The new Audi RS3 has lapped the Nürburgring in 7m 40.7s

In entirely unsurprising news, Audi has revealed that its brand new RS3 has lapped the Nürburgring in 7m 40.748s, which is 4.64s faster than the Renault Megane RS Trophy R; the car previously known as The Fastest Small-Ish Car Around That Place.

So, fast 4WD small-ish car turns out to be faster than a fast 2WD small-ish car. Indeed, the only stuff quicker than the new Audi RS3 around That Place are things like Porsche 911s and Lamborghinis and AMGs and M5s and GT-Rs and so on. As we mentioned in our reveal story, this RS3 democratises Fast like no other RS3 before it. Well, if you’ve got £52k at least.

Audi racing and development driver Frank Stippler explained that only the tyre pressures on the RS3 saloon were adjusted for the attempt, on the now-optional Pirelli P Zero ‘Trofeo R’ semi-slicks. As you well know, the new RS3 features something called a ‘Torque Splitter’, which distributes the torque across the rear axle to increase high-speed agility. 

This also means a Drift Mode, which wasn't used for the lap time, because oversteer isn't fast. But it does sell cars...

The RS3’s technical project leader Marvin Schwätter said: “When we started development, we didn’t know just how quickly our compact sportscar would really be on the Nordschleife.” It was only after considerable endurance testing that they came to realise, ‘yeah, it’s fast’.

Outside of its Nürburgring heroics – remember, it’s now on roughly the same time as a Lamborghini Murcielago – it’ll do 0-62mph in 3.8s and top out at 180mph. Prices start at £50,900 for the hatch and £51,900 for the saloon.

Begs the question: can you go faster for less?