From 2017, the Audi RS 3 will be available as a sedan. Introduced at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, the RS 3 Sedan is largely targeted at Asia and the U.S.A, and here's a pictorial comparison of the 2018 Audi RS3 Sedan with the Audi A3 Sedan.
Exterior
The 2018 Audi RS 3 Sedan measures 4,479 mm in length, 1,802 mm in width and 1,399 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,631 mm. Compared to the Audi A3 Sedan, it is 21 mm longer, 6 mm wider and 17 mm shorter, and has a 6 mm shorter wheelbase. A 3D honeycomb grille with a quattro logo along the bottom, large side air inlets, RS-specific front bumper, 19-inch wheels (that can be specified with 255/30 tires), fixed spoiler lip on the boot, unique rear diffuser insert with vertical struts, large oval tailpipes and available exclusive colours Nardo gray and Catalunya red round-up the 2018 RS 3 Sedan's exterior highlights.
Interior
The 2018 Audi RS 3 Sedan has a darker theme for the interior. Driver and passengers are welcomed with illuminated door sills featuring RS 3 logos to a plush cabin appointed with black fine Nappa leather sport seats with RS logos on the backrests or the optional more contoured RS sport seats with integrated head restraints. Another specialty is the RS screen in MMI that has a boost pressure indicator, an oil thermometer and a lap timer.
Other highlights include RS sport leather flat-bottom steering wheel and inlays at the instrument panel and doors.
Mechanicals
Unlike the Audi A3 Sedan, which is available with a variety of three- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, there's just one configuration of the 2018 Audi RS 3 Sedan. Under the bonnet, there's a new 2.5-litre TFSI turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine that dishes out 294 kW (400 hp) and 480 Nm of torque, more than twice what Audi A3 variants manage.
Power is sent to the wheels via the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and distributed between them via the Quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. The RS-specifically tuned ESC offers a sport mode for controlled drifting.
The 2018 Audi RS 3 can reach from 0-100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds and hit a top speed of 250 km/h. Optionally, the electronically limited top speed can be lifted, to reach 280 km/h. Stopping power comes from 370 mm disc brakes with eight-piston calipers at the front and 310 mm disc brakes at the rear. Carbon-fibre ceramic front disc brakes are optional.
