Not to be outshone by VW’s hot Golf R20, Audi will launch a 335bhp RS3 in 2010 to take on BMW’s 135i Coupe and blow the Ford Focus RS away. After years of carefully nurturing the occasional RS model here and there, it seems Audi is hellbent on launching as many high-performance RS variants as possible…
An Audi RS3 with 335bhp? Has Audi dropped the engine from the TT RS into the RS3 by any chance?
You got it in one. The 2.5-litre turbocharged in-line five from the TT RS – essentially half the engine from an RS6 – has been slotted into the A3 to create a 335bhp hot hatch.
Clearly 332lb ft would wreak havoc with the front tyres’ ambitions to stay in contact with the road, so drive will be sent to all four wheels through Audi’s Quattro drivetrain. Our sources in Ingolstadt suggest the RS3 can charge to 60mph in just 4.5 seconds, before heading on to a 175mph top speed (where derestricted).
When will we officially see the new RS3?
We hear that Audi will unveil its new hot hatch at the 2010 Geneva motor show, but it’s virtually undisguised in our new spy pictures. The aluminium-effect door mirrors and huge single frame grille flanked by twin air intakes remain from the current Audi S3, but the foglights have gone and the bodywork is more sculpted.
There will also be stiffer suspension, uprated brakes and bigger wheels, while the twin pipes on the prototype are expected to be swapped for the typical twin RS oval exhausts.
Prices for the RS3 are expected to start at over £32,000. That’s pretty steep for a hatchback – especially when a 135i M Sport costs £29,610 and a three-door S3 is £27,130 – but remember the jump from TT S to TT RS stands at £9560.
When the RS3 does go on sale in 2010 it’ll mean Audi will build four RS models simultaneously for the first time ever: the new RS3 scooped here will join the RS6, TT RS and RS5.
