401bhp Audi RS 3 Performance Edition Revealed - Faster & Louder Hot Hatch Limited To Just 300 Units

German luxury carmaker Audi has revealed the RS 3 Performance Edition hot hatchback. The Audi RS 3 Performance Edition is louder, faster and limited to just 300 units worldwide.

German luxury carmaker Audi has revealed the RS 3 Performance Edition hot hatchback. The Audi RS 3 Performance Edition is limited to just 300 units worldwide.

401bhp Audi RS 3 Performance Edition Revealed

Audi RS 3 Performance Edition Specs

The Audi RS 3 Performance Edition is louder, faster and more powerful than the 'standard' hot hatchback. The 2.5-litre turbocharged inline-5 cylinder engine produces 401bhp (6bhp over the regular RS 3) between 5,700 and 7,000rpm and 500Nm (unchanged) between 2,250 and 5,700rpm.

401bhp Audi RS 3 Performance Edition Revealed

As always, power is sent to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Audi's quattro all-wheel drive setup. While the sprint from 0-100km/h remains unchanged at 3.8 seconds, the top speed of the RS 3 Performance has risen to 300km/h (the regular RS 3 can hit 290km/h).

401bhp Audi RS 3 Performance Edition Revealed

To ensure that you hear the soundtrack of the turbocharged 2.5-litre inline 5-cylinder engine with its distinctive 1-2-4-5-3 firing sequence, Audi has fitted the RS 3 Performance Edition with a customized version of the standard RS sports exhaust system.

This new custom system features a modified center silencer and the flap for the variable exhaust flap now opens up even further (even when stationary) to let more of the sound through to the outside world.

401bhp Audi RS 3 Performance Edition Revealed

The Audi RS 3 Performance Edition gets the firm's RS sports suspension setup with adaptive damper control as standard. This system continuously and individually adjusts each shock absorber to the road conditions, the driving situation, and the driving mode selected.

401bhp Audi RS 3 Performance Edition Revealed

The RS 3 Performance Edition also sports RS Torque Splitter which enhances stability in low traction situations like wet roads while also increasing agility and reducing understeer when you start pushing your limited run RS 3 through a drift or accelerating out of a corner.

This is achieved through two electronically controlled multi-plate clutches that can send as much as 50 per cent of the 500Nm of torque to the rear wheels.

401bhp Audi RS 3 Performance Edition Revealed

The Audi RS 3 rides on 19-inch cast aluminium wheels finished in matte dark grey that are exclusive to the model and come shod with semi-slick Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres -265/35 on the front axle, 245/35 on the rear - as standard. These semi-slick tyres provide excellent grip in dry conditions, increasing stability and lateral grip.

Braking duties on the RS 3 Performance Edition are handled by 380mm discs at the front (with six-piston callipers) and 310mm units at the rear.

401bhp Audi RS 3 Performance Edition Revealed

Audi RS 3 Performance Edition Design & Features

The Audi RS 3 Performance Edition sports a host of design tweaks, equipment and features to help differentiate it from the standard car.

401bhp Audi RS 3 Performance Edition Revealed

These include the blacked out Audi rings and RS badges and the motorsports-style wheels along with the LED headlights which displays the chequered flag on the passenger side and the "3-0-0" on the driver side to tell the world about the car's top speed and the limited number of units.

When running, both the left and right right DRLs are lit up in the shape of a chequered flag. When you close the RS3 Performance Edition, the driver's side DRL switches to "R-S-3".

401bhp Audi RS 3 Performance Edition Revealed

Step inside the RS 3 Performance Edition and you'll find even more changes that showcase this special limited-run car. The Audi RS 3 Performance Edition gets bucket seats as standard along with RS logos for the seats and floor mats.

401bhp Audi RS 3 Performance Edition Revealed

Upholstery for the special edition car is mostly black with a few blue contrast elements on the door cards and the 12'o clock marker on the steering wheel. The seatbelts are also finished in blue as is the contrast stitching seen on various sections of the cabin. Also seen is a carbon fibre decorative inlay on the passenger side with the badge "1 of 300."

401bhp Audi RS 3 Performance Edition Revealed

Thoughts About The Audi RS 3 Performance Edition

The Audi RS 3 Performance Edition is the most powerful version of Ingolstadt's bonkers hot hatchback and with a top speed of 300km/h it will leave most supercars in a daze on the Autobahn.

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Read more on: #audi #mena #auto news
Article Published On: Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 16:32 [IST]
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