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| Audi RS3 Sportback Review |
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| Audi RS3 Sportback Relly |
Audi RS3 Sportback The Board
Big performance in a small package - the Audi RS3 Sportback is the newest member of the dynamic Audi RS family. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine pumps out 250 kW (340 hp) and delivers 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) of torque. The unit accelerates the Audi RS3 Sportback into the league of powerful sports cars while consuming just 9.1 liters of fuel per 100 km on average (25.85 US mpg).
Power from the 2.5 TFSI is transmitted to the road via a seven-speed S tronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive. 19-inch wheels and fenders made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) underscore the Audi RS3 Sportback's position of distinction.
Dynamic par excellence: the drivetrain and suspension
A seven-speed S tronic comes standard in the Audi RS3 Sportback. The compact dual-clutch transmission shifts gears almost imperceptibly, with extreme speed and comfort. Seventh gear is very tall - a measure that reduces fuel consumption. In addition to two automatic programs, a manual mode is available, which can be controlled with optional paddles on the steering wheel. The launch control system manages maximum acceleration from a standing start.
The Audi RS3 Sportback has 19-inch wheels. The front tires are size 235/35, whereas the tires at the rear are 10 millimeters (0.39 in) narrower to further enhance handling. The internally ventilated brake disks measure 370 millimeters (14.57 in) in diameter at the front and 310 millimeters (12.20 in) at the rear. The front friction rings are perforated.
Design and body
The new, dynamic top-of-the-line model in the A3 series reveals its potential from the very first glimpse. The single-frame grille, the defining element at the front of the car, features a high-gloss anthracite-colored insert with diamond-patterned styling. A frame in matt aluminum look encircles the grille, and an RS3 badge adorns it. Xenon plus lights are standard on the Audi RS3 Sportback, with integrated LED daytime running lights that form a striking contour
The Audi RS3 Sportback is 4.30 meters (14.11 ft) long, 1.79 meters (5.87 ft) wide, and 1.40 (4.59) meters high. It achieves a drag coefficient of cd 0.36 and has a frontal area of 2.16 sq m (23.25 sq ft). Its curb weight is 1,575 kilograms (3,472.28 lb). In its normal configuration, the luggage compartment has a capacity of 302 liters (10.67 cubic ft), but with the rear seatbacks folded down, it holds an impressive 1,032 liters (36.44 cubic ft). As options Audi also offers practical components, including a luggage compartment package and a load-through hatch with or without a ski bag
nterior
A distinctive interior design with sporty circular air nozzles, perfect ergonomics and a no-holds-barred approach to quality in the selection and use of materials - these are all typical traits of the Audi A3 model line. In addition to these, the Audi RS3 Sportback comes with a host of special features.
Engine
For decades, gasoline engines with turbocharging technology have been the domain of Audi - the five-cylinder TFSI in the Audi RS3 Sportback carries on the tradition of high-performance engines. From 2,480 cc of displacement, it draws 250 kW (340 hp) of power, which is available between 5,400 rpm and 6,500 rpm. Its specific output is 100.8 kW (137.1 hp) per liter of displacement. The maximum torque is 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) - it is readily available at the low end of the rev range, around 1,600 rpm, and remains constant up to 5,300 revolutions.
Blazing acceleration: 0 - 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.6 seconds
The Audi RS3 Sportback accelerates from a standing stop to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.6 seconds - faster than any competitor in the compact category. Its superb pulling power allows it to pass other cars without the slightest effort. Top speed electronically is limited to 250 km/h (155.34 mph). Underneath the hood lies the engine with its red cylinder-head cover exposed - a fascinating piece of technology and a treat for the eyes.
