Audi revealed their first compact sedan to bear the RS label, the most powerful model of the A3 model series, the Audi RS 3 sedan, at the Paris Motor Show. The German manufacturer says the car is equipped with the most powerful five-cylinder engine to power a series production Audi yet.
Derived from the Audi TT RS, the 2.5-litre TFSI engine is capable of producing 395bhp, which is 32bhp more than the previous RS 3 Hatchback. The 480Nm of torque is available between 1700 and 5850rpm. Power is sent to Quattro permanent all-wheel drive system via an S tronic seven-speed dual clutch transmission. This all means that the car can sprint from 0 - 100kmph in just 4.1 seconds. And will go all the way to 250kmph top speed, which on request to Audi can be increased to an electronically limited 280kmph.
The RS 3 can be opted with RS suspension with adaptive dampers. Braking duties are performed by a 370mm eight-piston callipers brake or the optional carbon ceramic. The sedan comes with 19-inch wheels and 235/35 tyres as standard. The five-cylinder engine is made of the light-alloy crankcase and is 26kg lighter than its predecessor.
The RS 3 is lowered by 25mm compared to the standard model. The front track are wider by 20mm with wider flared front wheel arches and at the rear axle, the wheels are spaced 14mm further apart compared with the basic model. In front, there is a ‘Quattro’ logo at the bottom of the grille which is surrounded by an aerodynamic edge across the bottom of the bumper which funnels air through the wheel arches. The LED headlights with their distinctive daytime running light signature are standard however Audi offers matrix LED headlights as an option. It gets a fixed spoiler lip on the boot lid with a distinctive diffuser insert which has vertical struts, garnished with the large oval tailpipes of the RS exhaust. You can have the RS 3 in colour options of nardo grey and catalunya red.
On the inside, the welcoming black fine Nappa leather with sports seats and RS logos on the backrests are standard. RS sports leather steering wheel which is flattened at the bottom and adds to the sportiness. Audi’s infotainment MMI system is standard with the seven-inch screen emerging from the dashboard. The Audi Drive Select handling system allows drivers to choose from different modes for the car. The optional 705watts Bang & Olufsen speaker system are also available.
Sharing the stage with the RS3 was its racing version, called the RS3 LMS. The RS 3 will go on sale internationally early next year, and Audi might as well bring it to India.
