We love the 2016 Audi S3 and now Audi has showcased the most fastest and most powerful model of the A3 model series, the Audi RS3 sedan, at the 2016 Motor Show in Paris. It is the first compact Audi sedan to bear the RS nameplate.
Under the hood is a 2.5-litre 5-cylinder TFSI that puts out 294 kW/400 PS/394 bhp – 33 PS more than its predecessor, making it also the most powerful five-cylinder engine on the planet. Its 480 Nm (354.0 lb-ft) of torque is available at engine speeds between 1,700 and 5,850 rpm. And with all that motivation the RS3 model is capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in just 4.1 seconds – that’s faster than a Porsche 911 Carrera S. As expected maximum speed is an electronically limited 250 km/h (155.3 mph); but on request Audi will stretch that limit to 280 km/h (174.0 mph). The exhaust note of the five-cylinder unit is expected to be a loud and throbbing one, but even that can be amplified via Audi drive select.The five-cylinder engine is 26 kilograms (57.3 lb) lighter than its predecessor and employs a dual injection and Audi valvelift system technologies.
The S tronic 7-speed dual clutch transmission transmits the power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive via a electro-hydraulic multi-plate clutch that can vary torque between the axles. Other major features include Wheel-selective torque control – which like Porsche Torque Vectoring system – is an intelligent software that can slightly brakes the inside wheels thereby transmitting greater lateral power and a sport mode for controlled drifting.
The chassis of the RS3 sedan 25 mm lower than the standard model. The front brake discs have a diameter of 370 mm (14.6 in), with 8-piston calipers clamping on them. At the rear, the brake discs are 310 mm (12.2 in). Carbon-fibre ceramic discs in front are optional. And you can see their cross-drilled patterns through the gaps between the spokes of the 19-inch wheels, that comes wrapped in 235/35 tires; 255/30 tires are optionally available in front.
From an aesthetic perspective, it builds on the subdued aggression found in the S3 sedan. The Singleframe with its 3-dimensional honeycomb grille bears the quattro logo along the bottom. LED headlights with their distinctive daytime running light signature are standard; Audi also offers matrix LED headlights as an option. Compared with an A3, the front track of the RS3 sedan is wider by 20 millimeters (0.8 in) achieved through employing wider fenders. At the rear axle, the wheels are spaced 14 millimeters (0.6 in) further apart compared with the regular model. A fixed spoiler lip on the boot lid improves the separation of air flow and a diffusor insert with vertical struts and the large oval tailpipes of the RS exhaust system finish the rear look. Exclusively paint colors like Nardo gray and Catalunya red are optional.
The familiar black-base cabin comes with illuminated door sills bearing the RS3 logos as a standard feature. The sport seats are upholstered in black fine Nappa leather with RS logos on the backrests are standard; more bolstered RS sport seats with integrated head restraints are optional. They have a diamond quilted pattern and are color-perforated. The RS sport leather steering wheel is flattened at the bottom.
Standard is an electrically extending MMI screen with a 7-inch diagonal. The two circular instrument dials are black with red needles and white scales and the centrally positioned driver information system includes a boost pressure indicator, an oil thermometer and a lap timer. The fully digital Audi virtual cockpit is optionally available which uses a high-resolution 12.3-inch monitor and the driver can choose between three display modes.
An LTE module brings on board the various services of Audi connect, including navigation with Google Earth and Google Street View, as well as information on fuel prices, the weather, travel and traffic; and Wi-Fi hotspot enables passengers to browse with their tablets, smartphones etc. The free Audi MMI connect app offers many other features, such as transferring your smartphone’s calendar and POI’s to the MMI. Through Aupeo! The Audi smartphone interface also brings Apple Car Play and Android Auto into the car. The Audi phone box inductively charges the smartphone according to the Qi standard and connects it to the car antenna via near-field coupling for optimal reception quality. There is also a Bang & Olufsen Sound System that produces 705 watts through its 14 speakers, to satisfy your ears.
Besides all the lane departure assists and blind spot alerts, the new feature here is traffic jam assist, which briefly takes over the steering in slow-moving traffic up to 65 km/h (40.4 mph), the emergency assist, which automatically stops the car if required, and cross traffic assist rear. The latter system looks out for crossing vehicles when pulling out of a parking space.
The RS3 will be launched in China and the USA starting from the summer of 2017 under the “Audi Sport” label.
