The hotted up version of the Audi A3, called RS3 had been rumored before and now it appears to be a very serious contender. As you see in these pictures, disguised in S3 Sportback clothing it is flexing its muscles in the Ring!

The car the 5-cylinder turbocharged engine which Audi has revived to use in the TT-RS, and it’s a pretty good one actually. Developing 340 hp and 450 Nm of torque, it easily makes the RS3 the strongest in the small world of hot hatch backs. The closest opponent is the Ford Focus RS with 305 hp.

The Audi Rs3 is expected to make its debut in 2011.