Power and equipment upgrades position new compact SUV range flagship on the rung above its RS Q3 counterpart.

Power and equipment upgrades position new compact SUV range flagship on the rung above its RS Q3 counterpart

• New top model with 367PS and 465Nm slots in above 340PS RS Q3
• Further revised version of award-winning five-cylinder engine good for 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds and 167mph top speed
• Expected to open for UK order later this month priced from £49,175 OTR

The ranks of the new Audi ‘RS performance’ range offering RS enthusiasts even more power and pace have swelled again this week with the arrival of the new RS Q3 performance. 

Joining RS 6 and RS 7 performance variants in the new wave of models positioned above ‘standard’ RS equivalents, the RS Q3 performance uses an increased 367PS output to deliver even more exceptional acceleration on the ascent to an elevated 167mph top speed, and features equipment enhancements which also distance it visually from its namesake.

Five-cylinder fury in the new RS Q3 performance is guaranteed by a revised version of the 2.5-litre TFSI unit which an international panel of automotive journalists has named the “International Engine of the Year” in its category six years in a row. 

Here, the cooling capacity of the main radiator has been increased and the fuel pump has been modified to liberate 27PS more power. Peak torque of 465 Nm (343.0 lb‑ft) is available between 1,625 and 5,550 rpm, helping the top-ranking compact SUV to break through the 62mph barrier from rest in just 4.4 seconds (RS Q3 4.8) and to reach a top speed of 167mph (RS Q3 electronically limited to 155mph), yet the result of the combined consumption test is a creditable 32.8mpg, which corresponds to 203 grams CO₂ per km.

The seven-speed S tronic transmission with tight ratios that complement the engine’s performance characteristics can take care of extremely rapid shifts itself or leave the driver to change gears manually using the shift paddles on the standard RS multifunction steering wheel. 

When the Audi drive select dynamic handling system – a standard feature – is in its dynamic mode each gear change is accompanied by double-declutching.

The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system smoothly delivers the engine’s power to the road via a hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled multi-plate clutch. Power is distributed automatically between the front and rear axles as needed, and even selectively to each wheel thanks to the networked Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC), which features a further enhanced sport mode affording even greater adjustability.

RS-specific sports suspension

Complementing quattro is taut RS sport suspension which lowers the body by 20 millimetres compared with the standard Q3 and perfectly translates the propulsive power into incisive and rewarding handling. RS sport suspension plus with damper control is available as an option, and can adjust the dynamic parameters between  Comfort, Auto and Dynamic settings via the Audi drive select dynamic handling system.

The exterior design with its typical RS design details underscores the distinctive appearance of the Audi high-performance models. These include the purposefully styled bumpers with large air inlets up front, the heavily profiled diffuser insert at the rear and the gloss black honeycomb grilles.

The exterior of the RS Q3 performance is also distinguishable from the ‘standard’ RS Q3 through additional matt titanium-look detailing applied to the frame of the air inlet duct, the Singleframe grille, the lateral flaps in the air inlets, the trim strips at the side windows, the exterior mirror housings, the roof rails, the upper edge of the diffuser and the fins of the roof edge spoiler. 

To maximise the differentiation, the new paint finish Ascari blue metallic is also exclusively available as an option for the RS Q3 performance.

RS-specific 20-inch ‘performance exclusive’ alloy wheels with a matt titanium finish which complements the exterior detailing are standard, and red calipers bearing the RS logo are visible within them. These are also available in black at no extra charge.

The dynamic line of the exterior design is echoed in the interior. The dial instruments feature grey faces, white dials and red needles. Sports seats finished in Alcantara and leather with honeycomb stitching in blue are standard for UK models, and the blue accents are also applied to elements such as the RS sport leather steering wheel, the selector lever gaiter, the centre armrest and the floor mats. Inlays in carbon twill blue, in which a blue thread is woven into the carbon material, continue the theme into the dashboard and door mouldings.

