Audi RS3 Sportback now with 367 PS to beat A 45 AMG

Audi-RS3-Sportback-004

The new Audi RS3 Sportback is here, based on the latest generation MQB platform Audi A3. The Audi RS3 Sportback is a ‘super hatch’ positioned against the Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG and the M135i, and sits above the Audi S3 in Audi’s C-segment line-up.

It’s got the biggest and most powerful engine in the segment – a 2.5 litre TFSI turbo five-cylinder that does 367 PS and 465 Nm of torque. This takes away the power throne from the A 45 AMG, which does 360 PS and 450 Nm, but not by much, and it does have a big 500cc advantage in displacement.

Audi-RS3-Sportback-003

Like the AMG, it sends power to all four wheels via a dual clutch gearbox – in Audi’s case, a seven-speed wet clutch S tronic transmission paired with Audi’s famous quattro permanent all wheel drive system.

The 100 km/h sprint is done in 4.3 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds faster than its predecessor. Other than the higher power, the new RS3 is also 55 kg lighter than the model it replaces, so it all adds up. Rated fuel consumption is 8.1 litres per 100 km, with CO2 emissions of 189 g/km.

Audi-RS3-Sportback-001

This might be the last time we see the 2.5 litre five-cylinder in use, which is a shame because five-cylinders inherently sound better than four potters.

The Volkswagen Group is working on an even more powerful version of the 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine in the Golf R and Audi S3, bringing up power from 300 PS and 380 Nm to 400 PS and 450 Nm, as previewed in the Golf R 400 concept.

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • kansai on Dec 12, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    5 cylinders….I only knew audi, volvo and fiat uses that. Anymore I miss?

    5 cylinders have that nice bubbly noise.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Maserati(Official) on Dec 12, 2014 at 3:42 pm

      Stupid car companies, increase the bhp. Car companies should reduce the prices instead of wasting time increasing bhp

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 15
    • Som Seng on Dec 13, 2014 at 1:21 am

      Honda produced the G series five-cylinder engine beginning in 1989 and used it in the Vigor, Inspire, Ascot, Rafaga, and Acura TL.
      Volkswagen has used straight-five engines in their Eurovan and a different straight-five engine in the Jetta, Passat, Golf, Rabbit, and New Beetle in North America.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • seancorr (Member) on Dec 12, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    No replacement for displacement…and just add a piggyback chip and it’ll go faster.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • shawal on Dec 12, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    Not so long ago a ferrari 360 modena was released to the public and does the century sprint in 4.2 seconds…

    This audi hatchback does that 0.1 slower ,
    with quattro all wheel drive, in the real world, might prove to be even faster in the right pair of hands…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Audi, Porsche, and many other German companies normally underrate their performance. Wait till car reviews comes out and you’ll see that this car can easily be 0.1-0.3 seconds faster than the claimed 4.3s.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • heybadigol (Member) on Dec 12, 2014 at 2:55 pm

    I loved the old RS3. And the engine sound was magnificent. The only slight downside was the slightly front biased AWD, which can’t be helped as the car was based on an FWD platform. So, the RS3 was prone to slight understeer. But still a fun car to drive.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Meh,I will still wait For Proton R3 next year!!!!!!!!!

    #ProtonR3Wannabe

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 10
  • Audi no resale value in Malaysia. Stupid car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 17
    • Corrected on Jun 19, 2015 at 11:01 am

      if you can afford a audi, you won’t care much about resale value.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • W204 C63 AMG on Dec 12, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    Bigger engine, more horsepower, more torque than the A45 AMG, but less quick to 100 in 4.3 VS 4.1. Most probably because it’s a heavier car, but hats off to the 5 cylinder, now bring us the real M to the 1 series BMW.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 7
    • A45 amg does the 100 sprint in 4.6 sec, not 4.1 sec.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
    • ScourgePrime (Member) on Dec 13, 2014 at 12:58 pm

      I rather take an Audi than overrated and overhyped Merc anyday.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • Peter M on Dec 13, 2014 at 1:36 am

    I rather get the new Tesla Model S P85D making 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds and achieving near 90MPG(e) making it affordable to use the 691 horsepower. In the life of the RS3 Sportback, expect some serious competition for upcoming EV cars kicking the butt of this car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • Adnan A on Dec 13, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    Nice series from Audi. I may not able to afford it today, but I do appreciate the technology involved. The race for the hot hatch will go on. And it makes carmakers to compete to make better a car all round. This RS segment is for those who can afford such motoring privilege. Thumbs up to those can afford to purchase this and drive it 9 and 10 around a track nearby.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Atz1999 on May 31, 2015 at 7:54 am

    Design look normal , rs3 should design like new rs7 2015

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Marcus on Feb 10, 2016 at 9:21 am

    Available in Malaysia?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
 

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