Audi RS3The latest Audi to fit into the German manufacturer’s ever-expanding range is the RS3. Those who know Audi’s models well will also know that the magic ‘RS’ letters are applied only to muscle motors. As the company literature has it: “The new Audi RS3 Sportback is part of a select group of premium, very high performance compacts”.This new car, as its name implies, is part of the A3 range, which itself is about as big as they come, comprising literally scores of models. Those that still do enjoy the ability to overtake slow traffic with an alacrity that leaves one exposed to danger for the minimum time, will enjoy their time behind the wheel of this car more than somewhat.Since performance is what the thing’s all about we ought to start there. With 340PS from the TFSI engine’s 2.5 litres delivered to all four wheels by the quattro system, you can expect a 0-62 time of 4.6 seconds and fuel consumption of 31mpg, but definitely not at the same time. Top speed is 155mph, and I’ve no doubt the car would feel as composed at that velocity as it did on the test roads of Austria where we were constrained to lesser numbers. The main points of interest about all this macho stuff start with the engine: 340PS from just 2.5 litres is an amazing quantity, made possible by the turbocharging and direct petrol injection with which the engine’s equipped. More importantly, as far as everyday motoring is concerned, there are such shed-loads of torque (332 lb.ft. if you want the figure) that it’s quite happy to potter along in high gear at the sort of speeds made essential by traffic volume and lesser machinery.Our test was on predominantly wet roads, but at no point did the car feel anything other than glued to the tarmac; Araldite could do the job no better than the quattro system and ultra-wide tyres (235mm at the front and 225 rears) do, and it certainly wouldn’t be as quick. The sports suspension ride is as firm as you’d expect, but not uncomfortably so, and seats give a comforting amount of lateral support, so even the more enthusiastic drivers should be able to arrive at their destination with passenger nerves intact.Audi have managed to instil a throaty bass grunt into the exhaust note when large amounts of throttle are being used by the driver, but on the motorway all is placid; you could easily be driving a normal shopping motor. Driver’s view to the outside world is pretty good, with helpful ‘C’ windows that ease the business of parking.It will come as no surprise that the RS3’s transmission is of the clutchless manual variety; over the years Audi has been the main proponent of this type of gearbox. The 7-speed box (they unaccountably call it ‘S tronic’) combines the best of a manual – which means maximum fuel consumption and maximum control over what’s going on under the bonnet – with ease of driving. You can simply leave it to do its own thing, or change gear yourself with a flick of the gear lever or a touch on the steering wheel paddles. The S tronic’s official gear change time is 0.02 seconds, which means there’s precious little time when the car is not being propelled by the engine. However, that doesn’t mean it all happens one-fiftieth of a second after you flick a paddle, for there’s a noticeable gap while the electronics sort themselves out.Sporty motoring this may be, but the RS3 won’t cut the mustard unless there’s practicality there too. Body style is Sportback, which suggests estate car competence, and indeed the body shape looks mildly that way. The boot is in fact a fair size, and square edged, so uses its volume to best advantage. That volume is 302 to 1032 litres, with rear seat upright and folded respectively. It’s an easy seat to fold, but only the back rests (not the cushion) go down so you’re left with a pronounced slope to the floor; not good for moving those white goods, though possibly not too many RS3 owners indulge in that sort of weekend behaviour.There’s just the one model, and the one spec, and it’s generous enough, though as ever the Audi options list is a lengthy one. All of which isn’t actually that relevant, as for the time being the RS3 is sold out, numbers being limited by the factory. That can change, and if you get to take a test drive you’ll realise why it would be a good idea if it did.Size: 4.30m x 2.02m (inc mirrors)Engine: Petrol: 2.5 litres – 340PSGearbox: 7-speed 4WDConsumption: 31.0mpgPrice at July ’11: £39,930Full details of the RS3 are available on the manufacturer’s website: www.audi.co.ukPeter Cracknell – July 2011
Audi RS3
The latest Audi to fit into the German manufacturer’s
ever-expanding range is the RS3. Those who know
Audi’s models well will also know that the magic ‘RS’
letters are applied only to muscle motors. As the
company literature has it: “The new Audi RS3
Sportback is part of a select group of premium, very
high performance compacts”.
