Audi announced the introduction of its all-new RS 3 Sportback in a press release today. The Audi RS3 is the most sports version of the scale A3, which GmbH has been developed for Quattro. In contrast to the current one S3, which is available with the bodywork of three and five doors, the future RS3 only will be commercialized in the version Sportback, that is to say with five doors.
The RS3 Sportback that is expected to hit the roads in early 2011 with prices starting from $68,220. The five-door RS3 has a 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine that can deliver 340 hp and 450 Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via a seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission. Aided by the Quattro permanent all-wheel drive, the car claims to achieve a top speed of 155.34 mph and is expected to go from 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 secs.
The RS3 sprints to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.6 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h (155mph). The compact car weighs in at only 1,575 kilograms (3,472 pounds). On the other hand, the 1M is rumored to run to 62 mph in 4.5-4.6 seconds and weigh in at around 1,500 kilograms. The RS 3 naturally sports Audi’s all-wheel-drive system, and power is dispatched via a transmission featuring two automatic modes and one manual mode. There’s also a Sport mode that, at the touch of a button, changes the settings of the electronic stability control system, as well as a launch system that manages those blistering accelerations. If you’re a fan of guttural exhaust notes, Audi’s also included a sound flap in the exhaust that unleashes an even throatier growl in Sport mode.
The Sportback comes shod in 19-inch wheels and features carbon fibre-reinforced plastic fenders, Xenon head lamps and an impressive spoiler that confirms its sporty intentions. Inside, the all-black cabin has inherited leather-clad seating with contrasting silver stitching as well as a driver information system displaying boost pressure, oil temperature and a lap timer. On the inside, RS3 logos are fashioned into the Nappa leather sport seats, while the leather multifunction sports steering wheel is flat-bottomed. On the other hand, the Sportback gains flared arches, cills and air intakes, as well as a high-gloss black diffuser and a large roof spoiler on the outside.
The RS3 Sportback’s nearly 50,000 euro pricetag in Germany would put it around $68,000 in the United States. Unfortunately, like the rest of the top-shelf RS range, Audi does not appear to be planning to bring this model to America, so this is one more European model we’ll just have to admire from afar.
Check out Audi RS 3 Sportback video,
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