A Closer Look at the 2022 Audi RS3
Audi announced the pending delivery of its new sports sedan called the RS3, and with the announcement came invitations to test drive the new release and report on its magnificence and glory. We’re privileged to have a preview of what is to come for the 2022 model year in what we believe to be a new entry into the sports sedan class with a vehicle that could set the bar high for its competition. The Audi RS3 is a vehicle that has piqued our interest to take a closer look.
What we know so far
Audi USA is marketing the new RS3 as a new vehicle with an attitude promising progressive performance to stimulate driver excitement every time you get behind the wheel. They further claim it to be a more intelligent vehicle with greater responsiveness. Audi recently offered a test drive of the vehicle in Athens, Greece as a preview. Jalopnik test drove the new RS3 in a preview run and reports that the new system with its EV focus and a new internal combustion engine with five cylinders is different than any vehicle they’ve ever driven before. The initial reviews are positive with a solid character and a distinctive personality. Getting behind the wheel is a new experience. The car feels different thanks to the unique engineering and the distinctive sound that the car makes when you fire up the engine. The engine of the RS3 is connected to the brand’s torque splitter system that delivers power t the rear wheels. It’s engineered differently than what most people are used to and Audi did things this way to incite emotions in drivers.
Aesthetics
While Audi has not established a tradition of going for sexy aesthetics, they’ve changed things up with the 2022 RS3. The sedan features a clean new look that has a sporty vibe without taking it over the top. The top standout feature at a glance is the giant black grille which serves the dual purpose of giving it a unique aesthetic and enlarging the air intake. It’s somewhat of a futuristic-looking vehicle from the front view. The lines are clean and it’s going to be available in a variety of color choices with bright red, green, or yellow.
Interior
The interior design of the Audi RS3 stands out from the rest of the pack. It’s modern, but it’s filled with a variety of screens and switches for making adjustments and using tech gadgets. They threw simplicity out the window. The cabin is fully loaded with a variety of amenities to make it a more comfortable ride with creature comforts for drivers and passengers. Car and Driver adds that the 2022 Audi RS3 is going to offer the most powerful turbocharged engine and loud sedan of the company’s history in this vehicle. Equipped with a new active exhaust, engineers have achieved a unique sound that will set this model apart from all the rest. It’s one of the things that makes a car so memorable, comparable to the unique sound that a Harley Davidson motorcycle is famous for. We see that happening here with the new RS3. The main drawback we see immediately is the fuel economy. It’s believed that the new Audi RS3 will get approximately 23 miles per gallon on the highway, 19 in the city, and 29 mpg for a combined figure. It’s not the worst we’ve seen at Combined/City/highway: 23/19/28 mpg.
Performance
The torque also received a bump from 354 to 36 9 with the new 2022 version. The engine is matched with an automatic dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox. The estimated performance from zero to sixty is claimed to be 3.8 seconds. While not the fastest car in the world, it will do nicely. The new Audi RS3 is going to be loaded with features including a choice of several drive modes. These will have an impact on the responsiveness of the engine with an intelligent vehicle that offers easy switching from one mode to another. The RS Performance mode is customizable for the driver to adjust the amount of torque that the rear wheels receive. The car will also be equipped with an all-wheel-drive system, firmness of adaptive damper adjustment, and modes that change the feel and weight of the steering. The engineering is so smooth and spot-on that the modes you choose including Individual, Performance, or Torque Rear, reset the chassis and drivetrain to give you total control with intelligent and dynamic handling and performance. Speaking of performance, you’re probably wondering how fast the 2022 Audi RS3 is going to be. That depends on the package you select. The base model is governed to prevent the beast from going above 155, but it will do all of that. The RS Dynamic package is an option that boosts the top speed rating to an amazing 180 mph. This new vehicle will also feature a new premium look that goes over and above previous models. It’s going to come loaded with various technologies including a 12.3-inch instrument cluster that is configurable, a 10.1-inch screen that is built into the dash. Another luxury feature will be the seats with their contrast stitching. All these small details make a difference for anyone who prefers riding in a premium luxury vehicle, or better yet, driving one.
Final thoughts
We don’t know what the price of the new 2022 Audi RS3 will be. We’re assuming that Audi will release the information about that when we get closer to the drop of the new car as it rolls off production lines. It’s expected to become available for purchase in North American at some point in the second quarter of 2022. Until Audi issues another press release, we’ll have to wait with eyes and ears wide open.
