Development of the new-age Audi RS3 Sedan continues, as the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 fighter was spied doing the testing rounds at the Nurburgring. The latest prototype to have become the focus of our spy photographer’s camera lens wears less camouflage than before, revealing a very Lambo-ish bright green paint job, but despite showing more skin, the vinyl stickers were still there to hide the more intricate details on both ends of the car.

Differentiating the RS3 from the rest of the range are the widened wheel arches that build on the already flared fenders of the regular A3 sedans, with the front having enough space to allow engineers to squeeze in vents behind the wheel. There’s also a new front bumper with bigger air intakes, more pronounced side skirts and a unique rear bumper that incorporates a diffuser and the trademark RS oval exhaust outlets. There is a slightly bigger spoiler sitting on the boot lid and the front and rear tracks have been widened over the regular A3 Sedan. The production model will also display its RS badges on both ends and will ride and much bigger wheels than the rest of the range.


While no interior photos are included in the set we’ve obtained, the changes Audi will make to the regular A3’s cabin are expected to include body-hugging front seats wrapped in a combination of  leather/Alcantara, with contrast stitching that will make its way to the door cards and steering wheel too. Carbon fiber trim will likely enrich the atmosphere and the final upgrade will be the dedicated graphics for the infotainment system and digital dials.

Both the RS3 sedan and five-door Sportback, will be powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, mated to a dual-clutch automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. For what it’s worth, the unit pumps out 394 HP and 480 Nm of torque in the RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback, though it might deliver around 420 HP in the RS3. The rumored Performance version could get up to 450 HP in order to steal the thunder from Mercedes-AMG’s 45 cars. Audi’s all-new RS3 is rumored to premiere in late 2020 or early next year, with the four-door model crossing the pond to America and the hatchback remaining in Europe.