Spy-shots reveal Audi RS3 is set for production
Spy-shots reveal Audi RS3 is set for production Spies scoop steering wheel, dash board and details of high-performance hatch back, Audi newcomer takes fight to 1-Series M with TT RS’s five-cylinder turbo engine.
It’s official – Audi’s firebreathing RS3 hot hatch is on its way. We brought you spy shots of the most extreme A3 yet testing at the Nürburgring back in Issue 1,121. And while the company has yet to confirm production, these new pictures – which have surfaced on the Internet – settle the argument once and for all.
The RS3-branded components in our shots show details of the new car, including a speedo that reads to 310km/h (192mph) – although production models are likely to be limited to 155mph. The steering wheel-mounted aluminium paddleshifters prove Audi’s seven-speed S tronic gearbox will be standard.
Under the bonnet will sit the potent 2.5-litre turbo five-cylinder engine from the TT RS. This is tuned to give an extra 10bhp, and delivers a massive 345bhp and 450Nm of torque – that will put the car on a par with the Ford Focus RS 500.Â
To ensure the chassis can cope, it will feature the same hi-tech adaptable magnetic dampers and torque-vectoring rear differential as recent RS models. This is capable of sending up to 85 per cent of power to the rear wheels.Â
Insiders say Audi is planning to build only 2,700 RS3s – the same figure as BMW’s upcoming 1-Series M Coupé, and is is due to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
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