A3/S3/RS3 Audi RS3 (Spy pics & info)

[Mr Robert]

I notice that the paddles looks relatively short. I like that, the paddles usually gets in the way of my hands when driving floppy gearboxes.

 

[klier]

Do you happen to have fat fingers????

 

[Mr Robert]

Do you happen to have fat fingers????

Big hands.

 

[footie]

Big hands.

You know what they said about a man with big hands.








Big gloves.

 

[Centurion]

I wonder how much interest there is for this car but given the weak status of the A3, an RS model might be necessary from a marketing point of view to elevate the image of the car. In the UK, the Audi TT is the best selling two seater sports car, and the TT-S and TT-RS are quite a common sight. I can't picture the RS3 fairing well against either of them in sales figures. However, a four seater RS3 will probably serve as an interim four seater RS car until Audi uncloth a new RS5 Sportsback or RS4.

 

[Mr Robert]

Ah, but this model caters different needs than those of the TT buyer, and it will deliver the same feel. Need a rear seat and fancy stupid everyday performance, while enjoying a quite discreete appearance? Look no further.

 

[Centurion]

Ah, but this model caters different needs than those of the TT buyer, and it will deliver the same feel. Need a rear seat and fancy stupid everyday performance, while enjoying a quite discreete appearance? Look no further.

They are both based on the Golf architecture aren't they? So it will be a case of same car, different body shape.

 

[south]

The dates match in with what I was told so I believe this is genuine.

No doubt about that. It's a dealer information sheet including the inevitable 'for internal use only'.

You know what they said about a man with big hands.

They wear green pants?


Best regards,
south

 

[Poverty]

I wonder how much interest there is for this car but given the weak status of the A3, an RS model might be necessary from a marketing point of view to elevate the image of the car. In the UK, the Audi TT is the best selling two seater sports car, and the TT-S and TT-RS are quite a common sight. I can't picture the RS3 fairing well against either of them in sales figures. However, a four seater RS3 will probably serve as an interim four seater RS car until Audi uncloth a new RS5 Sportsback or RS4.

Deffo a market out there for a RS3.

Alot of us including me from other vagoc got tired of waiting for an RS3 so got the TTRS, then there are another half a dozen members who would do the same if it wasnt for the fact that they require the practicality of a hatchback.

 

[footie]

They are both based on the Golf architecture aren't they? So it will be a case of same car, different body shape.

They are indeed, but dr Dunkel is right in saying that both cater for different needs. The TT-RS is probably the better handler of the two and because of it's weight will be a bit quicker as well, but Audi have been working hard to improve the handling of this car and I doubt you will see anything like the kind of understeer that is commonplace on this chassis.

If it weren't for the fact that the new A3 is so close I would chose this car before any other RS model, simply because it's got the right engine for an RS car, i.e. it's turboed and secondly it's going to be far lighter than the rest of the 4 dr RS cars.

Remeber what car this car is gunning for and is due to make an appearance around the same time.

 

[footie]

Guess who's driving?





Yeah that's right, it's the boss Stephan Reil himself checking to see that the product is up to his high standards.

And here's a short video during final testing at the N-ring

 

[footie]

Details of the RS3 emerging

Here is how the RS3 nose could possibly look.






Auto Express Car Reviews

It’s official – Audi’s firebreathing RS3 hot hatch is on its way. We brought you spy shots of the most extreme A3 yet testing at the Nürburgring back in Issue 1,121. And while the company has yet to confirm production, these new pictures – which have surfaced on the Internet – settle the argument once and for all.


The RS3-branded components in our shots show details of the new car, including a speedo that reads to 310km/h (192mph) – although production models are likely to be limited to 155mph. The steering wheel-mounted aluminium paddleshifters prove Audi’s seven-speed S tronic gearbox will be standard.


Under the bonnet will sit the potent 2.5-litre turbo five-cylinder engine from the TT RS. This is tuned to give an extra 10bhp, and delivers a massive 345bhp and 450Nm of torque – that will put the car on a par with the Ford Focus RS 500.


To ensure the chassis can cope, it will feature the same hi-tech adaptable magnetic dampers and torque-vectoring rear differential as recent RS models. This is capable of sending up to 85 per cent of power to the rear wheels.


Insiders say Audi is planning to build only 2,700 RS3s – the same figure as BMW’s upcoming 1-Series M Coupé, and is is due to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March.


Spy-shots reveal Audi RS3 is set for production

 

[Human]

^
I wonder why not and if BMW will ever use the magnetic dampers in their smaller cars (1er, X1, 3er etc.) thus in BMW's that does not have EDC as an option

 

[footie]

^
I wonder why not and if BMW will ever use the magnetic dampers in their smaller cars (1er, X1, 3er etc.) thus in BMW's that does not have EDC as an option

Frankly I don't agree with EDC or any adaptive suspension when it's not necessary. If BMW have got the 1M right regarding the suspension, i.e. it has good body control yet is still supple enough to offer a decent ride quality then all EDC adds is the option to soften or harden things but ultimately you will end up in auto mode more times than not.

As for the RS3, it's slightly different in my eyes, with so much more weight over the nose the benefits of magneticride suspension regarding body control is needed in this application as it's reaction are lightening quick, the fact that it also offers a decent ride is a bonus.

 

[as7920]

The red rendering shows the 3 dr yet the prototype is the 5 dr sport back.

Which will it be?

Shame it won't be manual, or will that be optional?

 

[Iamnotme]

The red rendering shows the 3 dr yet the prototype is the 5th sport back.

Which will it be?

Sadly, it will be Sportback-only.

 

[Poverty]

tuned to give 345bhp what a crock of shit.

These are 360bhp engines as stock anyway, marketing just wont allow audi to tell the truth!

 

[footie]

tuned to give 345bhp what a crock of shit.

These are 360bhp engines as stock anyway, marketing just wont allow audi to tell the truth!

I've never seen a FI engine that doesn't make a bit more than quoted.

 

[FC123]

I've never seen a FI engine that doesn't make a bit more than quoted.

I've seen several, Audi tends to be quite conservative on the smaller FI powerplants though.

Regarding Magnetic Ride, I quite enjoy the duality in the S3.

 

[footie]

I've seen several, Audi tends to be quite conservative on the smaller FI powerplants though.

Regarding Magnetic Ride, I quite enjoy the duality in the S3.

I've only witnessed the FI engined cars producing more, be that VAG, BMW or Subaru, no doubt this isn't always going to be the case but one can only speak from their own personal experiences.

P.S.
VAG diesel TDI engines always seem to be on the conservative side I find.