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Why Performance Mod the Audi RS3?

January 21, 2019

Why Performance Mod the Audi RS3

Hero Image Credit: abt-sportsline.com

The Audi RS3 is a tough vehicle to beat. With a zero-to-100 kph time of just 4.1 seconds and with a top speed of 250 kph (155 mph), this car is quicker and faster than most vehicles that you’ll encounter on the road. For this reason, some argue that there is no need to modify the RS3 because it is already so powerful, and they have a point. However, it is also important to note that most of the people who have chosen to performance-tune their Audi RS3s are very happy that they did so, e.g. Iain Litchfield with his 500-bhp Audi RS3. So, let’s see why the idea of performance-modding the RS3 is worth exploring.   

An Excellent Platform

Firstly, let’s consider what the Audi RS3 has to offer as it is. It is driven by a 2.5-litre TFSI® inline 5-cylinder engine rated to deliver 294 kW (400 horsepower) at 5850 – 7000 rpm and 480 Nm (354.0 lb.-ft.) of torque at 1700 - 5850 rpm. This engine requires just 4.1 seconds to propel this car from zero to 100 kph, and it pairs with an enhanced, smooth-shifting 7-speed ‘S-tronic’ dual-clutch transmission. Power/torque is disbursed to an intelligent Quattro® all-wheel drive system. Despite delivering such explosive power, this car’s engine achieves a fuel economy of 8.4 L/100 km in combined driving, which is one of the best fuel economy ratings that you can get from high-performance cars of this calibre. In terms of suspension, this car comes equipped with an RS sport suspension system that utilises MacPherson struts with steel lower wishbones, aluminium pivot bearings, and an aluminium subframe in the front. In the rear, it utilises a 4-link rear suspension with a separate spring/shock absorber arrangement with aluminium wheel carriers. Tubular anti-roll bars have also been utilised in both the front and the rear. Also standard in the Audi RS3 is an RS sport exhaust system with large oval exhaust outlets that do a great job of sharpening and amplifying the roar of the fiery 5-cylinder engine; it even belts out pops and growls that sound awesome.

Three Key Reasons Why You Ought to Performance Mod the Audi RS3

1. To Make it Different from the Rest/ To Make it Reflect Your Driving Passion

It’s great to have a limited-production high-performance car like the Audi RS3, but it’s even more satisfying to make it unique; to give it a different character and capabilities that are unlike those of other RS3s that you may encounter on the road. In making the Audi RS3 a reflection of you and your driving passion, you are going to enjoy driving this car all the more.

3. To Get the Most Out of Your Investment

With a base price of over $80,000, the Audi RS3 is quite pricy. If you are going to spend that much money on it, you might as well perfect it as best you can through modding, to get the most out of your investment. If you’re going to spend big bucks, then why have certain aspects of the car that do not meet your aspirations?

3. To Maximize Its Performance Potential

If the Audi RS3 is outstanding just as it is, imagine how awesome it would become with some tuning. The folks at Audi did an exemplary job with this car. It responds very well to ECU tuning and also to performance mods. So, with the right mods, you can transfer this car into a monster.

Why Performance Mod the Audi RS3 To Maximize Its Performance Potential

Image Credit: carmagazine.co.uk

More Power:

In stock form, the RS3’s 2.5-litre TFSI® inline 5-cylinder engine delivers 400 horsepower, but it can deliver even up to 460 horsepower with just an ECU tune. If you just add a bigger aftermarket intercooler and a higher spec air filter, this engine’s output can spike even up to 500 horsepower. This is because a higher spec air filter will ensure that more air gets to the engine, and a bigger intercooler will do a better job of cooling compressed air from the engine’s turbocharger. This is sure to achieve significant power increments. Another thing that you can do to crank up the power in the Audi RS3 without spending much is getting it a more aggressive aftermarket exhaust system setup, made using lighter materials e.g. titanium. A lighter exhaust system is sure to improve the performance and handling of the RS3; you can achieve a power increase of up to 10 horsepower with the right exhaust system setup. An aftermarket exhaust system is also sure to give the engine a louder and raspier exhaust note.   

Better Handling:  

The RS3’s suspension setup is awesome, but dropping it a tad using lowering springs is sure to improve its stability and aesthetic appeal (it will get rid of the wheel gap that the stock RS3 features). The lowering springs that you buy are also sure to have higher spring rates than those of the stock springs, so you are also sure to get better handling. You can also opt for a coilover setup; it may be more expensive, but it will give you the benefit of being able to adjust your car’s ride height at will. You should also consider getting a better set of wheels and tires, as they may also help to improve the RS3’s handling. 

Brakes:

When you start thinking about cranking up the power of the Audi RS3, you should consider upgrading its brakes. The RS3 utilizes 370x34 mm disk brakes with 19-inch 8-piston fixed calipers in the front and 310x22 mm disc brakes with 17-inch single-piston floating calipers in the rear. One way to go about upgrading this car’s brakes is by getting superior brake pads and bigger aftermarket disc brakes. This is going to improve the stopping capability of the car. 

After performance-modding your Audi RS3, you should also consider getting some non-performance mods to improve its aerodynamics and look. We at AusBody Works have top-quality front splitters, side skirts, rear spoilers, rear diffusers, and even full body kits for the Audi RS3. All our non-performance mods for this car have been sourced from reputable vendors, and they are affordably priced. 


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