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.