This new car, as its name implies, is part of the A3
range, which itself is about as big as they come,
comprising literally
scores of models.
Those that still do enjoy
the ability to overtake
slow traffic with an
alacrity that leaves one
exposed to danger for
the minimum time, will
enjoy their time behind
the wheel of this car
more than somewhat.
Since performance is
what the thing’s all
about we ought to start
there. With 340PS from
the TFSI engine’s 2.5
litres delivered to all four
wheels by the quattro
system, you can expect
a 0-62 time of 4.6 seconds and fuel consumption of
31mpg, but definitely not at the same time. Top speed
is 155mph, and I’ve no doubt the car would feel as
composed at that velocity as it did on the test roads of
Austria where we were constrained to lesser
numbers. The main points of interest about all this
macho stuff start with the engine: 340PS from just 2.5
litres is an amazing quantity, made possible by the
turbocharging and direct petrol injection with which
the engine’s equipped. More importantly, as far as
everyday motoring is concerned, there are such shed-
loads of torque (332 lb.ft. if you want the figure) that
it’s quite happy to potter along in high gear at the sort
of speeds made essential by traffic volume and lesser
machinery.
Our test was on predominantly wet roads, but at no
point did the car feel anything other than glued to the
tarmac; Araldite could do the job no better than the
quattro system and ultra-wide tyres (235mm at the
front and 225 rears) do, and it certainly wouldn’t be as
quick. The sports suspension ride is as firm as you’d
expect, but not uncomfortably so, and seats give a
comforting amount of lateral support, so even the
more enthusiastic drivers should be able to arrive at
their destination with passenger nerves intact.
Audi have managed to instil a throaty bass grunt into
the exhaust note when large amounts of throttle are
being used by the driver, but on the motorway all is
placid; you could easily be driving a normal shopping
motor. Driver’s view to the outside world is pretty
good, with helpful ‘C’ windows that ease the business
of parking.
It will come as no surprise that the RS3’s
transmission is of the clutchless manual variety; over
the years Audi has been the main proponent of this
type of gearbox. The 7-speed box (they
unaccountably call it ‘S tronic’) combines the best of a
manual – which means maximum fuel consumption and
maximum control over what’s going on under the
bonnet – with ease of driving. You can simply leave it to
do its own thing, or change gear yourself with a flick of
the gear lever or a touch on the steering wheel
paddles. The S tronic’s official gear change time is 0.02
seconds, which means there’s precious little time when
the car is not being propelled by the engine. However,
that doesn’t mean it all
happens one-fiftieth of a
second after you flick a
paddle, for there’s a
noticeable gap while the
electronics sort themselves
out.
Sporty motoring this may
be, but the RS3 won’t cut
the mustard unless there’s
practicality there too. Body
style is Sportback, which
suggests estate car
competence, and indeed the
body shape looks mildly that
way. The boot is in fact a
fair size, and square edged,
so uses its volume to best
advantage. That volume is
302 to 1032 litres, with rear seat upright and folded
respectively. It’s an easy seat to fold, but only the back
rests (not the cushion) go down so you’re left with a
pronounced slope to the floor; not good for moving
those white goods, though possibly not too many RS3
owners indulge in that sort of weekend behaviour.
There’s just the one model, and the one spec, and it’s
generous enough, though as ever the Audi options list
is a lengthy one. All of which isn’t actually that relevant,
as for the time being the RS3 is sold out, numbers
being limited by the factory. That can change, and if
you get to take a test drive you’ll realise why it would
be a good idea if it did.
Size:
4.30m x 2.02m (inc mirrors)
Engine:
Petrol: 2.5 litres – 340PS
Gearbox:
7-speed 4WD
Consumption:
31.0mpg
Price at July ’11:
£39,930
Full details of the RS3 are available on the manufacturer’s
website: www.audi.co.uk
Peter Cracknell – July 2011
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