The New Audi RS3 Sportback Laughs In The Face Of Your Mercedes A45

Audi has revealed a facelifted RS3, packing the updated 2.5-litre inline-five from the RS3 saloon and TT RS

10 Feb 2017

The New Audi RS3 Sportback Laughs In The Face Of Your Mercedes A45

Audi’s stonkingly fast RS3 quietly went out of production part way through last year, but now it’s back with a (slightly) new face and a new heart.

The ‘heart’ in question is the overhauled 2.5-litre, turbocharged inline-five first seen in the TT RS and the incoming RS3 saloon, putting out 395bhp and 354lb ft - an increase of 33bhp and 11lb ft when compared to the old car.

It’s a lighter engine, shedding 33kg over the old unit thanks to an aluminium crankcase, among other things. There’s a new dual injection system too, plus a valvelift feature “for moderate fuel consumption at low and partial load as well as more spontaneous throttle response and a high level of tractive power at full load.” Lovely.

With its newfound power, the four-wheel drive RS3 Sportback will hit 62mph from rest in just 4.1 seconds - 0.1sec quicker than a Mercedes-AMG A45 and bang on the time of the RS3 saloon. The top speed mirrors the saloon too: it’s the usual 155mph electronic limiter, which can be bumped up to 174mph should you tick the right option box.

Compared to a boggo A3 Sportback the suspension is 25mm lower, with the track widened by 20mm at the front and the wheel arches flared to suit. The brake discs are 370mm whoppers at the front with eight piston callipers, with 310mm rotors squeezed by monoblock callipers at the rear. If you want posh carbon ceramics rotors, those are optional.

On the inside, you might notice the presence of Audi’s virtual cockpit system, which found its way into the rest of the A3 range last year. You might also notice the automatic gear selector: sorry guys, like the last RS3, it’s powered by a seven-speed ‘S Tronic’ dual-clutch transmission only.

The car will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

That thing is able to hit 174 with the limiter off. Pretty sure hot hatches are getting a bit too hot, no?

new category: hatch on fire!

Red HOT

2023: A dinky suzuki hatch will be able to go 200mph

Hot hatches: Golf GTI, Focus ST, Peugeot 308 GTI etc
Superhatches: Golf R, Focus RS, Mercedes A45
Hyperhatches: Audi RS3.. who’s next?

Let’s not even talk about the top speed and the just over 3s 0-60 times after just a simple remap XD
What a time to be alive!

Remember the days when cars were just great to drive. Would rather a car be better on tarmac than what it says on a piece of paper.

It took them too long to actually make this car.
When they released the facelifted A3 and the new TT RS last year I was super exited since it was exactly the time when I was looking for my new car. I was expecting the RS3 with the new 5cyl engine and new tech to come out a month or two after the A3 was released. I had my deposit money prepared and was ready to leave to Audi dealership as soon as they announce sales. And I waited… And waited… And then realised that there is no point in waiting any further and so ordered a completely different car.
Now they are saying that first customer cars are going to arrive around August 2017. That’s more than a year after the facelifted A3 was shown. Imagine how many potential customers like me Audi are losing.
Quattro gmbh need to speed up their game asap. Where is the new RS4/5? It’s about time. Yet it’s probably going to take them another year to release it. I love RS cars but damn it takes Audi long to make them.

The thing is Audi usually release their RS cars towards the end of the standard model’s lifespan. For example, the RS5 will only come just before the new or facelifted A5 comes out, so we’ll have to wait abit longer to see the new RS5. (this is especially true with the RS5 and RS4). I totally agree with you though when it comes to Audi taking too long to bring out their RS models. I much prefer BMW’s and Mercedes’ method of bringing out the M and AMG cars just after the new standard models come out.

Hits brakes
face flies off
Accelerates
face flies back on

LOVE THIS! Has to be on the top comments!

Who the hell needs 8 piston brake calipers when the limiting factor is the brake pad in this world of carbon ceramic rotors and already-advanced 6 piston calipers?

33HP more and 33Kg less is a big difference that with Supercars would cost you as much as this Audi costs

It didn’t need more power or better brakes. What it needs is a more advanced AWD system that can overspeed the rear axle. - These still understeer at the limit, though the weight reduction from that engine hanging over the front axle will help slightly. If they used a similar AWD system to the Mitsubishi Evo, this thing would be a monster.

“at the limit” who drives an rs3 at the limit, you do that on the road and you’ve lost your licence, and lets be honest how many people actually track these cars…. really not many, so it really is a moot point..