Audi RS3 Sportback – 400 hp 2.5L TFSI five-cylinder

Audi RS3 Sportback – 400 hp 2.5L TFSI five-cylinder

Audi has unveiled the new RS3 Sportback, which joins its sedan sibling from the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The new model will make its global premiere next month at the Geneva Motor Show, with a market launch set to follow later this year in August.

Powered by the same 2.5 five-cylinder TFSI engine from the RS3 Sedan, the Sportback comes with 400 hp (33 hp more than its predecessor) and 480 Nm of torque available between 1,700 to 5,850 rpm. It’ll complete the century sprint (0-100 km/h) in exactly the same amount of time as the sedan – 4.1 seconds – before hitting a limited top speed of 250 km/h (280 km/h available upon request).

The German carmaker points out that the mill is 26 kg lighter thanks to an aluminium crankcase, among other enhancements. The mill also employs dual injection into the intake manifold and into the combustion chambers, while Audi’s valvelift system is hard at work on the exhaust side.

Paired with the TFSI engine is Audi’s S tronic seven-speed dual-clutch automatic that transmits power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, which uses an electro-hydraulic multi-plate clutch to distribute torque variably between the axles.

Audi RS3 Sportback – 400 hp 2.5L TFSI five-cylinder

Said system also works in relation to the car’s drive select dynamic handling system, along with the steering, S tronic, engine management, adjustable exhaust flaps and optional RS sport suspension plus with adaptive damper control.

The driver has three modes at his or her disposal – Comfort, Auto and Dynamic. Like the sedan, the ESC is tweaked to include wheel-selective torque control and a sport mode for controlled drifting, specifically tuned for the RS model.

Chassis revisions include a suspension setup that is lowered by 25 mm compared to the regular A3. In addition, the track at the front axle is wider by 20 mm, complimented by flared wheel arches that host 19-inch wheels (with 235/35 tyres) and 310-mm brake discs (with optional front carbon-ceramic discs).

Audi RS3 Sportback – 400 hp 2.5L TFSI five-cylinder

Aside from flared arches, the RS3 is further differentiated from a regular A3 thanks to the Singleframe grille with its gloss black honeycomb grille and quattro logo below it, larger air inlets and angular sill trims. In the rear, a RS roof spoiler, a diffuser insert and the RS exhaust system’s large oval tailpipes add to its visual presence. LED headlights come as standard here, with the option of Audi’s matrix LED headlights.

Open the doors and you’ll be greeted by a dark interior featuring black Nappa leather sport seats, upgradable to RS sport seats that are more contoured. Drivers also get to enjoy a flat-bottomed RS steering wheel, Audi virtual cockpit with a special RS screen.

Other equipment found in the cabin include Audi’s MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, LTE connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Audi phone box, 705-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system and various other driving assist features.


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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

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