In terms of fuel consumption, the powerful five-cylinder engine is frugal, using on average just 9.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (25.85 US mpg) and emitting 212 g CO2 per km (341.18 g/mile). This efficiency, which puts the Audi RS3 Sportback clearly ahead of its main competitors, can be attributed to the combination of FSI direct injection and turbocharging, two core competencies of the brand with the four rings. In motorsport, the toughest test laboratory in the world, TFSI technology has powered the Audi R8 to five final wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Turbo throughput: 335 liters (11.83 cubic ft) of air per second
The large turbocharger is generously sized, with a compressor wheel that measures 64 millimeters (2.52 in) in diameter at the outlet. At full load, the charger is able to compress up to 335 liters (11.83 cubic ft) of air and generates boost pressures of up to 1.2 bar. Its housing has a separate oil supply, and a dedicated water pump provides cooling. The intercooler lowers the temperature of the compressed air at full load, thereby achieving an efficiency of over 80 percent. Much effort has gone into optimizing the entire intake path to minimize pressure loss.
Drivetrain
Audi delivers the Audi RS3 Sportback with the seven-speed S tronic as standard. The high-tech gearbox transmits power via three shafts: one drive shaft and two output shafts. This layout results in a short construction - a prerequisite for interaction with the transversely mounted engine.
The S tronic operates with two multi-plate clutches. The large K1 clutch located on the outside conducts the torque from the engine via a solid shaft to the gear wheels for the odd gears 1, 3, 5 and 7. A hollow shaft rotates around the solid shaft. It is connected to the second, smaller K2 clutch, which is located inside its larger sibling, and which controls the gear wheels for the gears 2, 4 and 6, as well as reverse gear.The seven-speed S tronic in the Audi RS3 Sportback has an oil volume that lubricates and cools - as well as drives - the wheel sets, clutches and components of the mechatronic system. A positioning valve regulates the oil flow to the clutches as needed, keeping it low in most situations. The transmission is designed for high efficiency in every range. Its seventh gear is very tall - a measure that lowers rotational speed, which in turn reduces consumption. The overall gear spread is 6.6 : 1.
The added advantage: quattro permanent all-wheel drive
Like every RS model, the Audi RS3 Sportback has quattro permanent all-wheel drive as standard. Its characteristic strength is an extra measure of slip-free acceleration, vehicle dynamics, driving safety and directional stability. The powerful compact car delivers a dynamic, stable performance under any driving style, even in difficult winter conditions. When exiting corners, it transmits its power to the road even in situations where the competition is still struggling just to get a grip with its two driven wheels.
Chassis
The Audi RS3 Sportback is a consummate driving machine. It takes to curves eagerly, almost voraciously, and moves through them with supreme agility. Its stability limit is extremely high. The responsive steering grants the driver precise control of the car.
The front suspension is a MacPherson strut construction with lower wishbones. The pivot bearings, axle support and transverse links are made of aluminum. The subframe, also made of aluminum, is bolted to the body at six points, providing added stiffness. The front suspension has a 1,564-millimeter (61.57 in) track.
Style writ large: standard 19-inch wheels
The Audi RS3 Sportback is fitted with series 8 J x 19 cast aluminum wheels in 5-arm "Rotor" design. The wheels come standard with machine-polished titanium-look styling, but are optionally available in black with a red rim flange. The front tires are size 235/55, whereas the tires at the rear are 10 millimeters (0.39 in) narrower. This gives the handling an even more dynamic character when the driver accelerates out of corners. A repair kit comes standard. Audi also offers optional factory-installed 18 or 19-inch winter tires.
The large wheels have powerful brakes behind them. All four disks are internally ventilated and measure 310 millimeters (12.20 in) in diameter at the rear axle and 370 millimeters (14.57 in) at the front axle. The 32-millimeter (1.26 in) front friction rings are perforated to further increase heat dissipation. They are connected by hollow pins to the aluminum brake caps. Four-piston calipers, painted black and adorned with RS badges, grip the front disks. The calipers are also made of aluminum, a measure that reduces the unsprung masses.
Equipment and trim
Audi has given the RS3 Sportback an extensive array of equipment and trim. The standard-package highlights include quattro permanent all-wheel drive, 19-inch alloy wheels, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, the RS3 leather multifunction sport steering wheel and sport seats in Fine Nappa leather. A two-zone deluxe automatic air conditioner, the Sport button, a hill-start assist feature, a rear parking system, an anti-theft system, the chorus radio system and a sun shield for the rear windshield round out the portfolio.
