Audi has not yet presented the updated RS 3, but has already reported on its remarkable dynamic qualities: the model has returned to the first line of the list of the most fastest Nurburgring cars in the Compact cars class: Audi Sport factory driver Frank Stippler, driving the updated Audi RS 3 sports sedan, “flew” the Nordschleife in 7 minutes 33.123 seconds.
The current generation Audi RS 3 (for the “er-esque” it is the third, for the Audi A3 and Audi S3 it is the fourth) debuted in July 2021, its career began just with the Nurburgring record: on June 14 of the same year, Frank Stippler in a camouflaged The pre-production Audi RS 3 sedan drove through the Nordschleife in 7 minutes 40.748 seconds. On April 5, 2023, this record was broken by Jörg Weidinger driving the latest generation BMW M2 G87, his time was 7 minutes 38.706 seconds.
1/4 
2/4 
3/4 
4/4
The BMW M2 has a power advantage: its 3.0-liter S58 inline twin-turbo petrol engine in 2023 year produced 460 hp. and 550 Nm, and during a recent update its output was increased to 480 hp. and 600 Nm.
The EA855 evo 3-row petrol turbo-five installed under the hood of the Audi RS with a displacement of 2.5 liters is noticeably weaker — 400 hp. and 500 Nm (on the performance edition versions — 407 hp and 500 Nm), but the Ingolstadt sports car has the advantage of all-wheel drive (the BMW M2 is only rear-wheel drive), and not just a simple one, but with two individual clutches in the drive of the rear wheels , allowing you to literally screw the car into turns.
1/6 
2/6 
3/6 
4/6 
5/6 
6/6
In today's press release dedicated to the new Nurburgring record, Audi said that the updated RS 3 will not become more powerful: the base engine output will remain at 400 hp. and 500 Nm, but a retuned chassis allowed the car to become faster. The control electronics have been mainly updated, which more coherently controls all vehicle systems. Frank Stippler, in particular, claims that the new algorithm for vectoring the braking torque allows you to reduce speed earlier before a turn and more accurately position yourself on the ideal trajectory, while the driver needs to turn the steering wheel less — accordingly, losses due to fidgeting are reduced, and the lap speed increases.
1/3 
2/3 
3/3
The updated Audi RS 3 sedan, in which Frank Stippler drove the Nordschleife in 7 minutes 33.123 seconds, was equipped with optional adaptive shock absorbers, carbon-ceramic brakes and Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick tires, which are very grippy on dry asphalt. Just like three years ago, the car ironed the Nordschleife in camouflage, but not too aggressive coloring: it is already clear that the Audi RS 3 received a new bumper design and new LED optics. Audi promises to talk about other changes on August 20, when the premiere of the updated RS 3 will take place. The hatchback and sedan will remain in the range, but for record-breaking races on the Nurburgring, a sedan is used — it has aerodynamics more suitable for this track. The updated Audi RS 3 will go on sale in October.
We would like to add that the regular Audi A3 was restyled in March, and in April the updated junior sports hatchback and Audi S3 sedan with a 2.0-liter gasoline turbo engine (333 hp and 420 Nm) were presented.
The updated BMW M2 premiered last week — perhaps the increased power will allow it to break the new record of the Audi RS 3.