Yet another model joins the Audi RS series lineup, and this one is the big, bad version of the A3 called the RS 3 Sportback. There’s no shortage of pizzazz here, for sure, what with 340 hp and 450 Nm as well as a 0-100 kph sprint time of 4.6 secs kicking off this particular dynamic parade.
Styling-wise, the car, which is of course developed by Audi subsidiary quattro, gets the RS dress up treatment, and the front features an anthracite single-frame grill with diamond-patterned styling, new air intakes, a front apron, and front fenders made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP).
Throw in prominent sill panels, exterior-mirror casings in matt aluminium, a large roof spoiler and a high-gloss black diffusor insert at the rear, along with two elliptical exhaust tailpipes and you’ve got the new clothes this one wears.
Oh, and RS 3 badging both front and rear, of course.
The entirely black interior carries a number of RS 3 logos as well, in case you ever forget what it is you’re driving. The sports seats wear fine Nappa leather with silver contrasting stitching, and you get Piano finish black or the new Aluminum Race look for inlay finishes. Elsewhere, the selector lever and instruments for the RS 3 are unique, and the vehicle’s driver information system can display the boost pressure and oil temperature as well as a lap timer.
As the heart of the all-wheel drive RS 3 is a 2.5 litre TFSI five-cylinder turbocharged pot, first seen on the TT RS, and the 340 horses (available between 5,400 and 6,500 rpm) translates into a specific power output of 137.1 hp per litre. As for the torque, the 450 Nm is available from 1,600 rpm right up to 5,300 rpm. The turbocharger generates up to 1.2 bar of boost pressure, with an intercooler downstream efficiency rate of over 80%.
The 183 kg block features a crankcase made of vermicular-graphite cast iron – Audi’s the first car maker to use this a high-strength, yet lightweight material in a gasoline engine, and helping to keep the weight in check means paying off big for the RS 3 in terms of axle-load distribution and handling.
The RS 3 features a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, with a operational choice of two automatic modes and one manual mode – paddle shifters and a launch control system round things off. Meanwhile, the quattro all-wheel drive features an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch mounted at the end of the propeller shaft to achieve a favourable axle load distribution.
Performance-wise, the 1,575 kg car manages an electronically-limited 250 kph top speed, and it growls all the way in that signature RS manner, with a sound flap in the exhaust branch intensifying the sound even further (the flap is controlled via the standard Sport button, which also varies the engine response). Despite it being a scorcher, it’s also very much a sipper – the claimed average consumption figure is a neat 9.1 litres per 100 km.
As would be the case, the RS 3 Sportback gets a number of suspension and geometry revisions to help it handle like its life depended on it. The sports suspension on the RS 3 lowers it by 25 mm compared with the stock A3, and at the front the track has been widened, with the McPherson struts featuring a separate subframe; key components are made of aluminium. At the back, the four-link suspension is also anchored to a subframe and features high-strength-steel control arms that allow it to handle longitudinal and lateral forces separately.
Stopping power is through a brake system made up of four-pot calipers (finished in high-gloss black and bearing the RS logo) and 370 mm front and 310 mm rear ventilated discs. The car wears 19-inch cast aluminium wheels finished in machine-polished titanium as standard, with a black with a red rim flange available as an option – the wheels sit on 235/35 series front and 225/35 rear rubbers.
In terms of kit, there’s a rear parking system, climate control, chorus radio system and xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights as standard, among other things. Optional equipment includes front bucket seats, matt aluminium roof rails and styling packages in black or matt aluminium.
The car will be made at Audi Hungaria in Gyor, and deliveries are slated to begin in early 2011. Gallery after the jump.
[zenphotopress number=999 album=1722]
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awesome!
The Audi RS 3 Sportsback is a great car. I dove one lately and it was an amazing ride. Especially the red one would suite me very well.;)
RS3 just got out and you drove one already?
Are you the test driver, work in Audi gmbH or are you referring to an A3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI…
or you just bluffing ?
I think he just drive it in Xbox or PS3… =p
nice…
isn’t those front scoop(bottom) cues from Gallardo?
but still prefer the old boxy V70R(macho looks)
maybe its because lambo car co. owned by audi….
The A3 family finally has a one up over the Golf!
paul, is this RS3 longer and larger than the current regular A3? Sportsback is like wagon?
Was considering TT RS, but now same technology but in a more practical format… really tempted due to our road tax peg on CC.
Sweet!.. Can’t wait to see what APR can do to this monster…
Indeed… that 5cyl 2.5 turbo is THE engine right now,wuld be interesting to see what some clever tweaking could do.
At almost 140 hp/liter turbocharged, i would be quite reluctant to do anymore tweaks ( remaps, increase booost, ), as this is pushing modern engines already @ boost around 1.5 bar. Plus engine work on Continental engines costs a kidney.
