Incoming Audi RS3 bests BMW M2 'ring record
The updated RS3 is imminent. The Nurburgring stopwatch suggests it has moved the game on significantly
As sure as death and taxes, German carmakers are going to vie for stopwatch-based superiority on the Nurburgring. Probably it has less to do with sales these days than it being a badge of honour; especially as setting a lap time is often part of the validation process for performance models. The latest car to radiate under a ‘job done’ lap record is the incoming Audi RS3, which, at the hands of development driver Frank Strippler, arrowed around the Nordschleife in 7:33.123 to retake the top spot in the ‘compact cars’ class.
This is significant for two reasons. Firstly, and no doubt satisfyingly for the team responsible, the latest iteration of the RS3 - which hasn’t been revealed yet - is significantly quicker than the outgoing version. You may recall that in 2021 it too was the record-holder, having bested the Honda Civic Type R by 4 seconds with a 7:40.748 lap. On the basis that there will be no additional power from the inline-five (its output remains 400hp) this obviously says good things about the other changes made to the facelifted model.
Specifically, this is said to be due to the ‘optimised cornering behaviour’ Audi has found in the relationship between the fully variable torque splitter, the stability control, the torque vectoring and the optional adaptive dampers, all of it enhanced by a new modular vehicle dynamics controller. “That was the key to our success,” noted Strippler. “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."
Secondly, by returning to the top of the leaderboard, Audi has pushed its mortal enemy into the silver medal position. Just last year BMW was lauding the new M2 for besting the RS3’s previous time with a 7:38.706 at its Four Cars, One Day event - a significant scalp for the final pure combustion M car. Not that we expect it to spend very long in Audi’s shadow - rumours of a forthcoming CS version (or something very much like it) have been bubbling for months. Like we said: death and taxes.
Been defending the latest RS3 for months on here having actually driven one. Think it’s a fantastic car so the fact it seems to be made better is great news.
I do firmly believe these Nurburgring times are just marketing but it does give some indication of the potential cars have and is good fun.
A few years ago, top gear made a 3 car test with 3 15-20 years old super saloons (including a E63). They decided to set a time using a modern hot hatch (an Astra opc driven by the stig). Result: the Astra was 5-6 seconds faster than any of the saloons, despite having almost half the power (but also half the age)!
These Audi's are superbly fast. But numb. Very Numb. Whilst I didn't own the RS, I did own the S3. Never gelled with it. The wife did,
What's the point of my Lotus ref? Enjoyment. I'm new to Lotus having been Lancer Evo. Both massive enjoyment.
For me, Audi?
NO.
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