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Audi Confirms Ultra-Über-Hot RS3 for the U.S.!

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2015 7:24 pm
by Sabre
Car and Driver

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Audi of America CEO Scott Keogh has finally confirmed what we’ve long suspected: The 367-hp RS3 is coming to the U.S. We’ve been optimistic about that car’s chances for the States since way back in 2012, when we had the above RS3 sedan rendering commissioned. As Keogh points out in comments to Automotive News, the sedan would be better suited to our market than the equally cool RS3 hatchback currently on sale in Europe.

Today’s U.S.-market Audi A3 landscape includes a sedan, a cabriolet, and the 292-hp S3 sedan. (The A3 e-tron plug-in-hybrid hatchback soon will join the group.) As Keogh states to AN, he thinks the RS3 is “going to be a great positioning car, a great halo car. I’m very confident we’ll see that car in the market. That’s as far as I’m going to go.” When we reached out to Audi for comment, a spokesperson told us that while the car has not yet officially been signed off on, the company is “optimistic” and expects to bring it Stateside.

We’d agree with Keogh, however. Even though it very righteously tramps all over the larger S4’s toes, the RS3 is balls-out awesome—we know this because we’ve driven the Euro-market hatchback variant. The sedan Audi sends stateside should get that car’s 367-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, and Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Audi quotes a zero-to-60 time of just 4.3 seconds, and top speed is limited to either 155 mph or 174 mph, depending on which option packages buyers choose.
:banana2: :bansex: :hitit:

Re: Audi Confirms Ultra-Über-Hot RS3 for the U.S.!

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2015 9:30 pm
by ElZorro
I'm really excited about the car, but dreading the price tag...

Re: Audi Confirms Ultra-Über-Hot RS3 for the U.S.!

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 6:45 am
by drwrx
I'm sure it will start in the $50k realm. The CLA 45 starts at $49, so the RS3 will have to be higher than that.

Re: Audi Confirms Ultra-Über-Hot RS3 for the U.S.!

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 8:47 am
by zaxrex
No hatch, sedan only.

Re: Audi Confirms Ultra-Über-Hot RS3 for the U.S.!

Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:00 am
by Sabre
zaxrex wrote:No hatch, sedan only.
Maybe in a couple of years?

Re: Audi Confirms Ultra-Über-Hot RS3 for the U.S.!

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:11 am
by Mr Kleen
Sabre wrote:
zaxrex wrote:No hatch, sedan only.
Maybe in a couple of years?
Yes, in a couple years Americans will finally realize how great modern hatchbacks and wagons are. I'm sure of it!

:oops:

Re: Audi Confirms Ultra-Über-Hot RS3 for the U.S.!

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 7:02 am
by drwrx
Mr Kleen wrote:Yes, in a couple years Americans will finally realize how great modern hatchbacks and wagons are. I'm sure of it!
No sir! I for one will never accept the presence of hatchbacks or wagons on American roads! They have no place in our motoring society! Their very existence is a blight on the glorious automotive landscape!

... What's that? You say I have owned 6 in my life so far, and currently have 2 right now?
Ah...

Re: Audi Confirms Ultra-Über-Hot RS3 for the U.S.!

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 1:31 pm
by Mr Kleen
I may have to report this on my next SF50... ;-)

Re: Audi Confirms Ultra-Über-Hot RS3 for the U.S.!

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 2:40 pm
by Sabre
Gimmie my first!!!!!