Key Takeaways
- Pre-production Audi RS 3 Sedan shatters BMW M2’s record at the Nürburgring.
- The Audi lapped the Green Hell in 7:33.123 minutes – more than five seconds quicker than the M2.
- Outgoing RS 3 set a lap time of 7:38.706 minutes, which suggests significant changes are coming with the facelift model.
Audi has set a new lap record on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, with a pre-production version of the upcoming RS 3 facelift securing its status as the fastest compact car to race around the fearsome Green Hell. With racing driver Frank Stippler at the wheel, the RS 3 lapped the circuit in 7:33.123 minutes, besting the previous record held by the BMW M2 by more than five seconds.
2024 Audi RS3
- Base MSRP
- $62,300
- Engine
- 2.5L Turbo Inline-5 Gas
- Horsepower
- 401 hp
- Fuel Economy
- 19/29 MPG
Less than a year ago, the G87 M2 stole the record from the pre-facelift RS 3 with a lap time of 7:38.706. That was already more than two seconds quicker than the outgoing RS 3 (7:40.748), showing how much work has gone into the facelifted model.
Audi RS 3 Beats BMW M2 With Less Power
So what has changed? Not the engine, for a start. The sonorous 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine develops 394 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Interestingly, that’s less power and torque than its Bavarian rival. However, outright power isn’t the only thing that counts on the Nürburgring. Handling is important, too, and on that front, Audi has delivered.
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The improved lap time is undoubtedly down to the Pirelli P Zero R semi-slick tires, RS sports suspension with (optional) adaptive damper control, and ceramic brakes. The RS 3 also receives updated chassis tuning to make it even more thrilling in the bends. Audi’s little firecracker also receives fully variable torque distribution, brake torque vectoring, and a module vehicle dynamics controller that connects the data from all lateral dynamics-related components.
“The new RS 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.”
– Frank Stippler, Audi Sport racing and development driver.
The New RS 3 Sedan Is Coming Soon
Audi says the RS 3 will be available to order from late August, with the first examples reaching dealerships in October. This suggests that the updated RS 3 will debut in the next few weeks. We expect local pricing to be slightly higher than the outgoing model, which retails for $62,300.
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The Volkswagen Group has overhauled several of its compact cars this year. The Golf 8.5 arrived earlier this year along with the GTI, and the new Golf 8.5 R will soon debut with 328 hp. Audi has also introduced an updated A3, with the S3 appearing a few months later. As for the Nürburgring record, it will be interesting to see if the newly facelifted BMW M2 (now with even more power) can reclaim its title from the RS 3 Sedan. We’re guessing the boffins working at BMW M are already preparing their assault on the Green Hell.
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