New Audi RS 3 range to top $80,000

Audi’s new RS 3 sedan and updated RS 3 Sportback will cost more than $80,000 when they go on sale Down Under from June and late 2017 respectively.

The “early $80K range” indicative pricing for both models will make the RS 3 hot hatch, which is currently listed at $78,616 (plus on-road costs), more than five per cent pricier than both the model it replaces and its only direct rival, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 ($78,315 plus ORCs).

The good news, however, is that broader, upgraded RS 3 line-up will not only include a sedan for the first time, but more standard equipment and more power than its chief competitors, including the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 ($92,215 plus ORCs).

Audi’s new RS 3 sedan and Sportback feature the most powerful production five-cylinder engine ever made – now constructed entirely from aluminium for a weight saving of 26kg.

It now pumps out 294kW/480Nm, which is up from 270kW/465Nm and sufficient for a 0-100km/h time of 4.1sec in both models.

That makes them 0.2sec quicker than the outgoing RS 3 hatch, a tenth quicker than the A 45 and 0.2sec quicker than the CLA 45, both of which run a 280kW/475Nm 2.0-litre turbo four.

On request, an electronically-limited v-max of 280km/h is possible.

Both of Audi's smallest RS models will also include all of the electronic driver assistance and safety technologies offered in the A3 range, plus revised suspension and steering, bigger brakes and a re-tuned quattro all-wheel drive set-up.

Launch Control and a 'Drift Mode' (our words, not theirs) will also be offered as part of Audi’s multi-mode Drive Select system.

Audi’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit will be included in the asking price, as will the RS Sport exhaust system and LED headlights.

Both RS 3 variants will ride on steel springs, with Audi’s Magnetic Ride Control adaptive dampers joining the options list as part of yet-to-be detailed Performance Pack, along with a 370mm/eight-piston front-only Carbon Ceramic brake package tipped to be priced between $10 and $15K.

Irrespective of the price increase, Audi says the RS 3 will remain one of its strongest selling models. In its current form, the RS 3 Sportback accounts for more than a quarter of all A3 sales, and the addition of a four-door sedan body style is expected to increase that figure.

Globally, Audi says the addition of a sedan to the RS 3 range will motivate buyers in markets where Sportback sales have been slow, including China and the US. Overall, Audi anticipates a 60:40 model split in favour of the hatch.

“Based on the success of the RS 3 Sportback – but also the RS 7 -- we see further growth potential in many international markets with an agile and compact sedan,” explained Rolf Michl, head of product marketing at Audi Sport.

“With the A3 sedan we already found a perfect base. It [the RS 3 sedan] will accompany our big success with the RS 3 Sportback, [albeit] with a more ‘international’ body-style.

"The RS 3 Sportback was the top-seller in its first generation, and we now hope to attract more international markets with the Sedan,” he said.

Audi says the changes to the RS 3 Sportback and the introduction of a sedan will improve its already prized position in the segment.

The RS 3 Sportback topped sales charts in Europe, ahead of the Mercedes-AMG A 45 and BMW M135i/M140i, Michl said, adding that an ever wider audience is now in the brand’s sights.

“The RS 3 Sportback is also fundamentally improved. The interior and exterior design, and of course also the totally newly developed aluminium five-cylinder engine, improve the character of our entry RS Sport offering,” he continued.

“Our aim is to further our growth in international markets, including the United States and China, and also in Australia where sedan variants are proving more popular than our Avant models. It’s another step for us becoming a real global player.

“We are launching (the sedan) into Asian and American markets – and also into Australia – before the European markets,” he revealed, emphasising the importance of the model outside of its home market.

Head over to our Reviews section to read our first drive of the new RS 3 sedan and updated RS 3 hot hatch.