At January's Detroit motor show Audi unveiled the thumping R8 V12 TDI, and now the German carmaker has revealed the A3 TDI clubsport quattro -- its most extreme interpretation to date of a diesel-powered hatchback.
Due to star at the upcoming 27th annual Lake Wörther Tour (an annual gathering of Audi and VW enthusiasts) in Austria, the red-hot A3's 2.0-litre common rail, fuel injected TDI unit kicks out a hefty 165kW, but even more impressive is the mountainous 450Nm of torque on offer.
Audi quotes a 0-100km/h split of 6.6sec and v-max of 240km/h, which puts it in the same performance ballpark as a Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Power is directed to the chunky rubber -- wrapped around 9 x 20-inch wheels -- via a six-speed transmission and Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system. Stopping power should be more than adequate, as the multi-spoke rims conceal six-piston brake calipers and ceramic discs.
Audi hasn't held back on the visual upgrades either, as the A3 TDI clubsport is adorned by wildly flared guards and doorsills. Its face is distinctly angry, too, thanks to an oversize grille with seven chromed vertical vanes and large brake cooling ducts in the bespoke front spoiler.
The derriere is similarly pumped up, sporting a prominent wing at the trailing edge of the roof and a purposeful looking rear diffuser with an oversize pair of protruding tailpipes.
The motorsport theme extends to the interior, which features aggressively contoured racing bucket seats and an aluminium-trimmed gated gearshift -- a la Ferrari.
Its 'drive select' driving dynamics system allows the driver to vary the throttle response characteristics, the exhaust sound, the level of power assistance for the steering, the cut-in thresholds for the ESP stability-control system and the operating mode of the dampers.
The dampers use Audi 'magnetic ride' technology, enabling them to react to changes in the driving situation with "lightning speed".
Audi has made a concerted diesel push over the past decade, and it claims the success of the oil-burning Audi R10 TDI racing car over the past two years in the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the American Le Mans Series is "clear testimony to this technology's tremendous potential".
No news on production plans for the oversexed oiler, but the way Audi is augmenting its model line-up of late, we wouldn't bet against it...
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