Friday 12th July 2019

ABT pumps Audi RS3 up to 470hp

For RS3 owners put out of joint by the imminent A45, ABT has a solution...

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The latest Audi RS3 is a very easy car to like quite a lot. While the previous versions have always been admired for that glorious, award-winning five-cylinder engine, the leaden dynamics have made them less than perfect as driver's cars. Although the latest example is hardly an Impreza with Virtual Cockpit, it is better than it ever has been. And it's available as a saloon, which is cool.

The RS3's time as the most powerful hot hatch is coming to an end, though; it will now be surpassed by its 421hp A45 nemesis that arrives soon. Until another RS3 comes, presumably to raise the power stakes yet further, ABT has this: the RS3 with Power S upgrades.

With just a remap and an uprated intercooler, this RS3 makes 470hp and 398lb ft, up from 400hp and 354 as standard. Expect a couple of tenths to be taken from the 4.1-second 0-62mph time, and the top speed is up to 177mph - a whole 3mph from the (optional) 174mph on offer before.

A nice upgrade in and of itself, although ABT offers even more to make the most of it. Forged wheels weighing just 8kg each are available, which will surely help the car feel less ponderous, as could ABT's own anti-roll bar and sports spring kit. Beefier brakes can also be added, with carbon parts and ABT logo door light projectors there if you really, really must.

Typical tuning grievances aside, the thought of an Audi A3 with more power than a 911 Carrera S is quite an exciting one. Especially the more unassuming four-door. The standard RS3 is now selling from £40k, with this white saloon looking the perfect innocuous donor on which to unleash some ABT anarchy. There are more upgrades on the way, too...

6

[steveb8189]

Farting its way around a street near you shortly...

[Harry_523]

Dont litchfeild get these to 500hp?


Edit: Yes - https://www.litchfieldmotors.com/audi/rs3-8v-2017

[dukebox9reg]

Its a shame, unlike the ABT tune on the new Cupra Leon they don't do a warranty backed map for 500-600 quid.

That would be more news worthy as there's still not that many people who are happy tuning their new lease car.....

[A1VDY]

Birmingham back street garages run by da Boyz in da hood get these to over 500hp with no problem.
With low speed limits and clogged UK roads this is just whats needed..

[Jon_S_Rally]

The cheerful PH crowd are out in force in this thread I see

[Meridius]

Harry_523 said:

Dont litchfeild get these to 500hp?


Edit: Yes - https://www.litchfieldmotors.com/audi/rs3-8v-2017

ABT do a 'Power-R' upgrade that is 500hp as well.

[Court_S]

Jon_S_Rally said:

The cheerful PH crowd are out in force in this thread I see

It does appear that way!

I like these; the five pot sounds lovely.

[simonbamg]

A1VDY said:

Birmingham back street garages run by da Boyz in da hood get these to over 500hp with no problem.
With low speed limits and clogged UK roads this is just whats needed..

don't the low speed limits and clogged roads apply to every car ever made with over about 50bhp ?

[Frimley111R]

This really doesn't need more power, just a decent chassis.

[Terminator X]

It is a 500 / 500 engine held back in the factory by Audi. Lord knows what ABT are doing to "only" get 398 ft2 torque!

TX.

Edit - whilst I appreciate that it is their "thing" they should be shot for ditching the oval exhausts

Edited by Terminator X on Friday 12th July 13:58

[Terminator X]

Frimley111R said:

This really doesn't need more power, just a decent chassis.

It already has one unless you is on track chucking it around bro.

TX.

[Dave Hedgehog]

Terminator X said:

Frimley111R said:

This really doesn't need more power, just a decent chassis.

It already has one unless you is on track chucking it around bro.

TX.

or drive over 5/10ths (former owner of 2 RS3's )

[banny650]

Terminator X said:

It is a 500 / 500 engine held back in the factory by Audi. Lord knows what ABT are doing to "only" get 398 ft2 torque!

TX.

Edit - whilst I appreciate that it is their "thing" they should be shot for ditching the oval exhausts

Edited by Terminator X on Friday 12th July 13:58

If you listen to Jason Mcghie on the 2.5tfsi page on facebook a tuned one is a ticking timebomb.....

[banny650]

Dave Hedgehog said:

or drive over 5/10ths (former owner of 2 RS3's )

Never a truer word posted in a PH rticle

"Although the latest example is hardly an Impreza with Virtual Cockpit, it is better than it ever has been!

[Dave Hedgehog]

banny650 said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

or drive over 5/10ths (former owner of 2 RS3's )

Never a truer word posted in a PH rticle

"Although the latest example is hardly an Impreza with Virtual Cockpit, it is better than it ever has been!

the thing is 5/10th is so quick your probably looking at a year ban if you get caught in the current anti car climate

the interior is best in class by some margin

[banny650]

Dave Hedgehog said:

the thing is 5/10th is so quick your probably looking at a year ban if you get caught in the current anti car climate

the interior is best in class by some margin

Apart from the A45 there is nothing else really in its class but agree the interior is class

[Terminator X]

Dave Hedgehog said:

Terminator X said:

Frimley111R said:

This really doesn't need more power, just a decent chassis.

It already has one unless you is on track chucking it around bro.

TX.

or drive over 5/10ths (former owner of 2 RS3's )

Absolute BS. I owned one for 2.5 years and 41k miles.

TX.

[GranCab]

Mapped Golf R can do both RS3 an' A45 from the lights - 600 hp easy .. all you need is a back to front baseball cap and some bangin' choons ...

[Gilhooligan]

steveb8189 said:

Farting its way around a street near you shortly...

At least it’s a 5 pot. So doesn’t sound too bad...

[steveb8189]

Gilhooligan said:

At least it’s a 5 pot. So doesn’t sound too bad...

I agree but I live on a small residential road that's a bit of a cut through and we've got 2 S3's and an RS3 driven by tits who seem to want to make themselves heard. With the exception of an CLA35 they're by far the worst offenders