The dynamic compact car is equipped with front airbags that deploy in two stages, according to the severity of the crash. Belt tensioners and force limiters protect the driver and front passenger. Even the outboard rear seats are fitted with belt force limiters. During a rear impact, the integral head restraint system supports and protects the back of the head; front side airbags and the Audi head airbag system are at the ready in the event of a side impact.
Power from the 2.5 TFSI is transmitted to the road via a seven-speed S tronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive. 19-inch wheels and fenders made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) underscore the Audi RS3 Sportback's position of distinction.
Dynamic par excellence: the drivetrain and suspension
A seven-speed S tronic comes standard in the Audi RS3 Sportback. The compact dual-clutch transmission shifts gears almost imperceptibly, with extreme speed and comfort. Seventh gear is very tall - a measure that reduces fuel consumption. In addition to two automatic programs, a manual mode is available, which can be controlled with optional paddles on the steering wheel. The launch control system manages maximum acceleration from a standing start.
The Audi RS3 Sportback has 19-inch wheels. The front tires are size 235/35, whereas the tires at the rear are 10 millimeters (0.39 in) narrower to further enhance handling. The internally ventilated brake disks measure 370 millimeters (14.57 in) in diameter at the front and 310 millimeters (12.20 in) at the rear. The front friction rings are perforated.
Design and body
The new, dynamic top-of-the-line model in the A3 series reveals its potential from the very first glimpse. The single-frame grille, the defining element at the front of the car, features a high-gloss anthracite-colored insert with diamond-patterned styling. A frame in matt aluminum look encircles the grille, and an RS3 badge adorns it. Xenon plus lights are standard on the Audi RS3 Sportback, with integrated LED daytime running lights that form a striking contour
The Audi RS3 Sportback is 4.30 meters (14.11 ft) long, 1.79 meters (5.87 ft) wide, and 1.40 (4.59) meters high. It achieves a drag coefficient of cd 0.36 and has a frontal area of 2.16 sq m (23.25 sq ft). Its curb weight is 1,575 kilograms (3,472.28 lb). In its normal configuration, the luggage compartment has a capacity of 302 liters (10.67 cubic ft), but with the rear seatbacks folded down, it holds an impressive 1,032 liters (36.44 cubic ft). As options Audi also offers practical components, including a luggage compartment package and a load-through hatch with or without a ski bag
nterior
A distinctive interior design with sporty circular air nozzles, perfect ergonomics and a no-holds-barred approach to quality in the selection and use of materials - these are all typical traits of the Audi A3 model line. In addition to these, the Audi RS3 Sportback comes with a host of special features.
Engine
For decades, gasoline engines with turbocharging technology have been the domain of Audi - the five-cylinder TFSI in the Audi RS3 Sportback carries on the tradition of high-performance engines. From 2,480 cc of displacement, it draws 250 kW (340 hp) of power, which is available between 5,400 rpm and 6,500 rpm. Its specific output is 100.8 kW (137.1 hp) per liter of displacement. The maximum torque is 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) - it is readily available at the low end of the rev range, around 1,600 rpm, and remains constant up to 5,300 revolutions.
Blazing acceleration: 0 - 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.6 seconds
The Audi RS3 Sportback accelerates from a standing stop to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.6 seconds - faster than any competitor in the compact category. Its superb pulling power allows it to pass other cars without the slightest effort. Top speed electronically is limited to 250 km/h (155.34 mph). Underneath the hood lies the engine with its red cylinder-head cover exposed - a fascinating piece of technology and a treat for the eyes.
In terms of fuel consumption, the powerful five-cylinder engine is frugal, using on average just 9.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (25.85 US mpg) and emitting 212 g CO2 per km (341.18 g/mile). This efficiency, which puts the Audi RS3 Sportback clearly ahead of its main competitors, can be attributed to the combination of FSI direct injection and turbocharging, two core competencies of the brand with the four rings. In motorsport, the toughest test laboratory in the world, TFSI technology has powered the Audi R8 to five final wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Turbo throughput: 335 liters (11.83 cubic ft) of air per second
The large turbocharger is generously sized, with a compressor wheel that measures 64 millimeters (2.52 in) in diameter at the outlet. At full load, the charger is able to compress up to 335 liters (11.83 cubic ft) of air and generates boost pressures of up to 1.2 bar. Its housing has a separate oil supply, and a dedicated water pump provides cooling. The intercooler lowers the temperature of the compressed air at full load, thereby achieving an efficiency of over 80 percent. Much effort has gone into optimizing the entire intake path to minimize pressure loss.
