technology is
an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, mounted at
the end of the propeller shaft to achieve a favorable axle load
distribution. Whenever wheel slip occurs at one of the axles,
an electric pump intervenes at lightning speed to increase the
oil pressure. The pump presses the clutch plates together in
a continuous fashion, thereby permitting the torque to be redirected
accordingly.
As you'd expect, the chassis of the Audi RS 3 is considerably
more sporty than other models in the A3 range.
The four-link rear suspension - with a track measuring 1,528
millimeters (60.16 inches) - is anchored to a subframe and features
high-strength-steel control arms that allow it to handle longitudinal
and lateral forces separately.
Widened to a 1,564-millimeter (61.57-inch) track, the front
suspension is a McPherson strut construction, also with a separate
subframe. Key components of the construction are made of aluminum
to reduce weight.
The sports suspension system of the Audi RS 3 lowers the body
by 25 millimeters (0.98 inch) compared with the A3. The RS 3
also features 19-inch cast aluminum wheels fitted with 235/35
series tires at the front and 225/35 at the rear. The wheels
come standard with machine-polished titanium-look styling, but
are optionally available in black with a red rim flange.
The braking system of the Audi RS3 features vented 370 mm (14.57
inch) discs at the front, and 310 mm (12.2 inch) discs at the
rear. The four-piston calipers each bear an RS logo.
The styling of the Audi RS 3 is characterized by more muscular
wheel arches - formed from carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP).
Deeper side sills, aluminium side mirror housings, a roof spoiler,
rear diffuser and twin chrome tailpipes complete the exterior
design package.
Inside, the Audi RS 3 gets sports seats upholstered in Fine Nappa leather with silver contrasting
stitching. The trim is finished in either gloss black or aluminium
depending on the customers tastes. The leather multifunction
sports steering wheel is flat-bottomed invoking a sense of racing
heritage. The driver information system can display the boost
pressure and oil temperature as well as a lap timer.
Similar and related vehicles:
Audi RS 6 Sedan
Audi RS 6 Avant
Audi TT RS (2009)
Audi RS5
Audi RS4 Saloon
Audi RS4 Cabriolet
Audi S3
Audi RS2
|
|
