RS-3 at a Glance

Powered by Audi’s renowned five-cylinder engine, the 2025 RS 3 is rated at 394 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. From a standstill it reaches 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. When equipped with the Dynamic plus package, drivers get an increased top track speed of 180 mph (+25 mph from standard 155 mph top track speed).

First introduced in the 1976 Audi 100 (C2), Audi’s five-cylinder engine is central to the brand’s celebrated history in motorsports and engineering. The RS 3 represents the closest production car to the Sport Quattro S2, which was also powered by a five-cylinder engine and was the first Audi race car to use a dual clutch transmission.

Dynamic Driving

The innovative RS Torque Splitter enables active and fully variable torque vectoring between the rear wheels. This system uses electronically controlled multi-disc clutches on each driveshaft, with each clutch having its own electronic control unit. When cornering, the RS Torque Splitter increases drive torque to the outside wheel, significantly reducing understeer. For example, when cornering left, the system directs delivery of torque to the right rear wheel.

The operation of this system is guided by several factors, including longitudinal and lateral acceleration, steering angle, throttle position, current gear, and yaw angle. The Torque splitter is fully integrated into the RS 3’s five distinct drive select options, adjusting rear wheel torque distribution based upon selected mode as well as driving behavior.

Also aiding the driving dynamics of the RS 3 is the RS sport suspension plus with dynamic chassis control (DCC). This system is continuously and individually adjusted based on various road conditions and driving situations, as well as by which Audi drive mode is active. As the RS 3 progresses along varying road conditions, the suspension’s damping force is calculated within milliseconds through height sensors measuring the vertical acceleration of the body, and relative movement of the wheels. While in RS Performance mode, the suspension system is specifically tuned to minimize vertical oscillations and optimize lateral dynamics, leading to a more controlled ride experience and improved cornering capabilities relative to the previous model year.

“It was through these fine-tuning enhancements and increased dynamic capabilities that the RS 3 has once again etched its name in history as a record lap holder on the Nurburgring-Nordschleife in the compact segment, breaking its previous 2021 record by more than seven seconds,” Audi said.