We've seen spy shots of the Audi RS3--in test mule form, at least--since last year, but today's new shots confirm Audi is indeed still working on it. The hottest A3-based model had been rumored for a debut at last year's Frankfurt show, but whenAudi didn't deliver, some thought the project might be on ice.
It's alive and well, however, as these shots of an orange-painted S3-badged test mule reveal. Huge mesh airdams in place of the usual foglight location, series of holes drilled under the grill, and a mismatched set of wheels all hint that there's more going on here than a revised S3.
We expect the extra breathing room in the front bumper is there to feed and cool the turbocharged five-cylinder borrowed from the TT-RS, which should be rated at about 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque in the RS3. A more focused suspension treatment and unique front, side and rear aero look will also be part of the package.
Zero-to-sixty acceleration should nip just under five seconds in the RS3, with a top speed of 155 mph (limited) or up to 174 mph with no limiter if Audi follows the same path it did with the TT-RS.
Unfortunately we don't know yet if the car will be sold in the U.S. It's not going to be a volume model, and pricing in the U.S. would be steep, so Audi may reserve the car for Europe and a few other markets where car prices will more easily support a reasonable margin. - motorauthority
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