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2015 Audi RS 3 revealed with 270kW and 465Nm

Audi has revealed its 2015 Audi RS 3 which boasts 270kW and 465Nm of torque with a 0-100km/h sprint of just 4.3 seconds. Gets its global reveal at Geneva Motor Show.

AUDI IS CALLING its 2015 Audi RS 3 a “world-beating car meets class-conquering engine”. That class-conquering engine is a poked and prodded 2.5-litre five-cylinder TFSI petrol engine (the current international engine of the year in the 2.0-2.5L category) producing 270kW and 465Nm of torque available from 1650-5500rpm.

“There is a long tradition of five-cylinder engines at Audi,” says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Board Member for Technical Development at Audi.

“In the 1980s, they turned Audi into a sporty brand, both in motor sports and in production. The new Audi RS 3 Sportback features the latest generation of our 2.5 litre, five-cylinder engine – the most powerful production engine in the modular transverse matrix.”

2015 Audi RS 3 revealed

The 2015 Audi RS 3 will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Between now and then you can expect Audi to make much of this car’s link back to the original five-cylinder quattro terrors of the 1980s.

This second-generation RS 3 enjoys, thanks to high-strength lightweight steel, a 55kg weight reduction compared with its predecessor, weighing just 1520kg at the kerb. And it’s quick too, able to get to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds and on to a 250km/h limited top speed, although Audi says those buyers with regular Autobahn access can have the limited raised to 280km/h upon request.

To get all its power to the road, the 2015 RS 3 runs a seven-speed S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive with a lighter (by 1.4kg) hydraulically activated multi-plate clutch. The torque split is constantly varied with between 50-100% of available torque able to be sent to the rear axle if required.

To capture the glorious off-beat sound of the five-cylinder engine, Audi has fitted the RS 3 with a two-stage exhaust with the option of paying more for an “even richer-sounding sports exhaust”.

2015 Audi RS 3 revealed

The RS 3 sits 25mm lower than the A3 Sportback on which it’s based and the track of the McPherson front suspension has been widened to 1559mm. The rear axle, which has a track width of 1514mm, is a four-link construction. This is a reworked version of the setup under the third-gen Audi S3.

Magnetic ride control will be available as a cost option and offers active damping via Audi drive select through four modes: comfort, auto, dynamic and individual modes. Similarly, beyond the beefy standard brakes, cost optional carbon fibre-ceramic brakes will be available for the front.

Visually the RS 3 stands apart from its A3 siblings courtesy of its RS badges as well as the honeycomb-look front grille and gaping air intake below the numberplate carrier. The rear gets a similar reworking. Those wanting to set their car apart will be able to order 19-inch matt titanium or high-gloss anthracite black machine polished alloy wheels as an alternative to the 19-inch five-arm rotor design fitted as standard.

2015 Audi RS 3 revealed

Inside, the new RS 3 gets sports seats with cost-optional lightweight bucket seats available. Gloss anthracite black is used to frame and highlight the black-faced, red-needled dials with white scales. A driver’s information system shows boost pressure indicator, an oil temperature gauge and a lap timer. The infotainment and driver assistance systems available on A3 range are also available, including MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and Audi connect bringing internet-based services to the car.

There’s no word yet on pricing for Australia, or when we’re likely to see it here. We’ll know more after the reveal at Geneva.


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Isaac Bober

Isaac Bober