Yes, i know evo can produce 400hp from 2liter engine @ 2bar boost, but engine lifespan becomes questionable even for internals reinforeced engines like most stock turbo engines these days.
Granted..but make no mistake,it will be tweaked..;)
niceee… i wonder how much would it cost..
Damn this is shit hot… someone please buy my 335i!!
i’ll take it. u can take my B7 + 100 g cash. will u?
B7? With the CVT? No thanks…
Not even in the same class…
now that’s the truest definition of a hot hatch!
droooooooooooooooooooooooool ~~
Technically its not a hatchback, neither is it a wagon… Maybe can call it a Hot Hatchwagon!..
or maybe tomake it more catchy, a Hot HaGon!!
sounds a bit like Hulk Hogan lol! ~~
no electric seats?
now im waiting for a comparison of this and the rumoured 300hp megane renaultsport that will be coming soon
Blah. BORING. Just a VW golf with a pretty dress. NEXT
yeah, a vw golf with 2.5T, and quattro all wheel drive. i’d take this “vw golf with a pretty dress” over any other hot hatch anyway.
Agreed.. wish people would study and know what they are talking about first before posting.
its an audi. not a people’s car. soo boo yeah
Agreed with you, the looks is so boring, Renault Megane is way better looking.
Wowwww how much this toy? If compared to megane, which one is better?
notice how the front tyres are slightly wider (and inherently a bit thicker)?
Put a big engine you get a sportback, put a small engine you get a hatchback.
i want one!
beautiful and powerful car!
Great car that can beat the renault megane sport that recently tc euro launched? Wanted so much to see these 2 beast compete.
How about lancer sportback 2.4L turbocharged it? Can come close to them?
Err.. It can beat the Megane, but it may also cost 2x… But who cares right?.. Hahaa
I believe quattro is the branding for their all wheel drive system, and not an Audi subsidiary.
True, but there is also quattro GmbH, a wholly owned private subsidiary of Audi that specialises in producing high performance Audi cars and components as well as customisations, and that would be the quattro in question.
Super awesome!!
All speed need in a car is there..WOW!! seven speeder, 5 cylinder, turbo charge etc. Speechless
Niceee!!!!!!!!
Monsieur Anthony Lim,
Could you tell us more about the engine? Obviously not too often that we hear of this 5cyl lump. Is it an inline unit or something more bizarre though typical of VW like the VR5.
Also when will you get yourself behind the wheel and tells us what it feels like?
its basically the same inline-5 found in the TT-RS. they took the normally aspirated 5 cylinder they’ve been using in the US market Golf/Rabbit and turboed the fella!
Not much more than what’s been written – as is Paul’s comment about it being souped up from the basic pot. The block was first seen in the TT RS, and features variable camshaft timing as well as chain driven cams. Oh, and that it’s the 2010 International Engine of The Year, and that it marks the return of the five-cyl engine into the Audi fold – that’s about it, I guess.
Drive it? Ha ha, prolly do five Lambos before this even becomes remotely likely as a thought. :D
Thanks. Just saw the engine in the image gallery. Looks transversely mounted. What platform is this car using? Same as Golf?
was the engine originate from the monster 5pot on audi quattro s1???
or it was similiar unit to volvo???
or similiat to ford which also use 5pot engine in their focus…….
hurmmmmmm….
The main thing is that audi wish to make a new version of their legendary audi quattro 5 cylinder engine. They first plant it into tt-rs and now rs3. Perhaps rs1/rs4 coming next. haha.
Love it! I wonder how much it will cost when it finally arrives here.
At least RM300-RM400k
I reckon it should be 600k and above. =(
Who wants a kidney?
Agreed… this is an RS jo!!
Looks girly. Renault megane will eat this for breakfast.
Doubt it. This will eat and shit the Megane for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
and supper as well! lol
The closest Audi to the Renault Megane RS 250 would probably be the Audi S3 hatchback with the 2.0TFSI engine. Even then, the S3 still costs significantly more is just slightly faster 0-60, but I am sure the Megane 250 will out handle it. The RS3 is a whole different level from the RS250 and priced accordingly. Renault offers no car that I know of that competes at the level of the Audi RS series (maybe the hardcore R26R, but that’s not longer for sale.). A similar comparison to the Audi RS3 would be the also recently announced BMW 1M Coupe.
But 1M Coupe is too much for RS3 and will pawn RS3 kao kao, especially on the handling.
ahhh beautyyyy… im guessing atleast 400k above.
Check those Youtube on TT RS. The 2.5 Turbo sounds sweet……..as sweet as a R32 slapped with straight flow exhaust!!
Price tag in Germany: start from 49,900 EUR