Race and development driver Frank Stippler from Audi Sport set a offical lap time of 7:33.123 minutes with the new Audi RS 3- pre-production vehicle on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. 

According to Audi, the optimized cornering behavior allows the new RS 3 to become more agile earlier and more controlled. "That was the key to success," says Frank Stippler.

"The new RS 3, thanks to fine-tuning – including Brake Torque Vectoring – is more willing to turn in at the corner entry, allowing the car to be positioned better and earlier for the corner exit at the latest by the apex. The result is a smaller steering angle from apex to corner exit, leading to less friction and earlier acceleration. This way, you carry more momentum and speed onto each following straight."

Audi reveals that the basis for the high driving dynamics is the interplay of the torque splitter with its fully variable torque distribution between the rear wheels, the electronic stabilization control, the wheel-selective torque control (Brake Torque Vectoring), and the optional adaptive dampers of the RS sport suspension. The modular driving dynamics controller now networks the data of all components relevant to lateral dynamics even more sensitively thanks to a further developed algorithm.

According to Audi, the legendary five-cylinder engine still delivers the power with 400 PS and 500 Nm of torque. In combination with the semi-slick Pirelli "P Zero Trofeo R" tires, the 19-inch ceramic brake system, the RS sports suspension with adaptive damper control, and the optimized chassis setup, the 2.5 TFSI now drives the RS 3 even more energetically through corners – accompanied by its distinct throaty roar due to the typical firing order of 1-2-4-5-3.

All the official times that have been set so far can be seen here in our YouTube playlist.