Between the curves and straights of Mugello, to test the racing soul of the new Audi RS 3. There could perhaps be no better asphalt than that of the track, in particular that of the Tuscan circuit on which we spent an afternoon, to put at ease the latest version of the compact super sports car from the house of the Four Rings.
Considered a benchmark in the category in terms of performance and driving pleasure, between an Arrabbiata and a San Donato curve, a straight where you can push the accelerator hard and a few pins placed to trace the best trajectories, the 5-cylinder TFSI from 400 hp and 500 Nm of torque is in its natural habitat.
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Audi RS 3, the 'bad' compact at the Mugello test
Among the curbs of the Mugello circuit, which is one of the most technical and demanding tracks in the motorsport panorama, it is a pleasure to bring the RS 3 to the maximum, or nearly so, of its performance.
From them Casanova-Savelli, the very fast Arrabbiata 1 and 2, where the feeling with the car is essential to better manage the variable radius of the curves, and, again, the Correntaio hairpin, the trajectory changes of the Biondetti and the interminable Bucine, the RS 3, best seller of the Audi Sport family, expresses its full potential.
The new generation of the compact high performance is the most performing ever thanks to the iconic 5-cylinder 2.5 TFSI with 400 HP, to the performances that speak of a 0 to 100 km / h in 3.8 seconds and up to 290 km / h of full speed.
The RS torque splitter technology takes care of everything, which guarantees the active and totally variable distribution of torque between the rear wheels, making reactivity, directional rigor and tendency to oversteer never so marked.
On the occasion of the event on the track, the RS 3 speed tests were fitted with Pirelli tires, technical partner of the Tuscan event and first, with the P Zero Trofeo R 'racers' (available on request as original equipment from the third quarter of 2022 for new Audi RS 3).
To spice up the experience on the track and by virtue of the 1-2-4-5-3 ignition sequence of the cylinders, the sound of the RS 3 is unmistakable.
The effect is also amplified by a technical innovation: for the first time, the exhaust system is equipped with fully variable valve management, so as to allow partial openings that enhance the tone of the 2.5 TFSI.
The sound is also affected by the driving programs selected via Audi drive select.
In dynamic, RS Performance and RS Torque Rear modes, for example, the valves open well in advance.
On request, the RS sports exhaust is also available for the compact 'bad'.
