Audi has revealed that it is releasing a further 250 Audi RS3 Sportback quattro models into the UK market due to ‘consistent demand’.
The new batch of cars will join the 500 units sold in the UK last year and will carry the same £39,930 price tag.
The Audi RS3 is powered by the marque’s turbocharged, five-cylinder, 2.5-litre engine, which produces 335bhp and 332lb ft torque. The RS3 will sprint from 0-62mph in 4.6sec before hitting its 155mph limited top speed.
External features of the hot A3 comprise 19-inch alloys, flared carbonfibre arches and a prominent roof spoiler.
The RS3’s closest rival is the BMW M135i, which goes on sale in October and costs from £29,995 (three-door) and £30,585 (five door). The BMW produces an RS3-rivalling 316bhp from its turbocharged in-line six-pot motor.
BMW claims that when mated to its 6-speed manual gearbox, the M135i will hit 62mph in 5.1sec or 4.9sec when fitted with its eight-speed auto ’box.
The Mercedes A45 AMG – another of the Audi’s rivals – will be probably be priced from around £35,000 when it goes on UK sale in 2013. It delivers 330bhp from its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine.
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Audi tastic
Of course, the flip side of the 'good looking/nice interior/average driving dynamic Audi' debate is the 'ugly/plasticky/great driving car' - one that springs to mind is the second generation Subaru Impreza WRX I drove when it was new about 10 years ago - fast/great handling car it was - but I coudnt wait to get out of it, it was a truly horrid place to spend any length of time inside and out, albeit old tech by todays standards.
Maybe stylish = dull in some parlance, but I will happily be dull and comfortable looking at the clearly much more 'exciting' types sitting in their 'uber-extreme' driving machines in the many traffic jams I sit in on a daily basis - oh to be exciting and uncomfortable!!
£10-£11K!?
Sorry, don't care how good the Audi is meant to be, the huge price difference says it all,even if you are a good driver, the performance differences will be purely personal, besides most will never be driven anywhere near there potential, i'm not being biased here, but i think the BMW looks much better.
Audi tastic
Honestly - I think the constant critique at Audi products is strange - they are criticised fr making cars that look good and have stunning interiors!!? Its not cool to admit it, but most people want a car that looks good - and is good to be in....as for the driver involvement thing, I agree to a point, but on todays crowded roads you can rarely drive a car anywhere near its limit - get real!
Regarding the RS3, I owned a more real world A3 Sportback TDi S Line DSG a few years back, and I thought it was a great car in most ways - i can see why the RS3 is so desirable......ive now got a new shape A6 S Line, bought at 6 months old for £25k, Im sure a road tester on a race track could critisice it, but REALLY what else could I have bought for that money that I could cover 30k miles per year in such uber-luxury/comfort and at such low cost (it has averaged 45mpg so far......) and yes the interior is beautiful....
My message to the Audi haters, look at the total cost/value/product offering - I think they are unbeatable if you buy them at the right price....(and no - I dont work for Audi!!)
I think you are spot on! I
I think you are spot on! I enjoy the brilliant interior of my Audi every time I drive it, who gives a stuff if it is slightly less capable on a track than some other cars. Comments about lack of ultimate feel and ability are totally irrelevant to 99.9% of users and are trotted out by those who like to kid themselves they have the ability of race drivers and can explore these outer reaches of performance. The opinions of most test drivers is about as trustworthy as that of a banker anyway. I recall a story about Tiff Needell being invited to a test day by a leading tyre manufacturer and being unable to spot any real difference in handling caused by the tyre options fitted to the test cars. However, nearly all of the other magazine testers promptly wrote reams extolling the virtues of the new rubber being marketed by the manufacturer funding the day out. Perhaps they were all better drivers than Tiff or perhaps their opinions had been influenced by the hospitality on offer.
mike_d_dunn wrote: I think
You are missing the point regarding the enthusiastic driver who prefers more involvent and feed back than simply sitting behind the wheel and steering the thing. As soon as these critisms/short comings are raised it's perceived that the enthusiast is someone who drives everywhere at warp speed and the car on it's door handles in every corner. The driver of a good handing car will feel it in a few corners at 30-40 mph, the way it turns in, feedback etc. It's that simple. I agree that a lot of motorist don't car about such things but... BMW sell more cars than Audi and they major on tech and quality as well as acknowledge driving pleasure so more drivers than you think rate enjoyment behind the wheel.
Lastly Audi need to move away from the Russian doll design, most of the range looking largely the same only in varying sizes. BMW were slaughter for this 10 or so years ago, at least they've taken risks with their designs and still they are selling all they can make. Audi need to add some personality and character to their all too clinical range.