We waited too long for this one! But it’s here finally, the Audi RS3 Sportback. Designed to be the king of all hot hatches, the RS3 is powered by the same basic engine as Audi TT RS, a 2.5 liter five-cylinder turbo with 250 kW (340 hp) and 450 Nm (331.90 lb ft) of torque. Those numbers are big even for sports sedans, let alone a compact hatchback.
As a result it is fast, incredibly fast. Thanks to that power and a seven-speed S tronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive, 0 100 km/h (62.14 mph) is dealt with in just 4.6 seconds, but as usual the top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.34 mph), bummer!
At 1,575 kilograms (3,472.28 pounds), the RS3 is not exactly lightweight, even though the fenders are made of carbon fiber. So it has an average fuel consumption of 9.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (25.85 US mpg) and emits 212 g CO2 per km (341.18 g/mile). Not very brilliant figures, but considering the performance of the car, quite acceptable.
As mentioned the car has quattro permanent all-wheel drive like all RS Audis which means it has extraordinary grip and handling, but it also gets 19-inch cast aluminum wheels to help, wrapped in 235/35 series tires at the front and 225/35 at the rear. The wheels come standard with machine-polished titanium-look styling, but are optionally available in black with a red rim flange.
The braking system consists of internally ventilated disks measure 370 millimeters (14.57 inches) in diameter at the front and 310 millimeters (12.20 inches) at the rear. For the sake of fun, electronic stabilization program (ESP) features a Sport mode and can be switched off entirely.
The RS3 is easily distinguishable over the A3 and S3 thanks to its subtle body kit which includes sill panels, exterior-mirror casings in matt aluminum look and a large roof spoiler as well as a high-gloss black diffusor insert and two elliptical exhaust tailpipes on the left, and of course a numbers of RS3 badges.
Inside the car you get sports seats are upholstered in Fine Nappa leather with silver contrasting stitching; the inlays gleam in Piano finish black or the new Aluminum Race look; the leather multifunction sports steering wheel is flat-bottomed. One cool feature here is the new driver information system can display the boost pressure and oil temperature as well as a lap timer.
Standard equipments include the Sport button, rear parking system, climate control, chorus radio system, and xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights. The options list include item like front bucket seats, roof rails in matt aluminum look, and styling packages in black or matt aluminum. Five exterior colors are available, plus an unlimited selection of custom paint finishes.
The sales of the Audi RS3 Sportback will begin early next year as a 2012 model, with a base price of 49,900 euros in Germany. That’s a lot of money for a hatchback, but then it does offer a lot too.
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