Extreme Audi RS 3 LMS racer set to inspire road car

Audi has unleashed the all-new 2021 RS 3 LMS race car it has created for the TCR series and which is claimed to provide stylistic inspiration for the next-generation Audi RS 3 road car.

Aside from the huge rear wing and jutting-out rear spoiler, it's unclear if any of the new aero parts used for the Audi RS 3 LMS will be interchangeable with the road car, but it's safe to say the German car-maker plans to inject some extra visual menace into its next small super-sedan and white-hot Sportback hatch.

Interestingly, the race car sports a pair of ultra-slim LED headlights that could in theory appear on the road-legal RS 3 to help differentiate it from the regular Audi S3.

One thing is for sure, the road-going Audi RS 3 will have lots more firepower than the race car has to play with because while the racer has to make do with a 2.0-litre turbo with power capped at 255kW, its brother with number plates will come with a larger turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder that will muster more than 300kW while producing around 500Nm of torque.

That should ensure a 0-100km/h sprint of potentially less than 4.0 seconds and a top speed approaching 300km/h without the standard limiter.

Already spied testing ahead of its Australian launch later this year, the RS 3 should keep its pair of trademark oval tailpipes as part of the aggressive exterior aesthetic.

Big brakes and a bespoke suspension tune will also be offered, plus a sportier cabin that features a pair of figure-hugging seats.

There's no word on when exactly the new Audi RS 3 will touch down here, but pricing is expected to mirror the $83,000 charged for the outgoing RS 3 Sportback and the $86,500 Australian buyers had to stump up for the sedan.

Audi Sport, meanwhile, has announced that the RS 3 LMS will go on sale later this year with prices expected to kick off at around $250,000.