Enthusiasts have kept their fingers crossed for the upcoming Audi RS3 to feature a five-cylinder engine and it appears that their prayers have been answered.
The all-new Audi RS3 will indeed feature a five-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which is an updated version of the previous RS3’s powertrain.
“There was only ever one answer to the question of bringing back the five-cylinder turbocharged engine. That answer was ‘yes,’” Quattro technical director Stephan Reil told Top Gear. “That engine differentiates us from all of our competitors. And the fan crowd of the five-cylinder is huge. It’s such an emotional powerhouse,” he added.
Modifications on the engine involved making it EU6 compliant, with engineers also changing the pistons, adding new intake and injection systems and working on removing the flow resistance from intake through exhaust. But what matters the most to customers is that it’s more powerful than before.
“The previous car produced 340PS. We now have more power,” Stephan Reil confirmed. While he didn’t disclose how much more power the new five-pot has, after being given a ride in an Audi RS3 prototype Top Gear estimates that it produces more than 360hp.
Besides improving the engine, which will only be available with a seven-speed DSG gearbox, Quattro engineers worked on reducing the RS3’s tendency to understeer and fitted the car with better brakes. Thanks to the MQB platform, the second-generation Audi RS3 is 55 kg (121 lbs) lighter than before, with a better weight distribution – for example, the battery has been moved to the boot.
The fifth-generation Haldex four-wheel drive system features a new rear differential with larger housing and gears as well as new software to cope with the engine’s increased levels of torque.
The Audi RS3 should be unveiled in early 2015 as a five-door model only. However, a four-door RS3 sedan previewed by the A3 Clubsport Quattro Concept is also being considered.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS
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