REPORT: 2011 Audi RS3 gunning for Focus RS, hybrid A3 on the way
The all-new Audi A3 is right around the corner and that means a new RS3 will follow soon thereafter. According to Autocar, the new four-ringed hot hatch will be motivated by the TT RS' twin-turbocharged, 2.5-liter five-cylinder, putting out approximately 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque through a new, beefed-up seven speed dual-clutch gearbox. Naturally, motivation will be sent to all four wheels through Audi's Quattro system, and a new torque-vectoring differential will be tasked with getting all that grunt to the ground. The new A3 is expected to debut in 2011, with the RS3 variant coming the following year. Also in 2012, Audi is rumored to begin fleet trials of its new A3 equipped with TwinDrive – the same system set to be employed on the hybrid Golf – which utilizes a 105 hp, 1.6-liter diesel-powered four-pot that joins a 30kW motor to aid the front wheels and another set of 30kW in-wheel motors to power the rears. A 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack will be mounted in the floor of the trunk, receiving electricity from a combination of regenerative braking and (supposedly) a plug-in charger. When equipped in the Golf, the TwinDrive system will reportedly power the hatch up to 31 miles on electricity alone.
[Source: Autocar (1) (2)]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
smythe 3:39PM (5/06/2009)
will that is a tough task, but in the looks department it looks way better than the focus.
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Erik 3:53PM (5/06/2009)
I disagree. Focus wins the beauty contest IMO.
C.W. 4:09PM (5/06/2009)
agree with erik... focus is absolutely gorgeous. unlike anything else out there.
audi_arena 4:18PM (5/06/2009)
I agree as well- while this thing looks great, it's not a definitive win over the badass focus. I LOVE that these hot hatches are becoming a segment; PLEASE let Audi come back to WRC with this car!!! I would love to see Ford/ Subaru/ Mitsubishi / Audi / Pugeot duke it out!
Rick 5:03PM (5/06/2009)
Sorry, but there's no way in hell the Focus is better looking than this A3. The Focus is so stiff and boring no matter how fast it is or patriotic you are.
Chris 11:07PM (5/06/2009)
Focus RS > Audi RS3
...looks and all...
Heimbachae 3:39PM (5/06/2009)
THIS JUST IN: coming to america.... we think not.
...and we all sigh
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9600baud 3:53PM (5/06/2009)
in addition! another cross-suv-whatever thing will be released in America!
Chris 11:10PM (5/06/2009)
sooooooooooooooooooooo tired of SUVs and crossovers
Alex 3:41PM (5/06/2009)
Yeah, Americans would never want something this fun.
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Auari 3:43PM (5/06/2009)
Well if they won't release the S3 in the USA, because it would compete with the low selling R32, they will definitely not sell the RS3
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Randy915 5:41PM (5/06/2009)
You have a point about the S3 competing with the R32 but the RS3's pricetag will place it at a different tier than any VW. But I don't think it'll come either because it won't make sense to have A3 and RS3 but not the S in America. sigh....
Serge 3:44PM (5/06/2009)
Ford needs to give the Focus an AWD option!!! Not that it's lacking much without one... but it would be unstoppable with AWD.
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nardvark 4:02PM (5/06/2009)
It'd be heavier. And have another 10% of drivetrain losses. Why would this be a good thing when they've solved the torque-steer issues without it? All it would do is suck more gas and give it a slightly faster straight-line 0-60 time.
Hamhock 3:59PM (5/06/2009)
...especially when some member of the EcoBoost family finds it's way under the hood...that would rock!
Tessai 4:02PM (5/06/2009)
woohoo! $40k hot hatch!
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FSM 4:18PM (5/06/2009)
I don't think so. The A3 with the 3.2 L engine and Quattro was being sold for ~$40k with options. I think this will be pushing $45k-$50k.
EXP Jawa 3:58PM (5/06/2009)
Does anyone else find it funny that Audi has their sights set on a Ford?
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NS 4:38PM (5/06/2009)
Well, first they need to stop competing with Chrysler and Fiat on reliability ... I know, I had an A6.
Erik 4:55PM (5/06/2009)
Despite their marketing efforts, I have never viewed Audi on the same level as BMW/MB. Audi competing with Ford sounds reasonable to me.