Full details: 2018 Audi RS 3 Sportback
Added power and extra equipment for spicy five-potThe 2018 Audi RS 3 Sportback has arrived in Australian showrooms promising more power and added equipment.
Joining the existing RS 3 sedan, the updated Sportback now offers identical 294kW/480Nm outputs from its fiery 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine, up from 270kW and 465Nm in the predecessor.
The corresponding 0-100km/h has improved markedly, from 4.3 seconds to 4.1 seconds, helping the German outgun key rivals including the Mercedes-AMG A45 (4.2 seconds) and the similarly priced BMW M140i (4.6 seconds).
On request, the top speed of the Sportback, which comes standard with an S tronic seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, can be raised from 250km/h to 280km/h.
Key to the car’s performance improvements are a 26kg weight reduction in the engine, thanks in part to an aluminium crankcase, along with dual injection and higher turbocharger boost. Fuel consumption has risen incrementally, to 8.4L/100km combined.
Audi Australia claims it has loaded the RS 3 Sportback with additional equipment corresponding with a price hike of $2284, to $80,900 plus on-road costs ($4000 less than the sedan).
Standard fare now includes Audi’s ubiquitous Virtual Cockpit display (a 12.3-inch digital screen in the driver instrument cluster), a 180-watt 10-speaker sound system, in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, digital radio and Audi parking system plus with rear view camera.
On the safety front the RS 3 incorporates side assist, active lane assist and adaptive cruise control, but no automated emergency braking.
Carryover features include 25mm lower suspension, bigger 310mm brake discs, 20mm wider wheel tracks, wider wheel-arches wrapped around 19-inch alloy wheels and 235/35 tyres, RS bodykit, bespoke interior with leather sports seats and flat-bottom steering wheel, LED headlights and Audi drive select, which alters the car’s transmission and engine management, exhaust flaps and adaptive damping.
Mild styling changes extend to a revised front bumper with larger air intakes.
The RS 3 Sportback is available in showrooms now.
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