With its Quattro all-wheel-drive system, 400 horsepower, luxurious features, and a five-cylinder engine, the new Audi RS3 exemplifies a stellar sports sedan. Now, nearly a year after its launch in the United States, tuning shops are unlocking impressive power from its 2.5-liter TFSI engine.
APR, a Volkswagen tuner from Alabama, showcased one of its most powerful RS3 upgrades on its YouTube channel. The vehicle consistently achieved quarter-mile times around 9.9 seconds. Owner Keith Brantley completed eight runs under 10 seconds, with the quickest being a 9.83-second run at 144 mph. For context, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, a leading name in quarter-mile performances, claims a 9.54-second time, yet many owners report results comparable to the RS3.
It’s important to note that Brantley’s vehicle is not the same as the APR RS3 that recorded a 10.55-second run with a mere software update. This modified version reportedly exceeds 600 wheel horsepower, benefiting from a specialized engine and transmission control unit software designed for E85 Ethanol fuel, in addition to upgrades including a new turbocharger, intake system, exhaust, intercooler, fueling system, and drag radial tires. In Volkswagen terms, this configuration would be categorized as Stage 3-plus, which could significantly impact the cost difference between the RS3 and the Demon.
While the description suggests that this build is primarily intended to test APR’s forthcoming performance components—most of which may not be available immediately—software upgrades for the RS3 are expected to roll out later this year.
Which vehicle would you choose for drag racing, the APR-tuned RS3 or the Dodge Demon? A head-to-head race between these two would certainly be exciting!
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