Audi has revealed a 386kW A3 Clubsport Quattro concept ahead of the famous Wörthersee show in Austria with hints of what to expect from the RS3 Sedan.
AUDI HAS REVEALED A 386KW version of its recently released A3 Sedan that will be the star of its show at the upcoming Wörthersee Meeting in Austria (May 28-31), the largest Audi and VW car fan show in Europe. Enter the A3 Clubsport Quattro.
Although it’s officially described as a concept, all rumours are pointing to the A3 Clubsport Quattro being an influence on future Audi production models, including the RS3 Sedan which is due next year.
Under the bonnet of the Magnetic Blue showcar is a heavily reworked version 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine (running a larger turbocharger, with up to 1.5 bar of boost, and air-to-air intercooler) producing 386kW and 600Nm of torque from 2300-6000rpm. The A3 Clubsport Quattro will hit the legal limit (100km/h) in 3.6 seconds.
That’s directed to the road via a strengthened version of Audi’s seven-speed S-tronic dual clutch automatic transmission which runs a taller final drive for improved fuel consumption. That’s hooked up to a quattro all-wheel drive system (which is an electro-hydraulic Haldex-style multi-plate clutch all-wheel drive system) that’s been strengthened to handle the increased torque load.
Compared with a standard A3 Sedan, the A3 Clubsport Quattro has been lowered by 10mm with both stiffer springs and dampers at the front and back. The showcar rides on 21-inch alloys and gets carbon-ceramic brake discs (370mm at the front). These work in conjunction with an air brake integrated into the spoiler housed in the rear edge of the bootlid – claimed to reduce braking distance (when activated by braking at 250km/h-plus) by up to 12 metres because the EBD is able to deliver more braking power to the rear axle due to the increased downforce.
Inside, the four-seater features racing-style seats with heavy side bolstering for the driver and front passenger. The instrument cluster is defined by black faces, red needles and white numbers, while two big buttons on the flat-bottomed steering wheel are used to start and stop the engine and select different Audi drive select modes.
