Watch as the new Audi RS3 saloon breaks the Nurburgring lap record for a compact production car with a 7:40 lap after RenaultSport had held the record for two years.
Remember when the Honda Civic Type R FK8 came out? That, and then later the RenaultSport Megane Trophy-R traded blows as one went faster than the other. Renault had the last laugh and took the bragging rights back to France and has kept a hold of them for two years with a 7:45.29 lap, until now. There’s a new kid on the block and you can watch the lap below.
New Audi RS3 saloon & hatchback figures
Producing 394bhp and 369lb ft (up 15 lb ft) from its 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine and mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, 0-62mph comes about in 3.8 seconds while top speed is limited to 155mph, with an optional 174mph limiter with the standard brakes or 180mph with carbon ceramics.
For the man behind the wheel, Frank Stippler, Audi’s advancements with its chassis is what has helped propel the new Audi RS3 saloon to the top of the compact car list. The car’s new torque splitter allows the rear differential to split power to either of the rear wheels, allowing for a car that is much more agile and much happier to rotate.
There is one thing that Audi cannot steal from RenaultSport with this new lap record, and that’s the front-wheel drive record, which will remain in the hands of Renault. As you well know, the new Audi RS3 continues with the Quattro all-wheel drive system.
It’s also worth noting that the obligatory roll cage inside and a set of sticky Pirelli Trofeo R semi-slick tyres were the only modifications carried out on the car for the lap record.