Equipment levels befit the RS badge, and externally include all-LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and tail lights, privacy glass, powered tailgate operation and the Audi advanced key system affording keyless entry and starting. 

Inside, features such as front seat heating, the Audi Music Interface channeled through the 180-watt Audi Sound System, satellite navigation and front and rear parking sensors ensure that the prodigious performance is delivered as comfortably and conveniently as Audi drivers rightfully expect.

Audi UK launched its all-new RS 3 Sportback at the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb.

Audi UK launched its all-new RS 3 Sportback at the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb where 79 years ago Hans Stuck competed in the 16-cylinder Auto Union Type C and Hannu Mikkola took Best Time Of Day in the Sport quattro in June 1986.

Audi's history with the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb made the venue the ideal place to launch their 367 PS RS 3 Sportback which focuses on pure sports positioning and dynamics.

Held over two days, the RS 3 tackled the famous hill climb, the oldest motor sport venue in the world still on its original course, with journalists getting a rare opportunity to test the most powerful production 5-cylinder engine in Audi RS history.

With over 20 cars available in different specs and colours, the hill climb allowed drivers to experience the car to its full potential including the faster shifting gearbox and faster reacting quattro drive.

Drivers were also able to follow a road route from the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, giving further opportunity to test the car on the open road.

Mark Constanduros, Commercial Manager for the Midland Automobile Club said: "This was a wonderful opportunity to welcome Audi back to the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb. With their history it made the venue a very fitting place to launch the RS 3.

"It was great to see their heritage cars on display and other RS models available for test."

Also available were other models from the RS range including the 560PS RS 7 Sportback and RS 6 Avant, the 450PS RS 4 Avant and the 340PS RS Q3.

Capable of 174mph, the five-door RS 3 Sportback is open now for ordering, with first UK deliveries from July at an OTR price of £39,955.

Price & specs announced for 367PS Audi RS 3 Sportback ahead of March on-sale date

• All new second generation RS 3 Sportback available to order in the UK from March 2015 priced at £39,950 OTR - first customer deliveries in summer
• Most powerful production five-cylinder engine in Audi RS history with 367PS and 465Nm from 1,625rpm to 5,550rpm
• 0 – 62mph in 4.3 seconds – 0.3 seconds faster than the previous model – 155mph governed top speed can be raised to 174mph on request
• Lower weight, faster-shifting S tronic twin-clutch gearbox, faster-reacting quattro drive

The all new 367PS Audi RS 3 Sportback is now en route to the UK, and as the most powerful compact hatchback currently in series production will be even more adept at catering for sports car devotees who also need to take care of everyday necessities like the school run and the supermarket sweep.  

Capable of snapping at the heels of exotica with its 4.3-second 0-62mph sprint time and potential top speed of up to 174mph, the new five-door, five-seat Sportback will weigh in at £39,950 OTR. It will become available to order in March and reach its first UK customers in the summer.

The new entry point to the formidable Audi RS range is born of impeccable breeding – it is based on the current World Car of the Year and features the latest evolution of the evocative 2.5-litre five-cylinder TFSI – winner of the International Engine of the Year Award in the 2.0 to 2.5-litre category on no less than five consecutive occasions since 2010. 

Equally reassuringly, it shores up the extraordinary performance and handling produced by bringing these two elements together with the latest generation of quattro all-wheel-drive. 

The 367PS output from the aurally characterful 2.5-litre TFSI is complemented by peak torque of 465 Nm (343.0 lb-ft), which is available right from 1,625rpm through to 5,550rpm, ensuring that huge reserves of performance are always at the driver’s disposal.

With a power-to-weight ratio of 241PS per ton achieved by trimming an additional 55kg compared with the previous RS 3 Sportback, the latest car needs just 4.3 seconds to hit 62mph from rest, and with a suitable stretch of Autobahn to hand could continue to an electronically governed 155mph top speed. Drivers looking for optimal performance can also specify an optional increase to 174mph.

