Test: Audi RS 3

The Audi RS 3 has been delighting fans of exceptional mechanics since 2011. While other compact sports cars on the market are satisfied with four-cylinder engines, the German remains faithful to its famous five-cylinder in-line turbo which was already featured on the monstrous cars of rally of the brand in the 1980s. The modern version of this block obviously produces copious performances, but it is above all its sound that makes everyone shiver: we long remember our first ride in the RS 3 on a mountain pass. , the very particular timbre of “five legs” deep in the eardrums.

Unfortunately, this musical pleasure never lasted too long, the fault of a much too soft chassis tuning which required the rhythm to be quickly relaxed: the very first RS 3 understeered like a cow in extreme driving and despite more rigorous behavior , the second generation still pulled a lot on its front axle while quickly destroying its brakes.

Gone is the nice Haldex

The all-new third-generation RS 3 retains the same engine as the old one, with identical power of 400 horsepower and torque that climbs to 500 Nm at peak (compared to 480 previously). However, it hides a real revolution between the rear wheels: the Haldex all-wheel drive, this system favoring the front driven wheels which until now equipped the RS 3 (and which we still find on the S3 or the RS Q3), leaves room for much more sophisticated architecture. Using the pair of multi-disc clutches from the latest Volkswagen Golf R and other Cupra Formentor VZ5s, it can vary from 0 to 100% the torque transmitted to the rear axle from one wheel to the other. This principle, inaugurated by the latest generation Ford Focus RS and taken up by the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, in theory allows you to transform a compact sports car into a real tire smoker. So, has this RS 3 which frustrated us so much at the limit finally got loose?

Even watered down by the latest standards which limit noise and now prohibit backfiring in the exhaust, this five-cylinder alone makes the driving experience unique. It's quite stupid to say, but driving constantly with such accompaniment of sound and such a refined engine makes you happy, including in traffic jams and in all the moments when driving a car does not bring anything exciting. And as the RS 3 also offers an excellent level of comfort with the optional controlled damping of our test model (1200 euros), as well as generous rear seats, there is everything to make this compact family car the perfect family car. every day. Efficiency mode activated, it even drops below 10 liters per 100 km on the highway where its large engine becomes completely silent.

Very supervised skiing

Once on the Mont Ventoux road in Dynamic mode, you happily feel the effect of the technical changes. At least as fast in a straight line as the old model – Audi announces a 0 to 100 km/h in 3”8 with the optional semi-slick tires! – the RS 3 finally shows itself to be exciting in the corners. You always have to deal with a somewhat heavy front axle, the fault of this engine which inevitably adds weight to the nose. However this time, the machine no longer wallows in primary understeer when driving sportily. Progressive at the limit, it uses its rear axle to pivot and seems much less locked than the old one. Depending on the angle of the steering wheel and the profile of the turn, it still refuses to give you full power even when all the driving aids are disconnected.

For it to start sliding, you have to mash the accelerator as soon as possible and don't let go. The rear transmission then operates its clutches and we come out of the pins with a nice counter-steering ladle. RS Torque Rear mode engaged (available as an option only, be careful!), it will also be possible to maintain magnificent smoking drifts, always on condition of keeping the right pedal firmly glued to the floor. As on a Formentor VZ5, this not very natural process requires understanding the instructions. However, once you understand how it works, you can enjoy rolling it through the doors and the operation requires relatively little work at the wheel.

The formidable Mercedes-AMG A45 S, with its 4 horsepower 421-cylinder and equally sophisticated all-wheel drive, seemed even more agile and efficient in sporty driving (you will have to compare the two cars to be sure) . But with such driving character and dynamic tuning that finally holds up, the RS 3 looks a lot like the versatile sports car of our dreams. Take advantage, these character mechanics are experiencing their last years of marketing…

Verdict

To the extraordinary engine noise and straight-line performance, the new Audi RS 3 finally adds pleasant dynamic behavior in extreme driving. A good all-rounder, this machine with its precious mechanics embodies in its own way the ideal versatile sports car.