Audi RS 3 Sportback out to challenge BMW 1 Series M
BMW’s 1 Series M might dispute this, but the new RS 3 Sportback is being touted by Audi as the sportiest car in the compact category. The numbers marginally support Ingolstadt’s claim for now – the twin-blown N54 3.0-litre six-pot from Munich sends 340hp and 450Nm to its rear wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission; the RS 3’s answer is the single-turbo 2,480cc five-cylinder motor from the TT RS. This is certainly no Golf R slapped with an Audi badge.
Output figures match the BMW’s neck-and-neck, differing only at where along the RPM range that these numbers are delivered. At 1,500rpm, the 1-M twists out its full 450Nm of torque; the RS 3 delivers the same amount at 100rpm later. But while the BMW’s torque slab dissipates at 4,500rpm, the Audi charges relentlessly to 5,300rpm. At 5,400rpm, the RS 3 unleashes its 340 horses, and it isn’t until 5,900rpm that the 1-M joins the fun. Note also that the 1-M’s output peaks at 5,900rpm, while the RS 3 has full power all the way till 6,300rpm.
So, the RS 3 produces the same outputs as the 1 Series M and delivers them over a wider rev spectrum; it also has, thanks to Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive, all four wheels on its side to put its power to the road. Unlike the TT RS, which gets a 6-speed manual, the RS 3 pairs the 2.5-litre motor with a 7-speed DSG. This drivetrain combo gives the RS 3 Sportback a claimed century sprint of 4.6 seconds on the way to a restricted 250kph top speed. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 9.1 litres/100km, and CO2 emissions at 212 g/km.
Based on the VW PQ35 platform which also underpins the Golf, Scirocco, and a bunch of other cars, the RS 3 is independently sprung all-round, following the familiar MacPherson / multi-link layout. The front suspension and subframe feature extensive usage of aluminium construction for weight reduction. Steering is an electrically assisted rack-and-pinion setup, which Audi claims to give fuel savings of 0.2 litres/100km. The steering mechanism is directly integrated to the ESP software which allows it to make auto course corrections in the face of cross winds.
Audi is rolling out the RS 3 Sportback from its plant in Hungary alongside its platform mates – the TT and the A3 Cabriolet. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in Spring 2011 with German prices starting at €49,900
KON
See also:
– Audi TT RS
– Next-gen Audi A3 to feature sedan variant?
– Test drive the Audi RS 3…. in your iPhone!
