FANS of Audi’s new 290km/h RS3 pocket rocket received’t have to attend too lengthy earlier than getting their palms on Ingolstadt’s newest hyper hatch, with one keen buyer revealing to GoAuto that first deliveries are set to begin in March.
A part of an unique Audi company program, the shopper stated members got an unique sneak peek on the new mannequin forward of its worldwide debut together with a number of of its key specs earlier than being requested if they’d be concerned with securing one.
“There could also be some compromises although as a result of they’ve obtained this scarcity of microchips, so we don’t know if the primary lot goes to return in with sunroofs or what kind of issues they’ve obtained,” the shopper stated.
“Being one of many first, we’d must make some sacrifices or we simply sit there and say ‘look, we’re simply not getting the automotive so we’d properly look forward to the second supply’.”
GoAuto understands the brand new RS3 will brandish a price ticket of round $100,000-$105,000 earlier than choices and on-road prices, with the shopper confirming some deposits have already been taken.
A sticker worth like that might mark a rise of round $14,000 in comparison with the present mannequin (from $86,136 earlier than on-roads), nevertheless prospects are set to obtain a heap of recent know-how and a big energy bump.
As reported, the brand new mannequin will as soon as once more function a turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine, now growing 294kW/500Nm – 20Nm greater than its predecessor.
Three new RS Modes might be on provide to assist extract most efficiency from the automotive whereas the brand new rear axle-mounted torque-splitter ought to guarantee a brand new degree of agility (and driftability).
Dialled as much as the max, Audi says its new A45 S challenger will go from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and push on to an final high velocity of 290km/h when fitted with the RS Dynamic package deal and ceramic brakes.
In normal kind the highest velocity is ruled to 250km/h, nevertheless a raised 280km/h limiter will even be optionally obtainable.
In comparison with a daily Audi A3, the RS3 boasts 33mm wider tracks, lowered RS suspension, an aggressive RS physique package, black 19-inch alloy wheels, six-piston brake callipers and a rear-biased quattro all-wheel-drive system on high of the rabid powerplant.
A seven-speed dual-clutch automated would be the solely transmission obtainable.
Contained in the cabin, occupants might be greeted by a flat-bottomed RS Sport multifunction steering wheel, 12.3-inch Audi digital cockpit plus with RS-specific readouts and shows, guide shift gentle, a ten.1-inch ‘RS Monitor’ contact show (once more with RS-specific shows), carbon-fibre instrument panel and RS sport seats.
With the native pricing and full specification but to be formally introduced, Audi Australia would neither affirm or deny the RS3’s arrival time, as an alternative reiterating that it was on observe to be right here within the first half of subsequent 12 months.
The native arm has bought 217 A3s to date this 12 months ending June 30, accounting for simply 3.6 per cent of the $40,000-plus small automotive section because it gears as much as launch the brand new era later this 12 months.