Drivetrain
Audi delivers the Audi RS3 Sportback with the seven-speed S tronic as standard. The high-tech gearbox transmits power via three shafts: one drive shaft and two output shafts. This layout results in a short construction - a prerequisite for interaction with the transversely mounted engine.
The S tronic operates with two multi-plate clutches. The large K1 clutch located on the outside conducts the torque from the engine via a solid shaft to the gear wheels for the odd gears 1, 3, 5 and 7. A hollow shaft rotates around the solid shaft. It is connected to the second, smaller K2 clutch, which is located inside its larger sibling, and which controls the gear wheels for the gears 2, 4 and 6, as well as reverse gear.The seven-speed S tronic in the Audi RS3 Sportback has an oil volume that lubricates and cools - as well as drives - the wheel sets, clutches and components of the mechatronic system. A positioning valve regulates the oil flow to the clutches as needed, keeping it low in most situations. The transmission is designed for high efficiency in every range. Its seventh gear is very tall - a measure that lowers rotational speed, which in turn reduces consumption. The overall gear spread is 6.6 : 1.
The added advantage: quattro permanent all-wheel drive
Like every RS model, the Audi RS3 Sportback has quattro permanent all-wheel drive as standard. Its characteristic strength is an extra measure of slip-free acceleration, vehicle dynamics, driving safety and directional stability. The powerful compact car delivers a dynamic, stable performance under any driving style, even in difficult winter conditions. When exiting corners, it transmits its power to the road even in situations where the competition is still struggling just to get a grip with its two driven wheels.
Chassis
The Audi RS3 Sportback is a consummate driving machine. It takes to curves eagerly, almost voraciously, and moves through them with supreme agility. Its stability limit is extremely high. The responsive steering grants the driver precise control of the car.
The front suspension is a MacPherson strut construction with lower wishbones. The pivot bearings, axle support and transverse links are made of aluminum. The subframe, also made of aluminum, is bolted to the body at six points, providing added stiffness. The front suspension has a 1,564-millimeter (61.57 in) track.
Style writ large: standard 19-inch wheels
The Audi RS3 Sportback is fitted with series 8 J x 19 cast aluminum wheels in 5-arm "Rotor" design. The wheels come standard with machine-polished titanium-look styling, but are optionally available in black with a red rim flange. The front tires are size 235/55, whereas the tires at the rear are 10 millimeters (0.39 in) narrower. This gives the handling an even more dynamic character when the driver accelerates out of corners. A repair kit comes standard. Audi also offers optional factory-installed 18 or 19-inch winter tires.
The large wheels have powerful brakes behind them. All four disks are internally ventilated and measure 310 millimeters (12.20 in) in diameter at the rear axle and 370 millimeters (14.57 in) at the front axle. The 32-millimeter (1.26 in) front friction rings are perforated to further increase heat dissipation. They are connected by hollow pins to the aluminum brake caps. Four-piston calipers, painted black and adorned with RS badges, grip the front disks. The calipers are also made of aluminum, a measure that reduces the unsprung masses.
Equipment and trim
Audi has given the RS3 Sportback an extensive array of equipment and trim. The standard-package highlights include quattro permanent all-wheel drive, 19-inch alloy wheels, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, the RS3 leather multifunction sport steering wheel and sport seats in Fine Nappa leather. A two-zone deluxe automatic air conditioner, the Sport button, a hill-start assist feature, a rear parking system, an anti-theft system, the chorus radio system and a sun shield for the rear windshield round out the portfolio.
The dynamic compact car is equipped with front airbags that deploy in two stages, according to the severity of the crash. Belt tensioners and force limiters protect the driver and front passenger. Even the outboard rear seats are fitted with belt force limiters. During a rear impact, the integral head restraint system supports and protects the back of the head; front side airbags and the Audi head airbag system are at the ready in the event of a side impact.
