We’re not too far off from seeing the facelifted Audi RS3, and while we’re not expecting the car itself to deliver too many surprises, we’re nevertheless rather impressed by the display it’s just put on around the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
In the hands of Audi development driver Frank Stippler, a pre-production version of the littlest member of the RS family has just put in a 7min 33.123sec lap of the 12.9-mile course. For reference, that’s in the same ballpark as the BMW M8 Competition and Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT. And this thing’s based on a Golf.
This is more than five seconds faster than the previous record holder in the Nürburgring’s compact car class, the BMW M2, which managed a 7min 38.706sec lap last year.
Surprisingly, none of this remarkable turn of pace comes from extra power. Audi has confirmed that the updated RS3 will pack the same 395bhp and 369lb ft of torque from its 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder as before.
Instead, Stippler puts the time down to fine-tuning of the RS3’s chassis and electronic systems: “The new RS 3 turns in more willingly at corner entry thanks to fine-tuning – including brake torque vectoring – which allows the vehicle to be positioned earlier and better for corner exit from the apex, at the latest.
“The result is a lower steering angle from apex to corner exit, which leads to less friction and earlier acceleration, allowing you to carry more momentum and speed onto each subsequent straight.” You’re the racing driver, Frank – we’ll take your word for it.
The Audi RS3 development team looking happy with their lap time
The new model will carry over the definitely-not-a-drift-mode torque splitter function that’s also found its way onto the new S3, as well as 19-inch ceramic brakes, and optional adaptive suspension and ultra-racy Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R rubber. It’ll go on sale at the end of August, as either a saloon or Sportback hatch, by which point we’ll have seen it shorn of its camo wrap.