Fast times ahead

It’s a good time to be a performance enthusiast, with a host of new Audi Sport machinery heading Down Under in 2020. Audi Australia chose the fitting backdrop of the Bathurst 12 Hour race over the weekend to announce pricing for the 2020 Audi RS 3 and R8 models that will form part of an unprecedented performance assault throughout the year.

Both model ranges are well known to Audi Sport customers and Audi enthusiasts, representing two distinct segments of the Audi performance family. The tremendously popular Audi RS 3 Sedan and Sportback models represent extraordinary performance and appointment in the luxury compact sector, and the Audi performance flagship – the R8 Coupe and Spyder models.

Due to arrive around the third quarter of the year, the compact performance RS 3 Sedan will make a welcome return to market with its award-winning five-cylinder TFSI engine producing 294kW and a massive 480Nm of torque. High-performance coupled with the highest levels of appointment and equipment, the RS 3 in both Sedan and Sportback guise represent the entry point to the RennSport family. Giant-killing performance credentials, luxury accommodation for four adults and a level of practicality not usually associated with high-performance vehicles – the RS 3 is as happy on the daily commute as it is on the track or on a twisting back road.

In 2020, the already impressive standard equipment will be further enhanced with the addition of the superb Bang & Olufsen sound system and Audi phone box light (with wireless charging). Further refining the razor-sharp handling is Audi magnetic ride, which allows even greater tuning of the suspension.

Externally, both the RS 3 Sedan and Sportback will ride on 19-inch Audi Sport wheels and metallic paint will be standard across the range. The RS exhaust system and of course quattro remain, while inside, the Fine Nappa leather upholstery and distinctive diamond stitching, while RS Sport front seats strike the perfect balance of luxury and performance. Pricing for the RS 3 Sportback will be $83,800* with the RS 3 Sedan at $86,500*.

Audi Australia will also introduce a special Carbon edition of the RS 3 models which will add a range of distinctive design highlights, with 19-inch wheels in gloss black, as well as inlays in carbon twill, carbon fibre mirror housings and a panoramic sunroof all as standard equipment. The cars will also receive a glass black styling package and privacy glass, while the Audi four-ringed logo will be rendered in black to complete the effect.

The RS 3 Carbon edition will be priced at 87,200* for the Sportback model, while the Sedan will come in at $89,900.

Occupying another area of the high-performance sphere, the Audi R8 models represent the pinnacle of the Audi Sport range. The brand’s supercar will be offered in Australia in two distinct models – quattro and rear-wheel drive – in both Coupe and Spyder configurations.

The new Audi R8 V10 RWD will arrive in Australia priced at $295,000* for the Coupe and $316,500* for the stunning open-top Spyder. With refined exterior styling and it slick, minimalist interior, the R8 RWD is powered by Audi’s 5.2 litre V10 normally aspirated engine, producing 397kW at 7800rpm and 560Nm 6500rpm put down to the road via the rear wheels through a seven-speed S tronic transmission. This equates to a lightening 0 to 100km/h spirit of 3.7 seconds for the Coupe and 3.8 seconds for the Spyder.

The all-paw Audi R8 V10 performance quattro, brings the sublime handling characteristics of Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel drive to the high-performance equation as well as greater engine output from the 5.2 litre V10 FSI. Power is up to 449kW and 560Nm, shaving 0.5 seconds off both the Coupe and Spyder’s time for the 0 to 100km/h spirit to 3.2 seconds and 3.3 seconds respectively. 

The Audi R8 V10 performance quattro will be spiced at $395,000* for the Coupe model with the drop-top Spyder at $416,500 when they arrive on Australian shores in the third quarter of the year.

But these high-performance models will not be alone when they arrive, as they form just part of the RS assault. Also bound for Australia is the TT RS, RS 4 Avant, RS 5 range, RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback. In addition to these Audi Sport will add two completely new RS models with the RS Q3 Sportback and the range-topping RS Q8.

It is indeed a great year to be a performance enthusiast Down Under.

Learn more about these exciting models at audi.com.au

(*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)