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Audi RS3 to drop at Frankfurt?

Andrew — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:39:22 +0000

Rumors have been swirling for months that Audi was getting ready to make its hottest version yet of the A3 hatchback. Many saw a supposed test mule of the RS3 slamming around the the Nurburgring within the last few months. Other rumors were that an RS3 with be powered by the same turbocharged inline-5 cylinder engine that is hiding under the hood of the recently-released TTRS. None of the rumors could really be confirmed though as to whether or not the world would get super hot hatchback from Ingoldstadt.

That is - until now.

In an apparent lapse in judgement or even perhaps as a marketing ploy, a twitterer out of the Audi dealership in Cape Town, South Africa blurted out to the world that :

“Looking forward to the unveiling of the Audi RS3. 2.5L 5-cylinder turbocharged engine 4WD & 335BHP. See it at Frankfurt Motorshow.”

So, for us, that settles it that we can plan on seeing the RS3 drop within the next two weeks( assuming Audi doesn’t decide to debut the car early in light of this slip up) at the Frankfurt Motorshow. We’ll also be keeping an eye out for the electric Audi set to debut at the same show! Also, sorry sports fans, but we’re not expecting the RS3 to come stateside, especially in light of the S4 wagon being cut from the U.S. line-up for 2010.

(Source: Jalopnik via GermanCarBlog)

2012 Audi RS3: By the numbers

Andrew — Thu, 07 May 2009 02:53:41 +0000

Here we see for ourselves what Autocar speculates the 2012 RS3 will look like when it storms onto the market in late 2011. As we have previously reported, it is likely that the RS3 will be powered by the turbocharged 2.5 L in-line 5 currently found in the TT RS and produce the same 340HP figure. Insiders also report that the RS3 will come with the famed Audi 7-speed DSG gearbox and the new form of quattro with its torque vectoring differential which is currently found on the 2010 S4.

The RS3 is expected to do battle upon it’s launch with the 2010 Ford Focus RS - the new and incredibly popular hatchback which already pumps out over 300HP and the quirky BMW 135i, with it’s 306HP twin-turbo engine, also sold as a hatchback in Europe. Ironically, the Focus RS will also be sporting a 2.5L inline-5 cylinder similar to the RS3. Another interest fact is that 2012 is also around the time that the BMW 1 Series will be due for a entirely revamped model, so the RS3 will definitely have it’s work cut out for it. However, if these stats and this picture are any indication of what’s in store from Audi, then the RS3 definitely will not disappoint.

(Source: Autocar)

Audi RS3 goes laptime hunting at Nurburgring

Andrew — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:53:19 +0000

As we have previously reported, Audi is in the process of developing a brand new hot hatch: that’s right, an Audi RS3.

Recently, the RS3 was spied undergoing testing at the ubiquitous Nurburgring during a shake-down session to get the car ready for when it goes on sale in 2011. Audi’s upcoming fastest hatchback will be powered by the same engine found in the just-released Audi TT RS - a turbocharged 2.5L 5-cylinder producing 340HP and will put up a 0 to 60mph time of 4.6 seconds on it’s way up to a top speed of 179mph. It is also anticipated that this first generation Audi RS3 will sport the popular rear-biased quattro all-wheel-drive to give hatchback even sportier handling.

hit the jump for more spy pics!

In these pictures some of the design cues of an RS model from quattro GmbH can be seen with the much larger air intakes, somewhat flared wheel arches and larger wheels and show that the Audi RS3 will not shy away from its sporting heritage. Look for the RS3 to drop in 2011.

(Special thanks to Andrus @ Globalmotors.net for the tip!)