Refreshed Audi RS3 smashes rival’s Nürburgring time
Jun 24, 2024
The RS3 facelift is yet to be revealed, but that hasn’t stopped Audi taking it to the Nürburgring to steal BMW’s bragging rights.
The 5-Cylinder Sportback managed a time of 7:33:123 around the Green Hell, over five seconds faster than the BMW M2 which previously held the ‘compact cars’ record.
Audi owes the faster lap-time to a number of updates the RS3 will receive for its mid-life-cycle update, the most significant being a new brake torque vectoring system that utilizes updated algorithms and vehicle controllers to better distribute torque. To us layman folk, that means the car needs less steering angle than ever to hit a corner apex at speed.
It also helps that the car that set the record was equipped with the optional Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick tires, carbon ceramic brakes and adaptive dampers. If you want your RS3 to be the ultimate track weapon, make sure you tick those boxes.
Those concerned about the current trend of downsizing engines will be pleased to know that the RS3’s 2.5-litre inline-5 engine remains untouched.
Other tweaks for the RS3 will be in-line with the recent A3 update, with styling tweaks, updated in-car tech and some new interior options all coming to the freshly minted record-holder.
Pricing and local specification is yet to be announced.