Skip advert
Advertisement

New Audi RS 3 sets a top Nürburging lap time as it prepares for launch

Facelifted Audi RS3 tops the timing sheets as the updated hyper-hatch is put through its final tests ahead of a summer 2024 launch. 

Ahead of the launch later this summer, Audi has taken its new Audi RS 3 to the Nürburgring to see how fast it will go. The answer: very, as it turns out, the car having set a time of 7min 33.123 seconds in pre-production form. That’s two-seconds quicker than the existing RS 3, over six-seconds quicker than the time set by the Renault Sport Megane RS Trophy R and a whopping 11 seconds ahead of the FL5 Honda Civic Type R. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The time, set by legendary Audi racer and development driver Frank Stippler, is down to the further evolution of the RS 3’s sophisticated chassis hardware, which includes Audi’s RS torque splitter that allows variable torque distribution across the rear axle, brake torque vectoring that manages the individual torque delivery to each wheel, Audi Sport’s latest adaptive sports suspension and a thorough re-working of the RS 3’s electronic stability control systems. 

‘The key to our success was the RS3 turns in more willingly at corner entry thanks to fine-tuning – including brake torque vectoring – which allows the vehicle to be positioned earlier and better for corner exit from the apex, at the latest. The result is a lower steering angle from apex to corner exit, which leads to less friction and earlier acceleration, allowing you to carry more momentum and speed onto each subsequent straight’, explained Stippler. 

The RS 3 is still powered by Audi’s 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine, and will be the last Audi model to be fitted with this warbling motor. The 394bhp and 369lb ft it produces are clearly a benefit when setting a ‘Ring time, but so too would have been the Pirelli Trofeo R tyres that have been an option on the RS 3 since 2021, although not on UK models. The lap time setting pre-production car was also fitted with 19-inch carbon-ceramic brakes.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Audi RS3 2025 review – can it topple AMG’s A45 S?
Audi RS3 – front
Reviews

Audi RS3 2025 review – can it topple AMG’s A45 S?

The RS3 has one of the most spectacular engines you'll find in a hot hatch, and the rest is just as good. Is that enough to warrant a £60k+ asking pri…
20 Mar 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Audi RS3 v Toyota GR Yaris v Mercedes-AMG A45 S – car pictures of the week
Hot hatch test
Features

Audi RS3 v Toyota GR Yaris v Mercedes-AMG A45 S – car pictures of the week

In the latest issue of evo, we test three of the most sophisticated hot hatches on sale against each other on road and track – these are our favourite…
29 Mar 2025
Honda Civic Type R (FN2) – the car world's greatest misses
Honda Civic Type R FN2
Features

Honda Civic Type R (FN2) – the car world's greatest misses

Its lineage contains some hot hatch greats, but the late-noughties Civic wasn’t one of them
26 Mar 2025
Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 review – an MX-5 with Honda VTEC power
Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 – front
Reviews

Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 review – an MX-5 with Honda VTEC power

A screaming 296bhp Honda VTEC engine and a full chassis upgrade package turn the NC-generation Mazda MX-5 into something altogether more thrilling
25 Mar 2025