Run-out Audi RS3 GT testing at Nordschleife
The current RS3 can't be long for this world - get ready for the send off special edition
Audi has rich recent form when it comes to limited editions. Just as performance products are coming to the end of their life, they come really good thanks to a raft of cleverly chosen upgrades. The RS4 was markedly improved in Competition spec, complete with coilovers, superlight wheels and sticky tyres; the R8 GT was a superb send off for a supercar icon. And who could forget the RS6 GT, complete with its IMSA-style livery and bespoke suspension? When Audi Sport have put their minds to it in the past couple of years, they’ve really delivered the goods.
Now it looks like another special Quattro is soon to join the ranks, with what appears to be an RS3 GT testing on the Nordschleife. Hopes would be extremely high for another great Audi, given both the quality of the cars mentioned above and the fact that the base car is already very good indeed. The RS4 went from forgettable to fantastic thanks to its Competition overhaul, so it’ll be fascinating to see where the best-driving RS3 yet made can reach in what must be a final outing for the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo.
Obviously there are no official details for the moment, however what’s clear to see on the test car are aerodynamic changes up front - note the flics at the side, plus an additional splitter - as well as a slightly different rear spoiler. Note as well the blue calipers; standard ceramic brakes wouldn’t be a crazy assumption for a GT or similar, and neither would super sticky tyres, given the availability of Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R in certain markets. It’s the rubber that’s been used for record attempt RS3s, and you can bet Audi has its eyes on the compact car crown once more, having been gazumped by the BMW M2 of late. Our spy sources said the GT was endurance testing rather than setting laptimes, and was there for an extended period. If this is the end of the RS3 as we’ve known it for 15 years - i.e. an A3 flagship with that engine up front - then beating BMW on circuit would be some way to go.
Should the RS3 follow those Audis that have also sported the badge, we can expect very limited numbers, a distinctive appearance and a burly price for this hot hatch. Remember the RS6 GT was knocking on for £180,000, and the R8 was £200,000. So this could well be a £100,000 RS3, crazy though that might sound. But then the CS is almost a £100,000 BMW M2, so it might be argued that’s just sort of par for the course right now. The interior seems likely to get a jazzing up as well, complete with a lot of Alcantara, maybe some racy carbon seats, and miles of contrast stitching. You know how it goes with limited editions. Power seems unlikely to change much, though given there was a 407hp RS3 Performance available for Europe a couple of years back - complete with 186mph potential - a GT seems unlikely to be any slower. Let’s see. We’ll know for certain when the RS3 makes it to market next year.
Picture credit: Baldauf
tty EV power.my house front and back doors as they are.
Very honest response
Mind you I remember buying my first 3dr Cosworth when they were new and that was a big leap in cost from an Escort Turbo at the time for someone in their early 20’s
Mind you I remember buying my first 3dr Cosworth when they were new and that was a big leap in cost from an Escort Turbo at the time for someone in their early 20’s
To be honest I got fed up of people pulling alongside me at traffic lights and trying to get me to race them
So I removed the Cosworth badge and put a 1.6 L badge on (as people were buying g 3dr Sierras and putting the Cosworth adenda on them)
If some hot shot pulled up next to me then, they’d be laughing as it would be a look alike in their eyes….
Oddly I never had that happen with my RS500.
the same is for Donkervoort GTO models and the F22 model which uses those engines from Audi, in their latest models the F22 they have 500ps
now they have a new model also because Audi stops? with the 5 cill, but what that new engine is?
its also with a turbo, but all special parts, very curious what engine they chose and if there still will be a connection with Audi...
I guess respect is due to anybody who can drop £100k on an A3, without whom the likes of me wouldn't be able to pick one up for 25% of the price in 10 or so years.
the same is for Donkervoort GTO models and the F22 model which uses those engines from Audi, in their latest models the F22 they have 500ps
now they have a new model also because Audi stops? with the 5 cill, but what that new engine is?
its also with a turbo, but all special parts, very curious what engine they chose and if there still will be a connection with Audi...
Misha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZBBoYB5B3s
the same is for Donkervoort GTO models and the F22 model which uses those engines from Audi, in their latest models the F22 they have 500ps
now they have a new model also because Audi stops? with the 5 cill, but what that new engine is?
its also with a turbo, but all special parts, very curious what engine they chose and if there still will be a connection with Audi...
Misha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZBBoYB5B3s
was fun to watch though.
edit: just checking my daily/weekly cars als donkervoorts, I bet its this car at the Ring, the one of 3 with such scary gearbox
https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/donkervoort/d...
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