The all-new Audi RS 3 has been revealed. The £51,000 hot hatch is on sale now and boasts a 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds.
The new Audi hot hatch will rival the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, Volkswagen Golf R and the BMW M2 CS; however, on paper, it'll be quicker than all three cars in a straight sprint to 62mph. The RS 3 will also have a top speed of 180mph.
Performance comes from a 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine, producing 400PS and 500Nm of torque. Power is distributed by a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox that, Audi says, is quicker than before with shorter ratios for snappier acceleration. The RS 3 also features adjustable exhausts that lets you hush or crank up the noise to match your mood.
Audi claims that the RS 3 will be one of the most rewarding cars in its line-up to drive, thanks to a new Torque Splitter, which effectively adds a multi-plate clutch to each rear drive shaft. The result, Audi claims, is more front end grip because the car can pivot on its axis. The RS 3 sits 25mm lower than standard A3 and features uprated suspension. Buyers also get the option of adjustable dampers that let you choose between comfortable or stiffer settings – or you can just leave it in Auto and let the car do the rest.
The cabin also gets a sporty makeover with a 12.3-inch digital instrument binnacle that provides unique readouts, including a blinking shift indicator that can record 0-62mph and quarter-mile times amongst other things.
The 10.1-inch centre touchscreen, meanwhile, has an RS Monitor displaying things like coolant, engine and transmission oil temperatures. Other upgrades include sports seats and a sports steering wheel.
The options list will be comprehensive, including things like carbon fibre trim pieces and a 12 o'clock mark on the steering wheel that shows you which way the wheels are pointing when you are putting the car through its limits on track.
The optional Matrix LED headlights, meanwhile, have a chequered flat motif in their corners and driver's-side light spells out R, S, 3 on startup.
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