The RS3 will also mark itself out unique territory, only being available as a five-door at launch. Audi refuses to be drawn on whether a three-door is coming, although its positioning as a five-door will keep it clear of the three-door Golf R and Scirocco R.
Its styling is also restrained. While the front-end is aggressive with gaping brake vents picked out with brightwork and a main grille with wide honeycomb mesh, the rest of the RS3 is quite subtle.
Bulging wheelarches cover widened front and rear tracks, but the practical outline of the five-door Sportback A3 is unmistakable and no attempt has been made to spice up the rear end with a diffuser or wing.
To deliver on the promise of its sledgehammer powertrain, the RS3 will employ all-wheel drive, delivered by a Haldex viscous-coupling capable of shunting drive between the front and rear axles to maximise grip.
Grip will be an important part of the RS3 package with 332lb ft of torque on tap, capable of thrusting the RS3 from rest to 62mph in 4.6secs, faster than a BMW M3.
Audi says the RS3’s dual-clutch box is equipped with a launch control programme, although it’s unclear yet if the 4.6sec figure is achieved with that technology.
At 1575kg the RS3 is no lightweight and it tips the scales 60kg heavier than its little brother the S3. The top speed is limited to 155mph, fuel economy at 31mpg and CO2 at 212g/km.
To keep the RS3 on the road, engineers at Quattro GMBH have widened the front and rear tracks compared to the S3, by 42mm at the front and 22mm at the rear.
The chassis is lowered by 25mm and the coil springs and dampers stiffened-up, although specific details of the tune aren’t yet available.
Audi is also talking about “high strength steel” control arms in the front suspension, thought to be a reference to beefed-up forged components better able to cope with higher cornering and braking forces.
Bigger brakes are part of the RS3 package, too. At the front the vented rotors are 370mm and at the rear 310mm. A new sport mode is added to the stability control programme, which Audi says can also be switched off.
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