The 2022 Audi RS3 is one of the most compelling cars in its segment and at its heart is a five-cylinder engine. According to a new report, the time to snatch one up is soon because it’s headed out the door at the end of this generation. In its place will be an all-electric, all-wheel drive platform that will rocket from 0-60 in less than four seconds.
This report comes to us from the folks over at Autocar who claim that sources at Audi itself have confirmed the switch to full electrification for the next generation of the A3. That car is scheduled to arrive in the UK in 2027 and its more sporting variants, the S3 and RS3, will also go electric.
Front-wheel drive is also going to be a thing of the past as base models in the family will get rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive will also be available and it goes without saying that it will be a standard feature on the RS3. The report indicates that Audi will use a twin motor setup and some form of torque vectoring as well.
Read More: Audi RS3 Vs. Mercedes-AMG A45 S In 400 HP AWD Compact Showdown
The current 2022 RS3 develops 401 hp (299 kW) and 359 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. Paired with Quattro AWD and a trick rear differential it zooms from 0-60 in as little as 3.6 seconds. Its EV replacement should be good for a similar if not better time.
The A3 family will be built atop VW Group’s Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) which is designed to facilitate a 800V electric architecture. Thus, it should be capable of adding around 80 miles worth of range in just 10 minutes of charge time. That’s considerably faster than what’s capable with a 400V system found on vehicles like the Volkswagen ID.4.
The report also says that the new A3 will be a little bigger than the outgoing ICE model and that both sedan and hatchback variants are likely. Are you excited to see what an electrified RS3 can do or would you prefer the charismatic five-cylinder of the current model?
