The New Audi RS3 Sportback Laughs In The Face Of Your Mercedes A45

Audi has revealed a facelifted RS3, packing the updated 2.5-litre inline-five from the RS3 saloon and TT RS
The New Audi RS3 Sportback Laughs In The Face Of Your Mercedes A45

Audi’s stonkingly fast RS3 quietly went out of production part way through last year, but now it’s back with a (slightly) new face and a new heart.

The ‘heart’ in question is the overhauled 2.5-litre, turbocharged inline-five first seen in the TT RS and the incoming RS3 saloon, putting out 395bhp and 354lb ft - an increase of 33bhp and 11lb ft when compared to the old car.

The New Audi RS3 Sportback Laughs In The Face Of Your Mercedes A45

It’s a lighter engine, shedding 33kg over the old unit thanks to an aluminium crankcase, among other things. There’s a new dual injection system too, plus a valvelift feature “for moderate fuel consumption at low and partial load as well as more spontaneous throttle response and a high level of tractive power at full load.” Lovely.

With its newfound power, the four-wheel drive RS3 Sportback will hit 62mph from rest in just 4.1 seconds - 0.1sec quicker than a Mercedes-AMG A45 and bang on the time of the RS3 saloon. The top speed mirrors the saloon too: it’s the usual 155mph electronic limiter, which can be bumped up to 174mph should you tick the right option box.

The New Audi RS3 Sportback Laughs In The Face Of Your Mercedes A45

Compared to a boggo A3 Sportback the suspension is 25mm lower, with the track widened by 20mm at the front and the wheel arches flared to suit. The brake discs are 370mm whoppers at the front with eight piston callipers, with 310mm rotors squeezed by monoblock callipers at the rear. If you want posh carbon ceramics rotors, those are optional.

The New Audi RS3 Sportback Laughs In The Face Of Your Mercedes A45

On the inside, you might notice the presence of Audi’s virtual cockpit system, which found its way into the rest of the A3 range last year. You might also notice the automatic gear selector: sorry guys, like the last RS3, it’s powered by a seven-speed ‘S Tronic’ dual-clutch transmission only.

The car will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

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Comments

Anton 3

I’m secretly in love with the RS3 saloon. Pshh, don’t tell my TT.

02/10/2017 - 18:11 |
4 | 0
240sx ftw

Yes! This means used 8v pre facelifts will go down in Price!

02/10/2017 - 19:24 |
8 | 0

My exactly thoughts hahaha

02/10/2017 - 21:45 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

If This thing is anything like its predecessor, it will be great in the straights, but in the curves it will do nothing more than understeer.

The pre-facelift model was a major disappointment. Great sound, nice interior, but boring otherwise

02/11/2017 - 01:05 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

sounds suspiciously like someone who hasn’t driven one…

02/11/2017 - 09:17 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Is dis 4wd or AWD? Or FWD?

02/11/2017 - 01:46 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

AWD

02/11/2017 - 19:28 |
2 | 0
Jakob

We can be lucky that the Eurofighter isn’t produced exclusively in Germany. Because otherwise that thing would be electronically limited to 250 km/h too.

02/11/2017 - 17:22 |
2 | 0
Williard

Is it just me or does it interior look quite ‘bare’ for an RS, i’m not saying it should be plastered in carbon fibre, but the interior does look like a standard TT.

But the exterior is stunning, along with the 5 cylinder engine you know if paired with an aftermarket cat-back or exhaust system it will sound glorious.

02/11/2017 - 20:04 |
0 | 0
Alistair Jolly

This isn’t a hot hatchback it’s more like a hatchback on heat

02/13/2017 - 06:32 |
0 | 0
Ellie Kuik

Wow, Audi f*cked up the wheels once again. Hope they have different options

02/13/2017 - 11:55 |
0 | 0

I like the wheels…

02/15/2017 - 13:51 |
0 | 0
Monty4248

As long as there is no car birth involved, its all good… Audi…

02/14/2017 - 03:29 |
0 | 0
AE08

But A45 ///AMG will laugh at it with its inline 4 cylinder 2.0 beast’s heart.
Which is still the best inline 4 cylinder engine in the world.

02/14/2017 - 06:46 |
0 | 0