Want one!

That's it !

Nice car!

Expensive though

Meh, more fragmentation of a label which used to actually mean something.

Want one!

That's it !

+1

Meh, more fragmentation of a label which used to actually mean something.

Why?

historically an Audi badge used to mean something very special, look back to the RS2 - basically as close to a Porsche estate! Built in Zuffenhausen, Rossel Hau like a lot of other great Porsche collaborations, then you've got the Audi RS6, the power that brought to the saloon/estate world nearly a decade ago was staggering, even the RS4s were exclusive and great. Now it's slapped on everything with a big bodykit and a warmed over engine. Nothing special and they've really lost the exclusivity (in my eyes and quite a few people I know) that the older models with the RS badge on them.

I'm admittedly not an expert but 335BHP in something the size of an Octy doesn't seem too bad to me.

A lot of people commenting on the Auto Express review I just read seem to agree with you though.

40 grand...!

historically an Audi badge used to mean something very special, look back to the RS2 - basically as close to a Porsche estate! Built in Zuffenhausen, Rossel Hau like a lot of other great Porsche collaborations, then you've got the Audi RS6, the power that brought to the saloon/estate world nearly a decade ago was staggering, even the RS4s were exclusive and great. Now it's slapped on everything with a big bodykit and a warmed over engine. Nothing special and they've really lost the exclusivity (in my eyes and quite a few people I know) that the older models with the RS badge on them.

sure, the engine in the S3 is essentially the same as the 2.0T in any other VAG car but in what way is the engine in the RS3 warmed over?

sure, the engine in the S3 is essentially the same as the 2.0T in any other VAG car but in what way is the engine in the RS3 warmed over?

The very fact it's the same engine as the rest of the range negates the percieved exclusivity of the RS badge - warmed over is the wrong term to use but it just proves my point about the fragmentation of the RS badge - years ago the engines in them used to be exclusive, low volume highly tuned jobbies. The very fact you can get that lump in a Golf just shows that the RS badge is chucked on cars deservent of an S badge at most.

Not dissing the TFSI or any other VAG car btw (i would love a golf gti or a VRS with a tfsi as a toy).

Personally, I think the RS badge is so diluted now, it was once a very exclusive little club and it was only used on genuinely special cars.

As mentioned before, you had the RS2, then the first incarnation of the mighty RS6 and the RS4 with the phenomenal 414PS 4.2V8.

Now there are so many RS badged models they are becoming the norm, the S-Line models have made things a little worse as it seems that every Audi has massive wheels, a spoiler, LED running lights and a body kit nowadays. The RS cars aren't quite as distinctive as they were 5 years ago.

When we hear of yet ANOTHER Audi RS being released it isn't as much of an event as it used to be, it's almost boring nowadays.

40 grand...!

It should be low 30's really.

The very fact it's the same engine as the rest of the range...

I thought this had a 5cyl lump?

TT-RS Engine IIRC which will be the 5 pot.

340PS from a 2 litre would be rather brave.

Yes, it has the same 5 pot engine as the TT-RS.

I really like the look of the new RS3. :yes:

looks a nice car but expensive imo

Is it sportback only? (5 door)

Is it sportback only? (5 door)

Believe so

TT-RS Engine IIRC which will be the 5 pot.

340PS from a 2 litre would be rather brave.

Hardley, mitsubishi have been doing it for years with only a tiny 2 litre!!!!!!

Looks fairly plain (considering) and 5dr only. Apparently if you want the 3dr, Audi think you should buy the TT - according to press reports (Evo, among others). Think that's a little short sighted. Seeing as the same logic doesn't apply further down the range!

For the money, for this sort of car, my money would be across in Munich, for a 1M Coupe

Steve

Hardley, mitsubishi have been doing it for years with only a tiny 2 litre!!!!!!

That may be the case but will Audi drivers tolerate the ridiculous service intervals found on EVOs? I don't think so. And I won't even start on the turbo lag issues with them.

It's a balance of performance, economy, reliability, longevity and ease of use on a day to day basis.

Fair point the servicing is rediculas. they are no more laggy than any of the other turbo'd cars i've had

The 2.5Tfsi engines in the TTRS and RS3 with just a remap make about 420hp. thats insane.

And as said above they have completely normal servicing schedules and are actually pretty good on fuel as well. You drive an EVO or impreza with similar outputs, they are really laggy, loud, unrefined and have expensive running costs. Plus its only £245 for road tax

I like it, but at £40k without any options, it a tad expensive. But then again base spec A3 sportsback with DSG and 170CR unit is over £23k. Audi's are not cheap.

0-62 on 4.6 seconds and limited to 155......................I say thats abit special!

The 2.5Tfsi engines in the TTRS and RS3 with just a remap make about 420hp. thats insane.

And as said above they have completely normal servicing schedules and are actually pretty good on fuel as well. You drive an EVO or impreza with similar outputs, they are really laggy, loud, unrefined and have expensive running costs. Plus its only £245 for road tax

Evo's are not loud or laggy!!!!! My 6 was a little unrefined, but go drive a X its as civilised as any car can be