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The first updated 2018 Audi RS 3 Sportback vehicles are arriving in Australia, offering even more performance than its potent predecessor. With a muscular new lightweight 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine, the RS 3 Sportback offers quicker acceleration and sharper dynamics from $80,900 plus on-road costs.
The highlight of the all-new Audi RS 3 Sportback is a newly developed version of the iconic Audi 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine. The heritage of this engine harks back to the legendary Sport quattro S1 Group B rally car of the early 1980s.
The roar of the powerplant is just as iconic as the engine itself, with its unique 1-2-4-5-3 firing order amplified through the standard RS sports exhaust, with active baffles in the rear muffler that can be activated via a dedicated cockpit control.
The new engine has the same 2480cc capacity, but is 26kg lighter and now develops 294kW and 480Nm. The aluminium crankcase counts for much of the weight saving, while dual injection, the Audi valvelift system (AVS) and a high-pressure 1.35 bar (19.6psi) turbocharger contribute to the 24kW increase in power and 15Nm hike in torque.
The extra punch allows the new RS 3 Sportback sprint from 0 the 100 km/h sprint in a blistering 4.1 seconds – 0.2 sec faster than the previous model. Fuel consumption remains responsible at just 8.4 litres per 100km.
The new RS 3 Sportback shows off an even more aggressive stance. At the front, the ‘quattro’ logo sits beneath revised Singleframe grille, while larger intakes feed more air to satisfy the cooling demands of the uprated engine. The thin, precise slivers of light projected by the LED headlights and taillights complement the car’s progressive overall design.
The Audi RS 3 Sportback comes standard with quattro permanent all-wheel drive system and a new, lighter seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, delivering quicker shifts.
Also equipped as standard is the RS sport suspension and red six-piston front brake calipers clamping 370mm ventilated rotors at the front and two-piston calipers acting on 310mm discs at the rear.
Audi RS 3 Sportback feature highlights
- LED headlights
- Audi virtual cockpit with 12.3-inch digital display and specific RS functions
- MMI Navigation plus with MMI Touch and 10GB HDD
- Premium 180w, 10-speaker Audi sound system
- Audi Connect with in-car Wi-Fi hotspot
- DAB+ digital radio
- Audi parking system plus with rear view camera
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
- Comprehensive assistance package including side assist, active lane assist, adaptive cruise control and rear cross traffic assist
In addition, a number of exclusive options packages are available to customers, including the $5,900 RS performance package that combines a choice of four special Audi Sport wheel designs, Audi magnetic ride, the 705w 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and carbon fibre interior inlays.
The all-new Audi RS 3 Sportback is on-sale now, joining its sibling, the RS 3 Sedan, which arrived in June.
Audi RS 3 Pricing (excluding on-roads)
RS 3 Sedan 2.5 TFSI quattro S tronic 294kW $84,900
RS 3 Sportback 2.5 TFSI quattro S tronic 294kW $80,900
