By Staff Reporter

The new Audi RS3 has been partially revealed with Audi announcing key performance and power figures. The new 2.5 TFSI powered RS3 now unleashes 500 Nm of torque, 20 Nm more than in the previous model. Power at 294 kW remains unchanged nonetheless the new Audi RS3 sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds (0.3 seconds faster than before). The RS3 Sedan and Sportback reach their top speed at 250 km/h, although 280 km/h is also available as an option. In fact, with the RS Dynamic package and ceramic brakes, they can even reach a top speed of 290 km/h. This makes the RS 3 the best in its class in terms of acceleration and top speed. Delivery power to all wheels is aided by a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Drift my RS3

So, how will you be able to drift your new RS3? You can do it courtesy of a new drift mode known at Audi by its more polished name, RS Torque Rear driving mode. Thanks comes via the RS Torque Splitter which makes active, fully variable torque vectoring between the rear wheels possible. Unlike the rear axle differential and the previous multiple disc clutch package on the rear axle, the torque splitter uses one electronically controlled multiple disc clutch each on the respective drive shaft.

During dynamic driving (on a track), the torque splitter increases the drive torque to the outer rear wheel with the higher wheel load, which significantly reduces the tendency to understeer. In left-hand curves, it transmits the torque to the right rear wheel, in right-hand curves to the left rear wheel, and when driving straight ahead to both wheels. This results in optimal stability and maximum agility – especially when cornering at high speeds. When driving on closed roads, the torque splitter enables controlled drifts by applying all of the engine power to just one of the rear wheels – up to a maximum of 1,750 newton meters of torque. The exact distribution of drive torque always depends on the mode selected in Audi drive select and the respective driving situation.

Each of the two multiple disc clutches has its own control unit, which use the electronic stabilization control’s wheel speed sensors to measure the wheel speeds. Other influencing factors include longitudinal and lateral acceleration, the steering angle, the position of the gas pedal, the selected gear, and the yaw angle, i.e. the rotational movement around the vertical axis. In addition, the torque splitter is connected to the modular vehicle dynamics controller as a higher-level entity.

Quicker lap times

The torque splitter is not only about drifting your RS3 but also aims to improve your driving performance. Due to the difference in propulsive forces, the car turns into the curve even better and follows the steering angle more precisely. This results in less understeer, earlier and faster acceleration when exiting corners, and particularly precise and agile handling – for added safety in everyday use and faster lap times on the racetrack. The torque splitter also compensates for oversteer by directing the torque to the wheel on the inside of the curve or, if necessary, to both wheels.