Meet the RS 3 Sedan

It’s here at last. Well not here in Australia yet, but the eagerly-awaited RS 3 Sedan has been unveiled in all of its glory at the Paris International Motorshow and will join the fire-eating RS 3 Sportback at the top of the Audi A3 range.

Although surrounded by a number of exciting new product from Audi in Paris, the RS 3 Sedan has proved a show stealer, the newest addition to the superb RS range capturing the imagination of all those present (along with its race sibling).

A more muscular incarnation of the A3 Sedan, the new RS 3 Sedan is wider at the front (20mm) with the rear wheels some 14mm wider apart. Guards are more flared to give an unmistakably squat, muscular stance and the rear lip spoiler, twin oval tailpipes and aggressive front end, with standard LED headlights (matrix LED are available as an option) complete the purposeful styling package. Of course there are discreet RS badges, but the overall effect leaves even a casual observer in no doubt as to the car’s potential.

Heart of performance

The powerplant more than lives up to the promise. Producing an enormous 294kW of power and 480Nm of torque from its five-cylinder, 2.5 TFSI powerplant, the RS 3 Sedan demolishes the race from standstill to 100km/h in just 4.1 seconds on the way to its governed top speed of 250km/h – a speed that can be increased to 280km/h on request for those perhaps looking to get in a little track work.

Peak torque is available between 1700 and 5850rpm giving the car an enormous power band that makes for superb performance.

The car’s light-alloy crankcase is 26kg lighter than before and employs a dual injection into the intake manifold and into the combustion chambers, as well as the Audi valvelift system for variable control of the exhaust valves. The result is optimal power development at a reduced consumption level.
Using a seven-speed S tronic seven-speed dual clutch transmission, power is of course relayed to the road surface through all four wheels thanks to quattro permanent all-wheel drive, its electro-hydraulic multi-plate clutch distributing the drive torque variably between the axles. This relates to a driving experience you’d expect from an Audi wearing the coveted RS badge, where the more spirited the driving, the faster and more often the torque will be moved to the rear axle. 

Of course, driving doesn’t have to be on the limit all of the time and the driver has the option of varying the vehicle characteristics through three modes – comfort, auto and dynamic – through the  Audi drive select. The same is true for the optional RS sport suspension plus with adaptive damper control. 

Wheel-selective torque control, an intelligent software feature of the Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC), rounds off the work of the all-wheel drive. In fast cornering it slightly brakes the inside wheels, which are under a reduced load. In this way it can transmit greater lateral power, making handling more fluid and stable. In addition, the RS-specifically tuned ESC comes with a sport mode for controlled drifting. The ESC can also be fully deactivated for especially sporty driving characteristics. 

Progressive steering, four-link rear axle, a tight setup and lowered by 25mm relative to the standard model – the chassis of the RS 3 sedan is the perfect partner for the powerful drive system. From its stable centre position, the RS 3 sedan spontaneously steers into curves and follows through with superior precision. The front brake disks are 370mm with eight-piston calipers, or customers can specify carbon-fibre ceramic disks up front. On the rear, 310mm discs sit within the standard fit 19-inch rims, which are shod in low profile 235/35 tyres.

In the cockpit

Beautifully detailed and finished, the interior of the RS 3 Sedan maintains the highest standards of the RS family and adds the very latest technology, infotainment and driver assistance systems. Black fine Nappa leather sport seats with RS logos on the backrests are standard. Optionally available are more contoured RS sport seats with integrated head restraints. Their covers are also diamond patterned and colour-perforated. 

The centrally located MMI navigation plus with MMI touch includes a touchpad for scrolling, zooming and writing as well as free text search feature. 

Standard is an electrically extending MMI screen with a 7-inch diagonal. The two circular instrument dials are black with red needles and white scales. The centrally positioned driver information system includes a boost pressure indicator, an oil thermometer and a lap timer and of course the fully digital Audi virtual cockpit is available as an option. 

The RS 3 Sedan boasts myriad online services through the LTE model, including Audi connect, navigation with Google Earth and Google Street View. The information is displayed directly in the MMI and operation is by way of the standard-equipped RS multifunction steering wheel, the rotary/push-button control and touchpad or by spoken command. 

Apple Car Play and Android Auto can be accessed in the RS 3 Sedan, while the Audi phone box inductively charges the smartphone according to the Qi standard and connects it to the car antenna via near-field coupling for optimal reception quality. The Bang & Olufsen Sound System produces an excellent sound experience with 705 watts of power and 14 speakers. 

Of course driver assistance systems are cutting-edge, with the full complement of Audi systems available, but this is a car where the driver is going to want to spend as much time as possible on the open road or in twisty mountains passes becoming one with the RS 3 Sedan.

That’s not say that the likes of lane assist, predictive efficiency assistant, park assist and the exit warning system, to name just a few, are not brilliant systems, but the driver of this car is more interested in performance. And that’s where the RS 3 Sedan excels. 

The RS 3 Sedan is destined to add to the tremendous popularity of its Sportback sibling when it arrives in Australia late in 2017. Local specification and pricing will be confirmed closer the arrival date, but be assured that the RS 3 Sedan promises to be a very big hit.