Audi RS3 Sportback, 2012
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.
They are connected by hollow pins to the aluminum brake disk covers and gripped by four-piston fixed calipers painted in black. The electronic stabilization program (ESP) has a sport mode and can be switched off partially or entirely.
The Audi RS3 Sportback hints at its enormous potential from the very first glimpse. Its front and rear aprons have been prominently modified, and a large roof spoiler sits atop the rear end. The flared front fenders are made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) - an expression of Audi expertise in lightweight design.
The dynamic style is matched in the interior, entirely black and sporting a number of RS3 logos. Sport seats with Fine Nappa leather upholstery are standard; the inlays sport a Piano finish. A boost pressure indicator, an oil thermometer and the lap timer are all included in the driver information system. The instruments and the selector lever are specially designed.
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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.
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.
Interior
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.
The entire passenger compartment, including the roof lining, is a study in black. Inlays in Piano finish black are standard. Alternatively, the new Aluminium Race material and a selection of classy woods from the customization range are available as exclusive options. Silver piping borders the floor mats. The door sills, the tachometer, the seats, the steering wheel and the selector level for the seven-speed S tronic all feature RS3 badges. The pedals gleam with an aluminum finish.
The sport seats with prominent side bolsters provide excellent support for the body. They are upholstered in Fine Nappa leather with silver contrasting stitching. Featuring a heavily contoured rim, the triple-spoke leather multifunction sport steering wheel is flat-bottomed and wrapped in perforated leather complete with contrasting stitching. The shift paddles have a matt aluminum look.
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.
The strengths of the five-cylinder engine, which celebrated its debut in the TT RS in 2009, have impressed expert audiences. Last year, a jury of 71 international journalists named the 2.5 TFSI "Engine of the Year" in the 2.0 to 2.5-liter category, giving Audi its sixth consecutive category win in the competition. In the five previous years, the 2.0 TFSI had taken the award.
The 2.5-liter engine is ultra-compact. Just 494 millimeters (19.45 in) in length, the long-stroke unit (bore x stroke 82.5 x 92.8 millimeters (3.25 x 3.65 in) is ideally suited for transverse installation. Its features an 88-millimeter (3.46-in) spacing between cylinders, and of the six crankshaft main bearings, the ones on the outside have been offset slightly toward the inside. The engine's weight of 183 kilograms (403.45 lb) also sets a record. It keeps the Audi RS3 Sportback's total weight in check and pays off big in terms of axle-load distribution and, ultimately, handling.
The pistons in the 2.5 TFSI are made of cast aluminum with a heat-resistant alloy. Each weighs only 492 grams (17.35 oz), including the rings and pins. The pistons are designed for maximum loading. Tiny, perfectly arranged asymmetries on the barrels and slightly sloped skirt walls further increase their strength. The connecting rods are forged components. Sodium-cooled exhaust valves and hardened valve seat inserts are located inside the cylinder head, which is cast from an aluminum alloy.
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.
The injection system in the 2.5 TFSI is state-of-the-art. In a highly precise measuring method, the pressure sensor in the intake manifold performs load sensing for the control unit. Five individual flaps, which are actuated by negative pressure, mix the incoming air in a calculated configuration in the combustion chamber.
The common-rail system injects fuel into this tumble at pressures of up to 120 bar. The fuel swirls intensely in the combustion chamber, which in turn cools the walls. This solves an old problem with turbo technology - the tendency toward early spontaneous ignition of the mixture at hot spots in the combustion chamber. This "knocking" combustion is brought about by strong heat build-up at high compression. The cooling effect of the direct injection facilitates a high compression ratio of 10 : 1 along with a correspondingly high efficiency ratio.
The two camshafts in the head of the five-cylinder unit also enhance the efficiency of the filling. Each one is adjustable by 42 degrees of crankshaft rotation. They are driven by a two-stage chain drive consisting of an extremely quiet inverted tooth chain, a roller chain and an idler gear.
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.
Like all dual-clutch transmissions, the seven-speed S tronic in the Audi RS3 Sportback comprises two transmission structures. The shifting process takes place in hundredths of a second as the clutches switch. Shifts are fluid and extremely smooth, with no perceptible interruption of traction.
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.
A carbon coating makes all of the synchronizer rings extremely durable. Gears one through three and reverse gear are switched via a triple-cone synchronizer. Housed on the outside of the transmission, the mechatronics module joins the control unit and the control and positioning valves into a compact, robust block. The mechatronics is capable of varying the shifting speed.
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 seven-speed S tronic can operate automatically in the two basic modes, D and S, or the driver can take control via a selector lever or with the paddles on the steering wheel. The launch control mode facilitates explosive sprints from a dead stop. By managing the interplay between the engines and clutches to perfection, it ensures ideal tire slip.
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.
The 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.
The rack-and-pinion steering has an electromechanical drive. Its power assist is based on the driving speed, with reworked characteristics that underscore the dynamic character of the Audi RS3 Sportback. Because the system consumes no energy when driving straight ahead, it is extremely efficient, lowering fuel consumption by roughly 0.2 liters per 100 km. A steering ratio of 16.2 : 1 was chosen for sporty-direct handling.
Integrated with the sensors of the ESP stabilization program, the steering automatically makes slight corrections whenever the Audi RS3 Sportback deviates from a straight course, due to crosswinds, for instance. A second function intervenes when the car is on the verge of skidding: It stops the driver from making steering corrections that would make the situation worse by temporarily reducing the power assist, making it harder to steer in effect. Accurate corrections, on the other hand, are facilitated with increased servo power - a measure that significantly enhances safety.
The four-link rear suspension is capable of handling longitudinal and lateral forces separately. The longitudinal links absorb drive forces and braking forces. For the sake of ride comfort, they are relatively resilient. The three transverse links at each wheel - the spring control arm, the upper transverse link and the track rod - are stiffly joined to the axle support, however, in the interest of vehicle dynamics. Structurally separated coil springs and shock absorbers provide the vertical support.
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.
The ESP stabilization program is configured for sporty driving and can be deactivated in two stages. In the first stage, Sport mode, engine interventions cease to occur, and brake interventions are deferred. In the second stage, ESP is fully deactivated - ideal for skilled drivers who want to put the Audi RS3 Sportback through all its paces on a racetrack.
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.
Numerous extras have been designed especially for the Audi RS3 Sportback, including bucket seats with integrated headrests, for example. Their Fine Nappa leather covers are black, with silver stitching for a contrasting effect.
The Audi exclusive range includes a special design package for this seat version, in which the inside sections of the side bolsters and the upper part of the backrest are adorned with diamond stitching in crimson red. The steering wheel, selector lever gaiter, and parking brake lever have matching red contrasting stitching. A coordinated color is used for the piping on the floor mats.
For the standard sport seats, special upholstery is available in an Alcatara/leather combination or in Audi exclusive Fine Nappa leather. Audi also offers a coordinated, extended leather package for the armrests on the doors and the knee pads on the center console. The front seats can be made even more sophisticated with power-adjustment, lumbar support and heaters. A center armrest complete with a storage compartment and heaters for the outer rear seats complete the seating amenities.
Like its sibling model from the RS lineup, the Audi RS3 Sportback was developed by quattro GmbH. It is already the fourth model to be built at Audi Hungaria and is rolling off the assembly line at the Gyor plant alongside the TT Coupé, the TT Roadster and the A3 Cabriolet. Deliveries of the Audi RS3 Sportback are scheduled to begin in the spring of 2011. Prices in Germany will start at 49,900 euros.