Audi has revealed some of the technical details of the latest generation of the small sports model – RS3. The company showed photos and video of the sedan and hatchback, whose official premiere will take place soon.
The main difference in the new RS3 compared to the previous model is the improved four-wheel drive system. It is borrowed from the hot hatch VW Golf R, based on the eighth generation of the 5-door model. Audi has decided to abandon the traditional multi-disc clutch to transmit traction on the second axle, replacing it with two similar devices – one on each of the drive shafts of the rear wheels.
Such a scheme allows to realize a controlled thrust vector. For example, on left turns most of the effort goes to the rear right wheel, and on right turns the opposite happens. When leaving the bend, the load is the same. In Sport mode, the torque distribution is shifted to the rear axle, and in Normal mode – to the front.
Each of the two multi-disc couplings has its own control unit connected to wheel speed sensors. They take into account the longitudinal and lateral acceleration, the engaged gear, the position of the pedal, etc. The degree of blocking is controlled by special gearboxes, and all this is monitored by the main computer, which is responsible for the overall dynamics of the car.
The video presented by Audi clearly shows how the system works, whose goal is to make the hatchback and sedan both more fun and more extreme than their predecessors. There are a total of 7 modes available to the driver for different conditions – from drift (RS Torque Rear) to driving on a circular trajectory (RS Performance).
Regarding the engine, the new RS3 retains the 2.5-liter 5-cylinder turbo engine, which has been slightly modified. Its power remains 400 hp, which can be felt in the range from 5600 to 7000 rpm. Maximum torque has been increased from 480 to 500Nm
The new exhaust system with controllable valve will provide more impressive sound, and traction control is provided by an upgraded 7-speed robotic gearbox S tronic with lunch control. This will allow the acceleration time from 0 to 100 km / h to be reduced from 4.1 to 3.8 seconds.
The maximum speed remains electronically limited to 250 km / h. At the customer’s request, it can be 280 km / h, and when ordering carbon-ceramic brakes, the limiter can be moved to 290 km / h.
Adaptive shock absorbers are also available for a fee, and the ground clearance is reduced by 10 mm compared to the S3 version. The suspension is the same as the previous RS3 – McPherson front and multi-link (multi-link) rear. More details will become clear at the presentation of the model, which will premiere to the public at the Munich Motor Show in September.
