Audi is now hard at work delivering performance versions of its compact
car. The middling S3 should come pretty soon, but the one we’re waiting for is
the top-dog RS3, which will take the fight to the latest Mercedes-AMG A 45.
We’ve seen spyshots of the hatchback
before, but this time our spies have managed to snag photos of the sedan as
well. The hot four-door looks as handsome as its lesser variants, with a short
rump and sleek L-shaped tail lights. Beyond that, this development prototype is
as per the hatch mules, sporting a much wider front track that is covered by
rather crude wheel arch extensions.
The bumpers, meanwhile, are from the S3
(evident by the larger air intakes compared to the regular A3), which explains
the mismatch in width between the front bumper and fenders. Also visible are
large wheels, wrapped in low-profile tyres and hiding huge cross-drilled front
brakes. The trademark Audi Sport oval exhaust pipes are visible at the rear,
poking out from under the diffuser.
Expect the RS3 to be powered by the same
2.5 litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine as before, but tweaked above and
beyond the 400 PS and 480 Nm of torque it currently makes – it needs to at
least match the A 45 S’ 421 PS and 500 Nm, after all. A seven-speed dual-clutch
transmission and quattro all-wheel drive will likely feature, and possibly a
mild hybrid system as well to improve fuel economy and emissions.
