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Audi

Audi RS3 promo video

Audi RS3

The Audi voiceover man is back; as lifeless as ever too. This time he is talking about the RS3 hyper hatch. There’s lots of facts and fugures, but, sadly, no driving footage. No 2.5 litre barking its way through a scenic European mountain pass. A bit of a let down, really. Hopefully there is more to come.

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Audi

More Audi RS3 eye candy

Audi RS3

Following the release of official RS3 info from Audi earlier this week comes this series of wallpapers sourced from the Audi.de website. Shown above is an RS3 fitted with the black optics package, which includes the gloss black grille; good, and the black wheel with red detailing; bad.

There are 17 pics in all from the gallery and you can check out the rest after the break, along with a promo video showing the RS3 in all its glory.

Further, here is a brief email exchange between AUSmotive and Audi AG:

Am: Is there any chance the RS3 will feature a manual gearbox in future?
Audi: No

Am: Is the production of the RS3 limited to 2700 units, or any other number?
Audi: No

Am: Is the quattro system exactly the same as found in the current model S3, or have there been some revisions?
Audi: The rear axle differential, prop shaft and drive shaft are reinforced.

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Audi

2011 Audi RS3 Sportback – official info & pics

2011 Audi RS3

It’s official, at last! Audi has just released confirmed specs on the RS3 Sportback quattro. It is powered by the same 250kW 2.5 litre inline five cylinder found in the TT RS. Even the peak torque figure of 450Nm is the same. At this stage, though, it looks like the RS3 will only be fitted with a 7-speed S tronic; there is no mention of a manual box in the initial press release.

An aggressive front spoiler sets the tone for what is quite a hot looking hot hatch. Large 19″ alloys set off the car very well, too. They feature a slightly staggered formation, with 235/35 tyres up front and 225/35 at the rear (that’s not a typo). She’s a bit of a porker, though, at 1575kg it’s just as well Audi used carbon fiber reinforced plastic for the flared front guards, as the weight of the RS3 is nearing obesity for what is still a mid-size hatch.

Being an RS model this hyper-hatch features a “S” button which, among other things, opens an exhaust flap to release more of that awesome five-pot growl. It also enables the driver to completely disengage the ESP system.

Performance is up there, as you’d expect, and Audi claim a rapid 0-100km/h time of just 4.6 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h. Given the RS3’s numbers—performance and weight—its overall fuel consumption figure of 9.1l/100km is quite respectable.

Five exterior colors are available, but in the material released to date Audi are being shy with the details. We can probably make a well-educated guess, though. Red will feature, obviously, along with our guesses of white, silver, black and Audi’s signature RS metallic blue.

Inside is mostly what you’d expect from the familiar 8P A3 donor range. There is the new addition of “Aluminium Race” inlays, but the RS sport bucket seats in the press pics are an option. So, too, is the red contrast stitching. Silver contrast stitching will be standard fare.

There’s no mention of the car having a limited production run of 2700 vehicles as has been speculated. But it has been confirmed the RS3 will be released early next year with a European base price of €49,900. We expect Australian buyers will be doing well if they can drive away for less than $100K when the car finds its way down under.

All in all the RS3 Sportback looks the goods. Many, including us here at AUSmotive, will lament the lack of Coupé and manual transmission options. It’s unlikely that information is being held back, either.

Audi’s initial press information is available after the break, along with all 40 images released to date (click on the pics to launch 2000px super sizing).

Categories
Audi

Audi RS3 looks certain after new prototype images emerge

Audi RS3 prototype
Audi RS3 prototype

After endless teasing, it now appears certain that Audi will make an RS3 hyper hatch following the sighting of this test mule at the Nürburgring recently. If the deep TT RS inspired front grille wasn’t enough of a giveaway, then take a peak at the back of the car. There you will see the possibility of a high-mount air brake. In the lower valance you can see a crude cut-out on the right hand side likely to house one of the twin exhaust tips featured in Audi RS models.

There doesn’t seem to be much else in terms of pure speculation about the RS3 just yet, but expect more news to filter out soon. We can only assume an RS3 would be powered by the cracking 2.5 litre five cylinder from the TT RS. It’s also interesting to note the supposed RS3 mules spotted to date have all been five door Sportback versions. With talk the next RS4 could return to an Avant only layout, perhaps we can begin to assume the RS3 will not be available in three door coupé form.

There’s some good pics available over at Autoblog, so make sure you pop on over for a squiz.

[Source: Autoblog]