[gruff500]

I have to admit I'm another not currently sold on its looks, one of the media articles tells us that an untrained eye would struggle to differentiate it from a baseline TDi model - surely that can't be good for a circa £41k+ 'bonkers' RS model? I think the current model at least manages that aggressive stance but, as has been said, perhaps it will look more purposeful in the flesh?

And, having said that. I've no doubt that the handling and technical delivery of the car will be a noticeable improvement from the current model. How much is hard to say, so I'll be waiting along with the rest to try one first to see if it has the RS character and heart beat.

As an aside, I've owned numerous sports cars from TVRs through to AMGs and the RS3 is still the best all round car I have ever owned - it has its flaws but I've still found that it puts a smile on my face after 2 years of ownership, and I still love the way it can show a clean pair of heels to pretty much everything else out there on the road at the moment :-)

[PT3]

 

 

 

It's a mini RS6 from the front. 

[PT3]

Let's be honest they struggled to sell the current model, 500 sold like hot cakes the last 250 didn't.

Having said that there was a rumour about cancelled orders as customers got fed up of waiting and it got slated in the motoring press.

This one gets a good review but will people pay the extra money? Price alone might keep it exclusive.

 

True.  Being based on a +10year model didn't help.  I know that there was supposed to be some precendence with RS models being made as 'last hoorahs' to the model, but I'm not convinced this applies anymore to current markets or the market our RS3 was sold in.  Audi were clearly just testing the water, which is why they didn't spend much money on the development. It appears they've spent much more money and time on this version.

 

The last 250 were around just before the new A3 was coming out.  I'm still not convinced the new model will be much more than the old one, and let's not forget inflation....

 

£40000 4 years ago =  £46500 now.

 

Despite that, it may sell a few more numbers long term but the market is still limited.  How many A45 AMG's are there - about 650.

 

 

The best thing I'm looking forward to:  100% torque available to rear axle.  Well done Audi, let's hope the reality is as good as theory.

[JonnyG]

I think there is a bit more flaring of the front arches compared to the S3 ?

 

 

Attached Files

•  Audi-S3.jpg   50.12K   9 downloads

[PT3]

Yes, the front arches are flared.  It's just the rears that weren't...again!

[PT3]

The new RS3 is not enough of an upgrade for me as already said the MK1 RS3 seemed like a bit of a prototype but that's kind of part of its charm. The MKII does appear to be what the MKI should have been though.

Now A3 clubsport Quattro that I would swap for.

It's a completely new car?

[dbm]

The best thing I'm looking forward to:  100% torque available to rear axle.  Well done Audi, let's hope the reality is as good as theory.

The system is no more capable than the Haldex we already have. You can only achieve '100% of torque to the rear' by having your front wheels on ice...

The torque vectoring may be more sophisticated and the chassis will, of course, be superior.

[Jmcnamee98]

It's a completely new car?

Appreciate it's a completely new version I mean for me not sure the MKII offers enough reasons to upgrade from a MKI RS3. The money would be better put towards Sportec flared rear arches, MTM twin exhaust, ceramics and a haldex controller. I would say you'd have a much more capable car then. A mapped MKI RS3 is a lot quicker than a std MKII. The brake setup seems the same so there's no guarantees all the niggles there will be resolved.

[PT3]

No more capable, but programmed differently.

[PT3]

[P_G]

Just received this from Audi;

 

 

 8V RS3 Spec 1.jpg   71.11K   30 downloads

 8V RS3 Spec 2.jpg   63.13K   32 downloads

 8V RS3 Spec.jpg   31.18K   24 downloads

 8V RS3.jpg   40.65K   17 downloads

Edited by P_G, 15 December 2014 - 12:45 PM.

[Kelza]

Any prices yet P_G ?

[P_G]

No mention of prices. If anything, I have to say I'm disappointed at how little extra torque there is whilst I appreciate it can't be seen to be beating it more senior RS6 and R8 models. Surely by now Audi appreciate they aim at different customer bases with limited cannibalisation. 

 

Notice it comes with Nardo Grey and Catalunya Red as RS3 exclusive options

Edited by P_G, 15 December 2014 - 12:58 PM.

[A18KNY]

Nardo grey will be awesome cant wait to get it

[MacD]

Nardo grey will be awesome cant wait to get it

Didn't I see you'd ordered the limited edition RS4?

Did you cancel that then?

[A18KNY]

Yeh i swapped over my deposit to the RS3, the limited RS4 was good but options didnt tick all of the boxs. I was going to swap and spec a standard RS4 with nimbus grey paint but then the RS3 was launched. Plus the mrs wants to keep her golf also so means its a garage queen for 6 months a year and 66k is alot to sit doing not much.

[P_G]

I'll be interested to see how much Nardo Matte would be, if it looks anything like the C7 RS6 on Fortitude it is the one for me. 

[A18KNY]

From speakin to the sales man at Audi, the nardo grey will be same price as a metalic paint at around 650, but ill believe it when i see it

[P_G]

Nardo grey metallic will no doubt be a £650 option like Suzuka, I fear Nardo matte will still be classed as 'Exclusive' and £2k

[A18KNY]

I think so to, hope its an option though