Maybe the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG won’t have things its own way for two long with confirmation the Audi RS3 Sportback is in production and slated for launch next year.
The ultimate A3 arrives brandishing Audi’s most powerful five-cylinder production engine so far 2.5-TFSI engine delivering 270kW of power and 465Nm of torque – the latter delivered from 1625rpm – 5550rpm.
And it debits twin driver-adjustable exhaust flaps which, when pressing-on hard, delivers a raucous version of the hallmark five-cylinder turbo exhaust note – music to the ears of fans of high-performance German cars.
All of that’s good for zero to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds – 0.3 seconds faster that the RS3 Sportback’s predecessor.
The latest Audi RS3 Sportback is also 55kgs lighter at 1520kgs and comes with a faster-shifting S tronic seven-speed twin-clutch transmission and a faster-reacting Quattro all-wheel-drive system which is 1.4kgs lighter and includes torque vectoring.
But it’s not all muscle in the engine development department – the latest Audi RS3 Sportback returns combined-cycle fuel consumption of just 6.7l/100kms.
Underneath the Audi RS 3 Sportback rides on a chassis with wider tracks and 25mm lower than the standard A3 Sportback.
There’s also new progressive steering and the Audi magnetic ride adaptive damper system as standard.
On the options list are ceramic brakes and a carbon engine cover.
Styling sees the usual Audi RS finesse – a high-gloss black honeycomb version of the Singleframe grille, larger air intakes and an aero blade.
Side view is dominated by the flared guards, side sills and matt aluminium look mirror housings.
At the rear there’s a large roof spoiler, new rear bumper, high-gloss black diffuser, honeycomb grille and twin oval tailpipes.
The Audi RS 3 Sportback is available in eight paint colours including two new hues – ‘Nardo’ grey and an exclusive ‘Catalunya’ red metallic (both continuing the Audi tradition of naming paint colours after the world’s race circuits…we’re waiting for a ‘Phillip Island’ green/gold colour combo!).
Buyers can choose from two unique 19-inch alloy wheel designs.
Inside is the usual RS racing black scheme with Nappa leather sports seats featuring contrasting ‘rock grey’ stitching, the gorgeous RS flat-bottom steering wheel trimmed in leather and Alcantara and stainless steel pedals.
Door inserts are also in Alcantara with optional ‘Aluminium Race’ or ‘Carbon trim highlights.
And there are RS instruments in black with red needles and white scales including a boost pressure gauge, oil temperature gauge and a lap timer.
Options include race-style lightweight RS seats with a carbon shell and integrated side airbags.
File this one under ‘CW’ for ‘Can’t Wait!
