Software is a powerful tool. In the right hands, this can mean a lot more power without much effort. A simple $1,200 reprogramming on this 2017 Audi RS3 unlocked 100 extra horsepower and quicker shifts, putting it almost on par with its larger, more expensive sibling, the RS7 Performance.
The little Audi now makes 500 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque from its 2.5-liter turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine. That’s a big improvement over the original 400 hp it produced, but it’s still well below the output of the RS7, which has an untuned 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine making 630 hp and 626 lb-ft of twist. .
Both cars come with all-wheel drive, although they are different systems. The RS3 features a transversely mounted engine, while the RS7’s engine is positioned longitudinally. The RS7 is also 1,223 pounds heavier, leveling the playing field between the two Audis.
While the RS7 won the first drag race, the RS3 won the second, culminating in a third race where the RS7 emerged as the ultimate winner…but not by much. The larger Audi completed the quarter-mile run in 11.3 seconds, while the tuned RS3 was right behind it with a time of 11.5 seconds.
Millions of lines of code keep everything from the infotainment system to fuel delivery running smoothly, and updated code can unlock additional perks. $1,200 isn’t cheap, but it’s a simple way to squeeze extra performance out of a car without needing to remove tools and install new hardware.