EU6-compliant

Compliance with stringent EU6 emissions legislation confirms that the latest edition of the classic five-cylinder unit is as frugal as it is feisty. With the help of a recuperation system, a demand-controlled oil pump and a new generation start-stop facility which increases the duration of engine ‘downtime’ at each stop, the latest RS model is capable of returning up to 34.8mpg, corresponding to CO₂ emissions of 189g/km.

Butterfly valves in the exhaust system control the exhaust flow and deliver a suitably full-bodied and characterful note that varies with engine load and speed. For the first time in an Audi model at this level, a sports exhaust upgrade which deepens the tone even further is also available as an option. The driver can control the volume and depth of the output in both set-ups via the standard Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system.

A seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission reworked to offer even faster shifts directs the power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system with its redesigned and lightened multi-plate clutch and torque vectoring capability. The clutch is mounted on the rear axle in the interest of balanced load distribution, and the parameters its bespoke RS 3 software works to can be controlled via the Audi drive select system.

Depending on the situation, it can send between 50 and 100 percent of the available torque to the rear axle, and when Audi drive select is in dynamic mode and the ESC Electronic Stabilisation Control system is in its sport setting, power is transferred to the rear sooner and in greater amounts for even greater agility and more direct turn-in.

The state-of-the-art all-wheel-drive system adds a further measure of control and composure to the inherently agile RS-specific chassis with its wider track front and rear, uprated MacPherson strut front suspension with purpose-built lightweight aluminium pivot bearings and four-link rear set-up. The new electromechanical progressive steering system which is capable of varying its ratio as a function of steering input also helps to emphasise the quick-witted feel.

From the driver-focused section of the options list the Audi magnetic ride adaptive damper system can be added to level out ride and handling to an even greater degree, and the steadfast RS-specific disc brakes with their efficiency-boosting wave contour discs, eight-piston calipers and bespoke lightweight friction rings upfront can be further upgraded with carbon fibre-ceramic front brake discs – a first for a car at this level.

Standard LED headlamps for UK versions

Classic RS visual references signal the special qualities that all these features confer to the outside world. In UK specification versions the nose with its high-gloss black, honeycomb-look singleframe grille and pronounced air intakes is set off by standard LED headlamps and daytime running lights. In profile the standard 19-inch alloy wheels snugly filling their arches, flared front wings, chiselled sills, matt aluminium-look mirror housings and large roof spoiler also catch the eye, and the rear with its remodelled bumper and high-gloss black diffuser insert is dominated in each corner by a large, oval RS tailpipe.

Customers can choose from a palette of eight paint finishes to either accentuate or subtly play down the purposeful look – it includes the two new shades Nardo grey and Catalunya red, metallic, the latter available exclusively for the RS 3 Sportback.

In the equally focused interior the standard sports seats are upholstered in Fine Nappa leather with contrasting stitching in rock grey, and the driver’s is perfectly positioned in relation to the flat-bottomed RS multifunction sports steering wheel with its leather and Alcantara trim. 

Stainless steel pedals, Alcantara door inserts and inlays in either 3D design black or optional Aluminium Race or Carbon also signal intent. High-quality applications in gloss anthracite black frame the instruments, which include black-faced dials with red needles and white scales, plus a driver‘s information system enhanced by a boost pressure indicator, an oil temperature gauge and a lap timer.

In addition to LED headlights, standard equipment highlights for UK RS 3 Sportback models include the acclaimed MMI radio with its electrically folding colour screen, navigation preparation, Audi Music Interface iPod connection,  Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, front seat heating and the parking system plus with acoustic and visual guidance. 

Choice options include newly developed RS bucket seats bringing a 7kg weight saving over the standard sports seat, an RS 3 interior design package with red accents on the seats, knee pads, air vents, floor mats and seat belts and MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, which through its Audi connect function beams internet-based services to the car.