Audi RS3 Sedan (US)
The four ring brand will go BMW M2 and
Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 hunting with a new addition into the high-performance
compact segment, the RS3 Sedan.
Despite adopting a different body style
than its two main rivals, Ingolstadt's model is expected to offer more power
than the range-topper CLA that is currently rated at 375 HP. CarandDriver
reports that the RS3 Sedan will adopt the same engine as the TT RS, meaning a
2.5-liter turbo five-cylinder, which will debut at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show
this month.
The output is expected to nudge the 400
HP mark and will be directed to the wheels through Audi's 7-speed dual-clutch
automatic transmission. 0-96 km/h acceleration should take 4.0
seconds and top speed will be electronically limited to 250 km/h or 280 km/h, depending on options and market. If the numbers are
correct, than it should be a tenth of a second faster to 60 than the CLA 45 AMG
and 0.2 seconds faster than the M2, with an extra 31 km/h added to its
top speed.
Quoting "a highly reliable source
within the company", C/D states that the Audi RS3 Sedan will debut in the
US market by the end of this year, as a 2018 model. At the moment, Audi hasn’t
confirmed nor denied this info.
