As Geneva reveals go, you’d be forgiven for not paying the RS3 Mega-hatch your undivided attention. Instead you may have found yourself gawping at the Lamborghini aventador, and revelling in the sure-fire success of the Ferrari 488.
That would be totally acceptable. However what wouldn’t be acceptable is that now you know about the latest stellar offering from everybody’s favourite four-ringed beast, it’s worth giving the RS3 the time of day it so richly deserves.
The RS3 means it’s the latest division of Audi to get the RS treatment, meaning customers will have the ability to cherry-pick the best features offered by the german manufacturer to create a completely personal experience, both in terms of driving style and aesthetics.
Hitting 0-62mph in less than 6.4 seconds the vehicle can whip itself into shape and break a top-speed of 155mph – a figure that can be extended to a jaw-dropping 174mph if you select ‘derestriction’ when it comes to the incredible extensive list of options.
The 2.5-litre engine is fully turbo-charged and equipped with 362bhp. The all-new RS3 Sportback also showcases 34.8mpg, omits 189g/km, and we expect it to be packing a number of features that have made efficiency a big-part of many of Audi’s latest vehicles.
Gear-shifting was once considered mere folly, but the practise bears greater relevance these days as manufacturers tussle over who’s driving experience is the most seamless. Audi will win many friends with their 7-speed S tronic gearbox and the standard implementation of the Quattro AWD system.
Offering 19-inch alloys the vehicle will be 55kg lighter and it’s thin, yet effective side-skirts will be complemented by a rear diffuser. All of this is designed to improve the vehicle’s agility and make it easier to glide through the air at a staggeringly quick rate.
The RS3 is the latest vehicle to light-up Geneva and we’ll continue to cover all the show’s tand-out performers over the course of the week, so be sure to keep checking back here for all the news filtering out of the famous convention.
