The four ring brand will go BMW M2 and Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 hunting with a new addition into the high-performance compact segment, the RS3 Sedan.
Despite adopting a different body style than its two main rivals, Ingolstadt’s model is expected to offer more power than the range-topper CLA that is currently rated at 375 HP. CarandDriver reports that the RS3 Sedan will adopt the same engine as the TT RS, meaning a 2.5-liter turbo five-cylinder, which will debut at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show this month.
The output is expected to nudge the 400 HP mark and will be directed to the wheels through Audi’s 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Zero to sixty (96 km/h) acceleration should take 4.0 seconds and top speed will be electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h) or 174 mph (280 km/h), depending on options and market. If the numbers are correct, than it should be a tenth of a second faster to 60 than the CLA 45 AMG and 0.2 seconds faster than the M2, with an extra 19 mph (31 km/h) added to its top speed.
Quoting “a highly reliable source within the company“, C/D states that the Audi RS3 Sedan will debut in the US market by the end of this year, as a 2018 model. At the moment, Audi hasn’t confirmed nor denied this info.
Renderings via TheophilusChin
PHOTO GALLERY
