Friday 13th February 2015
Audi RS3 pricing confirmed
£39,950 starting price for 367hp Audi uber-hatch - just watch that options spend though
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...
