Bucket Seat: Audi RS3

 

Earlier this week Audi lifted the covers off its latest RS3 Sportback and Sedan. Audi claim these latest renditions of its ever popular mid-size performance cars are the best in its class in terms of acceleration and top speed. They may have a point seeing that the claimed 0-100km/h time is just under the 4 second mark, coming in 3.8 seconds. The Audi RS3 is powered by a 2.5 TFSI engine, boasting 294kW and 500Nm of torque which explains that quick off the line speed to achieve that 0-100km/h time. The cars come standard with the RS dynamic package plus which includes and adaptive suspension with damper control and ceramic brakes. Top speed on the RS3 is capped at 290km/h, all this equates to the RS3 being the best in it class and mentioned before. 

Looks wise, the cars look magnificent, sticking to that new Audi design language with that aggressive look and stance, bight bold launch colours in Kyalami Green and Tangor Red with other eye catching colours available such as Turbo Blue, Python Yellow, Glacier White, Mythos Black, Kemora Grey as well as Daytona Grey which has a pearlescent finish. The roof of the Audi RS3  Sedan can also be ordered in the contrasting Brilliant black for the first time. The cars come standard with 19-inch10-Y spoke design rims wrapped around 265/30 at the front and 245/35 at the rear, The RS Performance mode is specially calibrated to the Pirelli P Zero "Trofeo R" semi-slick tyres which are optionally available factory mounted for the first time. 

Overall this new RS3 is punching big numbers for its price group and with competitors with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz A45S AMG in its sights, this definitely will be one to beat. Everything about this car seems well thought out and packed with performance elements from head to toe, its something that Audi has been doing right in the last 3-4 years and its great to see it translate into all models in their range and not just the higher end models. No exact date as to when the new RS3 will reach our shores locally but with the new A3 launching next week, it shouldn't be too long before we see these beasts on our roads.