Audi Spills Secrets and techniques of New RS3

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The upcoming third-generation Audi RS3 will undertake a newly developed all-wheel-drive system to supply it with enhanced efficiency, higher agility and full drift qualities together with a so-called RS Torque Rear driving mode, the German automaker says.

The 394-hp sedan, set for North American supply in early 2022, is the primary in a sequence of recent fashions from Audi’s Sport efficiency automobile division to undertake a so-called Torque Splitter. Manufactured by Austrian engineering specialist Magna, it replaces the only, electronically managed, multiplate disc clutch and rear differential of the earlier second-generation RS3’s Haldex-designed AWD system.

Consisting of two electronically managed clutches – one on every of the rear driveshafts – it gives the soon-to-be-unveiled 2022-model-year RS3 with sooner and extra correct apportioning of drive between the entrance and rear axles in addition to particular person torque loading to every of the rear wheels in additional sporting driving modes.

Similar in operation to the Drift Mode operate utilized by the RS3’s key rival, the Mercedes-AMG A45S 4Matic, the brand new Torque Splitter is claimed to supply higher traction throughout standing begins in addition to enhanced agility on tougher roads, the place it will increase the quantity of drive to the respective outer rear wheel to considerably scale back understeer,” says Norbert Gösl, growth engineer for the RS3.

The new system additionally gives the RS3 with the flexibility to carry out managed drifts in a RS Torque Rear driving mode. It receives its personal distinctive mapping with sharper throttle response, altered shift technique for the gearbox and management of the AWD system. So configured, the Torque Splitter is able to directing all of the drive to solely one of many rear wheels for attribute rear-wheel-drive oversteer qualities.

Audi Sport has additionally supplied the brand new sedan with a devoted monitor driving mode. Called RS Performance, it makes use of its personal AWD mapping and has been developed to function together with semi-slick Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo R tires, which will probably be out there as an choice when gross sales start subsequent month.

The new RS3 retains its predecessor’s transversely mounted turbocharged 2.5L 5-cyl., the EA850 as it’s recognized internally. It develops the identical 394 hp as earlier than, although it’s now delivered 250 rpm earlier within the rev vary at 5,600 rpm and extends to 7,000 rpm. Torque has been elevated by 15 lb.-ft. (20 Nm) to 369 lb.-ft. (500 Nm) between 2,250 rpm and 5,600 rpm.

Drive is channeled by way of the identical 7-speed DCT as earlier than. All up, there are seven driving modes: Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, RS Individual, RS Performance and RS Torque Rear.

Together with the brand new AWD qualities, the most recent RS3 additionally adopts a coast operate that idles the engine on the overrun at speeds above 62 mph (100 km/h) in Comfort and Automatic modes for added fuel-saving potential.

Other modifications embrace a bigger gasoline particulate filter and a brand new exhaust system with a totally variable flap for brand spanking new sound qualities.

While the brand new RS3 is claimed to weigh about 88 lbs. (40 kg) greater than the earlier mannequin, Audi Sport claims a 0.3-second discount within the new mannequin’s official 0-62 mph time at simply 3.8 seconds together with a reworked launch management system for the gearbox.

This is 0.1 second contained in the time quoted by Mercedes-AMG for the 415-hp turbocharged 2.0L 4-cyl.-powered A45 S 4Matic.

Together with the modifications to the drivetrain, Audi has reworked the RS3’s MacPherson strut entrance and multi-link rear suspension. It sits 1.0 in. (25 mm) decrease than commonplace fourth-generation A3 fashions and 0.4 in. (10 mm) decrease than that of the most recent S3. It additionally receives new entrance wheel bearings that improve the entrance monitor by 1.3 ins. (33 mm) to 62.7 ins. (1,593 mm) and an extra 1 diploma of damaging camber to the entrance wheels.

The third-generation RS3 adopts a brand new adaptive damper system, changing the sooner magnetic experience system in favor of the Dynamic Chassis Control association already out there on different new A3-based fashions.

In conserving with developments on the S3, the brand new RS3 receives a so-called modular automobile dynamics controller. It networks the adaptive dampers, torque splitter and torque vectoring operate.

Audi will supply a alternative of two 19-in. tires, Pirelli P-Zeros and Bridgestone Potenza Sport, with a profile of 265/30 on the entrance and 245/35 on the rear.

The brakes have been upgraded with 14.8-in. (38-cm) metal discs and 6-pot calipers on the entrance and 12.2-in. (31-cm) metal discs and 1-pot calipers on the rear. Buyers additionally will have the ability to specify optionally available 15.0-in. (38-cm) carbon-ceramic entrance discs.