On tour in the Audi RS 3 Sportback

Germans - and not just the fans of Italy among them - love Lake Garda. Palm trees, pizza and the promenade by the water are within reach. Now in winter there is the opportunity to explore the quiet side of Italy's largest lake. Free travel on the gardesana, one of the dream streets of Europe. Without creeping queues of motorhomes, you can really let it crash here with the Audi RS3 Sportback. Shortly after Riva the first stone black gorge opens on the way to the southern tip of the lake. A step on the accelerator and the concentrated power of 367 hp pushes you into the seat and into the dark. The rumble of the Ingolstadt five-cylinder turbo gasoline engine with a displacement of 2,5 liters begins in the walls of the first of the 78 tunnels and penetrates back through the side window, which is slightly open. In just 4,3 seconds, the high-performance athlete sprints from zero to 100 km / h under the Audis. The torque of 465 Newton meters is already at 1625 revolutions per minute, which puts the RS 3 in the performance range of a Porsche Carrera. But now only 80 km / h are allowed and the daylight shimmers again at the back. If necessary and of course in a completely different location, the RS 3 accelerates to a regulated 250 km / h, and if you then make more money, Audi also opens the five-door car up to 280 km / h. The question of whether it makes sense or nonsense to equip a compact vehicle with so much horsepower can best be answered on a route like this.

Stoically sticks the RS3 on the asphalt band

In the curve of the Gardesana OccidentaleAs the road along the western shore of Lake Garda is also called, the powerhouse stays calm when braking before the bend, when turning in and when accelerating. The stern remains as if on rails, nothing breaks out. Stoically and safely, the chassis and all-wheel drive let the five-man stick to the asphalt strip. However, bumps in the road surface are passed on directly inwards without any ifs or buts. The disadvantage of the 25 millimeter draft compared to the “normal” A3. Even in the Comfort position, the RS 3 remains one of the tightly tuned Audis. How tight is shown when the Dynamic mode is called up via the Drive Select system, in which the steering, engine control and the appropriate sound are really pointed. Nothing for every day, but for special ones like these and roads on which the RS 3 is now on the move. It has everything that makes a Quattro strong: Split here and there, sometimes damp, sometimes wet and dry again. Basically good for a nasty surprise at any time, but nothing that really upsets our Audi. You can literally hear the pleasure of the machine when, after the sprint on a short straight, hoarse double-declutching thrusts underline the braking and gear changes of the seven-speed S-tronic. Incidentally, there is no manual transmission for the RS 3, neither for money nor for good words. Optional ceramic brakes, which prove to be absolutely stable and biting at all times in continuous use.

Bella Macchina: Italians have an eye for beautiful cars

On the eastern shore of the lake, the land is now expanding. In comfort mode, the steering and accelerator pedal react more calmly to the commands, while the speed and decibel levels have calmed down. The driving speed also falls in the direction of resting pulse. On the pebble beach of Torbole the audience in fur and down jacket acknowledged the right of way of the car with the honeycomb radiator grille with Quattro lettering, the meaningful two end pots and the spoiler lip above the rear window with benevolent views of the "bella macchina". Italians have an eye for beautiful cars. The Audi RS 3 costs at least 53 500 Euro. A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is standard equipment.

Technical data and consumption in everyday life

Text: Solveig Grewe, Photos: Jacopo Salvi, Indoors: Audi