Five Alive: 2022 Audi RS 3 packs nearly 400 hp in a tidy package

All of us who were fretting that the next Audi RS 3 would bin its tasty five-cylinder engine in favour of a turbo-four or (gasp!) a hybrid powertrain can rest easy. Ingolstadt says the 2022 RS 3 will pack a 2.5L inline-five under its hood, boosted to about 400 horsepower and ripping to highway speeds in less than four seconds.

This is excellent news. In an industry always looking for cost savings, the temptation to grab a higher-volume engine off the company corporate shelf is always tempting. Audi says the latest the engine is now more powerful than ever before, reaching a top speed of 280 km/h when equipped with the RS Dynamic package. Fortunately, that spec is also available with ceramic brakes.

The level of thrust is partially explained by the high horsepower number, but it’s also down to 368 lb-ft of torque, all of which is online from 2250 to 5600 rpm. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission puts power to pavement, accompanied by short shifting times and a sportier gear ratio spread. The engine’s unique 1-2-4-5-3 ignition sequence provides an incomparable sound and, for the first time, the exhaust system features a fully variable flap control system that supports intermediate positions. This will further broaden its sound characteristics and surely leave drivers grinning from ear-to-ear.

RS 3 is also the first Audi to comes standard-equipped with a torque splitter, replacing the rear diff and last-gen’s multiple disc clutch package on the rear axle. Instead, an electronically controlled multi-disc clutch is used on each of the drive shafts. This ensures the right amount of torque is optimally distributed along the rear axle. During dynamic driving, the torque splitter increases drive torque to the outer rear wheel with a higher wheel load, significantly reducing the tendency to understeer. This is also the tech that makes controlled drifts possible — on a closed course, natch.

Newly-developed six-piston brakes are standard, with the aforementioned ceramic brake system measuring a platter-like 380mm up front as an option. A variety of caliper colours are on offer for those who care about such things, but it must be said those options play well with RS 3’s tweaked styling. In the front, the wide RS bumper with the brand’s so-called Singleframe grille has been fettled to look angrier, and large air intakes give the thing an expressive appearance. There is also a new design element behind the front wheel arches in the form of an eye-catching additional air outlet. Overall track dimensions have been increased compared to the old car, giving the new RS 3 a rough-n-ready stance. By the way: Audi will mount Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R performance semi-slick tires if desired, the first time it has done so.

Inside, look for a typically Audi interior — which is to say sumptuous and well-crafted. A new RS button has been added to the steering wheel for personalized driver settings, while various and sundry other RS-only touches abound like a 12 o’clock steering wheel stripe and special styling accents. The tasty Virtual Cockpit is present and accounted for, as is a jumbo infotainment touchscreen. A neat addition is the inclusion of a new RS Runway design for the gauge cluster, where speed values are displayed in a manner that visually resembles an airplane runway with high speeds in the foreground and low speeds in the background. Who says Germans don’t know how to have fun?

Interested? Yeah, us too. Audi says the new RS 3 will be available in the Canadian marketplace later this year as a 2022 model. Pricing will be announced closer to its on-sale date.