Last week I was fortunate enough to attend the local media launch of the Audi RS 3 Sportback and Sedan in South Africa. As you can imagine, the day was action packed with us, the media getting to experience the latest performance model from Four Rings German manufacturer both on the road and on track! I think the term "feeling like a kid on Christmas morning" is pretty appropriate because it isn't often OEM's allow us to have fun on a closed off circuit with high-end models like this.
But before I go into the details of the day and my experience with the car, let me give you some facts and figures you'll be finding in the brochure for the latest variation of the baby RS model. As mentioned it is offered in both, the Sportback (hatch) and Sedan with a variety of extras and colours that you can customize it in, standout options include for the first time, RS ceramic brakes and the option of semi-slick P Zero Trofeo R tyres from Pirelli. What's under the hood you ask? Well, none other that Audi's award winning 5-cyclinder 2.5-litre turbo-charged motor that produces 294kW and 500Nm of torque. Engaged launch control and the RS 3 propels you from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds! With the Quattro S Tronic gearbox, it fires through the gears giving you optimum performance as you accelerate. The RS 3 has an electronically governed top-speed of 250km/h which can be pushed up should you opt for the RS Performance package.
On the road, the car when driving in comfort mode is very easy to drive, almost as good as the normal A3, the only difference is that the cabin is more sportier and the ride is slightly more stiff, the eco mode does a good job in masking the noise from the performance tail-pipes giving you a smooth and quiet journey but I wasn't here for a long time with the car, just a good time so when the road allowed for it, it was into Dynamic mode and pedal to the metal, the firing sequence in the 5-pot engine is more addictive than any drug in the world, making you just want more and more of it. I had to contain my excitement as I was driving on public roads and knew I would get my opportunity on track a little later but it was great to see that in the real world, the car can be calm and composed when required.
On the track it was time to learn about the driving performance driving modes which can be accessed via the toggle on the middle cluster or a short-cut on the steering wheel via the "RS Performance" button. After doing a few hot laps in RS Dynamic, it was clear to see what a monster they've created. The car was mental as we tore around the tarmac at Zwartkops Raceway, with the back wanted to come out but the Quattro keeping it planted, steering felt very direct and the car I had, came fitted with the ceramic brakes and Pirelli option tyres, it made gripping the apexes like knocked a nail in the corner and turning. Next it was time to test our "RS Performance" driving mode, the more track focused setting that makes the car more stiff and rigid but planted for track use, this was the mode used when setting its lap-time around Nurburgring, that lap time which I might add is exactly the same as set by the first Bugatti Veyron which has a W16 engine with a 1000bhp! So it's just mind-blowing what Audi have managed to achieve with this little 2.5L motor in comparison. Like the description says, for the RS Performance, the car is more settled on the track, you don't get that sway motion and its almost like point and shoot, this is the setting that I felt more settled with while going around a track I had very little knowledge off.
Before the day was over, there was one more party trick the RS 3 had up its wheel arches for us, that was "RS Torque Rear" or "Drift Mode" as everyone seems to call it. Yes, you read right, a four-wheel drive car that can now drift. No, I am not pulling your leg, the RS 3 comes fitted with a torque splitter than enables the car to not only be rear biased but sending almost all its power to either one of the rear wheels, up-to 1750Nm of torque! The engineering behind this is still baffling to me but it works! Having 3-attempts to get it right, it was more challenging than I thought but when you get it right, boy what a feeling it is!
Audi definitely have come up with an unbeatable package in the RS 3, setting the bar high for their rivals in the segment. With the pricing already announced starting at, R1,215,000 for the Sportback and R1,245,000 for the sedan. It really is looking quite attractive for the enthusiast and let me tell you straight after experiencing it properly, this car is worth the hype! With the amount of deliveries already taken over the past week, I can assure each owner has the biggest smile on their face and cannot wait till they're behind the wheel of their car.
No comments:
Post a Comment