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AUDI

Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)

Baby RS for A3

Ingolstadt gives 340hp treatment to rival BMW's forthcoming 1-series M

The much-anticipated RS3 has been revealed by Audi for the first time. The souped-up five-door hatchback comes at a time the A3 is about to come to the end of its current generation form. It will rival BMW's pending 1-series M, in which Munich is also set to give its smallest model _ albeit a coupe{aac} body _ a swan song before an all-new replacement arrives in 2012.

To RS3 gets the same 340hp/450Nm 2.5-litre inline-five turbo engine from the TT RS. The blown petrol unit is coupled to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and four-wheel-drive system. Audi claims a 4.6sec time for the 0-100kph run and an 11kpl average economy.

Some components in the front suspension are made from aluminium to reduce weight. The same goes for the flared wheel arches that are derived from carbonfibre composites.

The RS3's ride height has been lowered by 25mm from the stock A3, while 19-inch rims with 225/35 and 235/35 section tyres have been applied on the front and rear ends respectively. There's an ESP system that can be totally switched off.

Five-pot turbo comes from TT RS.

To differentiate the RS3 from the regular A3, there are xenon lights, specially designed apron, intakes and grille up front. At the rear are diffuser and twin oval exhaust pipes. There's an all-black interior with sporty trimming and bucket seats to underline the RS3's performance status.

Audi says deliveries of the RS3 start early next year at a price of 49,900, roughly translating to some B6m in Thailand including tax. As with other RSs, the RS3 is unlikely to come to Thailand on an official basis. Tuning specialists like ABT and MTM could take an interest in selling them via their Thai agents.

KEY QUESTION:

Will the 1-series M _ powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six and rumoured to produce 350hp _ be able to match the RS3's 0-100kph acceleration time?

RS3 goes from 0-100kph in 4.6sec.

Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)