2017 Audi RS3 Sportback aims to trump the Mercedes A 45 AMG
The 2017 Audi RS3 Sportback gets a look in ahead of its Geneva Motor Show debut in March sporting 395bhp and cosmetic titivation.
Almost a year since the Audi A3 and S3 were titivated with a cosmetic facelift and new engines option, Audi finally gets around to delivering a facelift for the range-topping RS3 too.
Apart from the cosmetic titivations, which are pretty much in line with what you’d expect from the quick version of last year’s A3 facelift, the big news is a chunk of extra power and torque.
That means a re-working of the 2.5 litre five-cylinder engine under the bonnet, which gets an aluminium crankcase, dual injection and some clever Audi magic for the valve lifters.
The result of the fettling is an RS3 which delivers an impressive 395bhp and 354lb ft – a few torques and 18bhp more than the A45 – which is driven through a tweaked version of Audi’s 7-speed double-clutch s tronic gearbox to all four wheels thanks to quattro 4WD.
The tweaking and fettling, say Audi, mean the 2017 RS3 can hit 62mph in 4.1 seconds (just shading the A45 by 0.1s) and on to 155mph, although if you want to pay for bragging rights then Audi will take off the limiter and let you go to 174mph.
As well as the extra get up and go, the 2017 RS3 also gets a wider track, 19″ alloys, lower suspension, big black honeycomb grille, butch bumpers, dinky roof spoiler and rear diffuser. Well, it has to look the part.
Audi say they’re starting to take orders for the 2017 RS3 in April (although we’re sure Audi’s dealers will be happy to talk now) with first customer cars in the summer.
How much is the 2017 Audi RS3 Sportback? Audi aren’t saying yet, but it will be between £45k and £50k.
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