2018 Audi RS3 Sedan And Sportback Details Emerge
If you have been waiting for the 2018 Audi RS3 to make it our shores in all its glory, celebrate. The little devil of a sports sedan is on its way and promises to behave itself. And no, we aren’t getting the Sportback version.
400 hp of power, 480 Nm of torque and all that from an updated 2.5-liter, turbocharged, 5-cylinder engine. They may be small, but the 2018 Audi RS3 sedan and Sportback are not puny by any means.
Being lighter by 26kg than the previous iteration of the sports sedan, the RS3 also boasts of a better power-to-weight-ratio. And the little book says that the higher the power-to-weight-ratio, the better things are in the performance department. There is also the RS suspension setup which is something to write home about.
The new aluminum-block engine of the 2018 Audi RS3 comes mated with a dual-clutch S-Tronic 7-speed transmission and there is permanent Quattro all-wheel drive system to make things interesting. 0-62mph comes up in 4.1 seconds and the Audi RS3 can clock 155mph before the speed-limiter kicks in.
We know that the line on the speed-limiter is never a pleasant one to hear. But here’s the good stuff. If you wish to have your RS3 go faster than 155mph, Audi will be more than pleased to facilitate a revised top speed of 174mph.
Styling revisions on the 2018 Audi RS3 sedan include sporty and aggressive front bumpers with large air intakes, “Quattro” lettering at the bottom of the front grille, twin tailpipes, lip spoiler and a rear diffuser. RS3-specific 19-inch aluminum wheels come as standard. RS3 badging on the front grille and the boot lid sign off the exterior package.
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The interior is a true reflection of its RS family sports sedan identity. The dashboard is crisp. The trim looks sporty. The seats are both great to look at and sink into. The upholstery has that appealing diamond-quilted finish, aptly complemented by contrast stitching.
The Audi Virtual Cockpit is in place and you’ve all the info that the RS range of cars provide their drivers with on the screen. And there are those iconic RS badges in all the right places.
Audi is pitting the 2018 Audi RS3 sedan against the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45.
Going by the details which have emerged so far, the Merc has one hell of contender to deal with now. Exact pricing of the Audi will be announced later. But be prepared to shell out anything between $50,000 and $60,000 for your entry ticket to the RS club.
We chose not to delve into the RS3 Sportback much since the hatchback isn’t coming to the US. But here is the best part, we are getting the 2018 Audi RS3 sedan in summer 2017. And Audi taking the decision to make a compact sedan with the RS tag is one significant development. This move will make the RS brand more accessible to a larger pool of car enthusiasts and buyers.
Next: 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Will Please Manual Gearbox Enthusiasts
More details and images on the 2018 Audi RS3 sedan and Sportback can be found at Audi MediaCenter.