Audi has unveiled the most powerful compact car in the premium segment: the
new RS 3 Sportback. With its powerful five cylinder, turbocharged engine, the
five door model accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, and its top speed
can be increased to 174 mph upon request.
The 2.5-liter turbo produces 362 hp and 343 lb-ft (465 Nm) of torque
in the new RS 3 Sportback.
A seven-speed S tronic, which shifts even faster than in the previous model,
directs the power of the 2.5 TFSI to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive
system. On low-friction road
surfaces, drivers can even perform controlled drifts, if desired.
The new top-of-the-line model of the A3
family will roll into dealerships in the summer of 2015 across Europe.
With this model, quattro GmbH, Audi's
high-performance subsidiary, now has seven RS models on the market: RS 3 Sportback,
RS Q3, RS 4 Avant, RS 5 Coupé, RS 5
Cabriolet, RS 6 Avant and the RS 7 Sportback.
Exterior Reveals Potential
The new top model in the A3 series reveals its potential at first glance. The large air inlets framed by bold contours provide
air to the engine's supplemental radiator and the transmission oil cooler. The
blade integrated into the front apron extends upward into the air inlets to form
a vertical dividing bar.
Viewed in profile, the widened front fenders, chiseled side sills, matt
aluminum-look mirror housings and the large roof spoiler of the Audi RS 3
Sportback immediately catch the eye. A pronounced bumper, high-gloss black
diffuser insert with honeycomb grille and four bars plus two large, oval
tailpipes make for a bold rear. RS 3 badges adorn the Singleframe grille and the
rear hatch.
Dedicated individualists can order additional features, including a carbon
engine cover. The matt aluminum and gloss black styling packages are also
particularly attractive. Besides exterior details with distinctive surface, they
also include a quattro logo in titanium gray in the air inlet. The eight paint
finishes include two new shades: Nardo gray and Catalunya red, metallic. The
latter color is exclusive to the Audi RS 3 Sportback.
19-Inch Wheels with Optional Wider Tires at Front Axle
The dynamic, new top model of the A3 series rolls on 19-inch, cast aluminum
wheels in five-arm rotor design with size 235/35 tires. Audi offers
machine-polished 19-inch wheels in matt titanium look or high-gloss anthracite
black. The top tire option includes size 255/30 tires up front and 235/35 at the
rear.
