Friday 13th February 2015

Audi RS3 pricing confirmed

£39,950 starting price for 367hp Audi uber-hatch - just watch that options spend though

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Audi has confirmed UK pricing for its forthcoming second-gen RS3 Sportback, kicking off at £39,950 or around £1,200 more than the previous one. With 367hp and 343lb ft from an updated 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine, a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and - of course - that badge on the nose this could be quite the tool for hot hatch social climbers for whom even an A45 AMG is just a little too plebeian.

Traditionally downplayed looks conceal firepower

But wait. While the RS3 thumps the Golf R's 300hp/280lb ft, with the recent confirmation of four-wheel drive and a power output "in excess of 320hp" could a class war with the traditionally blue collar Ford Focus RS be looming? Pricing has yet to be confirmed for the Ford but how secure can the driver of an RS3 feel when he sees the Focus's grille in his silver-capped mirrors? A £30K Ford Focus is hardly a working class hero but if you think the Audi's premium pricetag will guarantee you ultimate bragging rights on the road you may be in for a nasty shock. Suffice to say, that's a twin test we'll be looking forward to when the Focus hits the market next year.

For now the Audi can enjoy its moment as the undisputed hot hatch powerhouse as orders open in March ahead of summer deliveries. Standard kit includes LED headlights, 'wavy' steel brakes with eight-piston calipers behind 19-inch wheels, Nappa leather upholstery, MMI radio and 'navigation preparation', together with a host of RS-specific trim elements inside and out.

Standard brakes fancy, optional ceramics fancier

Beyond that £39K starting price Audi has yet to confirm the prices of extras like those market sector first ceramic brakes and additional cost options including adjustable dampers and fancy 7kg lighter RS bucket seats. But it goes without saying a £50K bottom line will be very easily achievable. Including the optional sports exhaust in that options spend will at least enable you to broadcast the RS3's true USP in this sector - an additional cylinder over the throng of four-cylinder rivals, including the Golf R with which it shares its MQB platform.

That Audi has managed to keep this emotionally significant engine format - and associated soundtrack - while keeping a lid on emissions (now 189g/km from 212g/km) is an impressive achievement. The raw pace of the A45's astonishing 360hp 2.0-litre engine and fundamentally similar four-wheel drive chassis may be a match for the RS3. But on a back to back test drive the bassy throb of the five-cylinder Audi is the kind of thing that could easily seal the deal.

We'll see the RS3 in the metal very soon at Geneva and will be driving it not long afterwards. More when we have it...

 

[HeMightBeBanned]

The only thing more ridiculous than the pricing of this tarted up shopping trolley is the fact that people will go out and pay so much money for one of them.

[rhinochopig]

Jesus, it seems that 19" wheels are now the norm. How depressing.

[unpc]

I know that no one would ever be cross shopping a Mustang GT with one of these but it does highlight what spectacular value for money this a'int.

[idibbers]

The ultimate 'small-sausage' car.

[Nors]

I guessed that the first post would refer to it's price and 'It's just a hatchback'.

[joshc]

How does Audi justify the price tag? You can get the V8 version of the UK Ford Mustang for £33k new, which has 420 horsepower and 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.

[dufflecoat]

What an incredibly bland way to spend £40k

[Dave Hedgehog]

joshc said:

How does Audi justify the price tag? You can get the V8 version of the UK Ford Mustang for £33k new, which has 420 horsepower and 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.

hardly comparable since the interior in the ford cost £3, it will get 12mpg and put you backwards into a ditch every time it rains

what is pertinent is that the golf r leases for approx £300 a month all in and this with options is going to be around £700

and that it looks far to much like the S3

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Friday 13th February 13:10

[Nors]

joshc said:

How does Audi justify the price tag? You can get the V8 version of the UK Ford Mustang for £33k new, which has 420 horsepower and 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.

I expect 80% of this thread will be comments about price and what else you can get for the money. But you know what? They'll sell every one of them!

[Amirhussain]

Nors said:

joshc said:

How does Audi justify the price tag? You can get the V8 version of the UK Ford Mustang for £33k new, which has 420 horsepower and 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.

I expect 80% of this thread will be comments about price and what else you can get for the money. But you know what? They'll sell every one of them!

I agree. Just going to be another Audi bashing thread.

[Nors]

Dave Hedgehog said:

hardly comparable since the interior in the ford cost £3, it will get 12mpg and put you backwards into a ditch every time it rains

Well that's one set of reasons for sure!

[Fattb]

joshc said:

How does Audi justify the price tag? You can get the V8 version of the UK Ford Mustang for £33k new, which has 420 horsepower and 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.

As above 'they build it people will come' size/performance wise its on a parr with the original RS2/4 give or take, inflation adjusted they were probably as expensive

But i am with you on its just an A3 !

[Dave Hedgehog]

hmm the spec sheet is quite high, LED lights are not cheap

[billzeebub]

Yawn

[Hol]

The European makers really are trying to fill the space currently inhabited by the AWD Jap Rally Replicas.

[Nors]

billzeebub said:

Yawn

Thanks for that extensive contribution, glad you felt the requirement to share it with us.

[Dave Hedgehog]

Hol said:

The European makers really are trying to fill the space currently inhabited by the AWD Jap Rally Replicas.

fill it?? they destroyed it in the UK years ago, subaru pulled out of selling them for a very long period of time as no one was buying them

[Ali_T]

Sweet jesus! £40k? F**k off, Audi!

[alexpa]

2 cars on the planet.

This or Golf R estate? Your paying.

[unpc]

alexpa said:

2 cars on the planet.

This or Golf R estate? Your paying.

Is walking an option?