Wednesday 12th January 2011

Not Driven: Audi RS3 Sportback

'Quattro Fascination' offers first taste of hot new Audi

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The RS3 in Canada...

Audi didn't want any UK 'online media' at its Quattro Fascination event in Canada, which is a shame as we could have had a spin in the new RS3 Sportback and the A1 Quattro.

Autocar went, and a brief skid around the snowy wastelands was sufficient to inform its own (and definitely online - sniff!) report on the RS3. They liked it, saying the car 'has what it takes to trouble the likes of the Focus RS, Renaultsport Megane 250 and VW Golf R.'

We had a brief skim of the web to find out if anyone else likes it yet, and (as of five minutes ago) could only find this review by Honest John (no relation to PH's own HonestGuv). Apparently the new RS3 Sportback's turbocharged five cylinder motor 'fills the cabin with a rich, bass-heavy five cylinder tone', although after a careful re-read it seems Mr John must be referring to the engine as originally fitted to the TT RS.

Meanwhile, we've also got a couple of official pics of the A1 Quattro, which has been exposed to limited media scrutiny in Canada at the same event. (By 'limited' we mean not us...)

...with its A1 Quattro sibling.

We'd prefer Aspen anyway, TBH

A 'one-off development' version of the A1 Quattro is currently undergoing 'a baptism of fire grappling with freezing conditions on Canada's densely snow-packed roads', reckons Audi. 'It reaffirms the brand's commitment to underpin future high performance variants of the A1 with this proven driver aid,' they say.

[///Mike]

Quote "They liked it, saying the car 'has what it takes to trouble the likes of the Focus RS, Renaultsport Megane 250 and VW Golf R "

I would certainly hope so, it costs a lot more and has more power.

I am interested to see how it does in a shoot out against the 1 M Coupe.

Its not a car I would ever consider buying though. I am sure Audi fans will love it but I sit firmly in the BMW camp.

[ticketmaster123]

£40k...really? Surely any petrol head willing to spend £40k on that would rather buy a nearly new M3 instead...or is it just me?

[Dr G]

1 looks cool in the orange albeit a might silly on diddy winter wheels.

RS3 styling doesn't do it for me although I'm certain it'll be entertaining to drive.

[Beefmeister]

Edited by Beefmeister on Wednesday 12th January 10:47

[nonuts]

A1 Quattro with 250bhp+ for a 'sensible' price would be a good shout I reckon.

Shame they didn't invite you guys, sounds like a fun jolly.

[Chris-R]

nonuts said:

A1 Quattro with 250bhp+ for a 'sensible' price would be a good shout I reckon.

Shame they didn't invite you guys, sounds like a fun jolly.

Don't tell anyone, but we were busy anyway...

[stuckmojo]

Well, it would be pretty disappointing if it doesn't turn out to be much better than a megane or a focus which cost tens of thousands of pounds less.

[Guvernator]

Still don't understand why they decided to turn the RS3 into a what is effectively a 4 door estate?? (no matter how they try to dress it up with fancy words)

The A1 quattro doesn't look too bad actually. It'll still be overpriced though.

[CraigVmax]

for me the RS shouldnt be on an A3 size car, unless they make it utterly bonkers, flared wheelarches etc, sportkback thing as well, wrong.

[300bhp/ton]

Is it me or does this mange the perfect balance between minging and dullest looking car sold in the past 50 years?

[kambites]

300bhp/ton said:

Is it me or does this mange the perfect balance between minging and dullest looking car sold in the past 50 years?

I don't know if it's just you, but I certainly don't agree.

[LuS1fer]

[Ali_T]

The RS3 is on Audi's website configurator now. It's even more fun than the Golf R. I've managed to make one cost £54,200 so far.

[300bhp/ton]

LuS1fer said:

[Guvernator]

The Crack Fox said:

Sportback ? It's a feckin' HATCHBACK ! Marketing morons....

That A1 looks like a belated answer to Mini, but less appealing.

Except it's not exactly. A normal A3 is a "hatchback" in the traditional sense of the word. The "sportsback" seems to be slightly elongated, sort of like a cross between an estate and a hatchback. Why Audi felt they had to produce yet another niche in this way is beyond me though.

[FWDRacer]

The A1 has the coolest looking rear lights (at night) of any production car. Full stop. That is all I've got to offer

[Chicane-UK]

[quote]They liked it, saying the car 'has what it takes to trouble the likes of the Focus RS, Renaultsport Megane 250 and VW Golf R.'

[/quote]

The RS3 costs considerably more than all of those cars.. so I'd hope it wouldn't just trouble those cars, rather blow them into the weeds.

Ugh. My dislike for the RS3 (and Audi in general these days) grows with every passing day.

[Chris-R]

FWDRacer said:

The A1 has the coolest looking rear lights (at night) of any production car. Full stop. That is all I've got to offer

Apart from the R8!

[SleeperCell]

Guvernator said:

Still don't understand why they decided to turn the RS3 into a what is effectively a 4 door estate?? (no matter how they try to dress it up with fancy words)

Maybe a half hearted attempt at replicating the RS2?

[iantek]

Thanks Ali T! The car configurator game is an excellent one!

I only managed £48,285.00 for my RS3 Sportback. Can anyone top Ali's £50k+?

I even included Audi Exclusive RS3 Floormats at £450.00. I believe they are woven from Unicorn hair and diamonds.