The current Audi RS3 debuts in 2021 and goes on sale for the 2022 model year starting at $59,995. Given that the vehicle is so new, it’s odd to see the company developing what appears to be a refresh to the model.
Camouflage wrap is all over the place we’d expect to see on a fresh vehicle in development. It includes the front fascia, fenders, side sills and rear bumper.
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Compared to the existing RS3 (see comparison below), there are major changes to the front fascia. The vertical inlet is now on the outer edge. The other openings are trapezoidal, not the pentagons on today’s cars. The four-ring logo occupies the closer one closer to the hood.
It’s hard to see for sure, but the front fender may have a more angular shape for flares. This car runs on wheels with ten spokes that are split into Vs on the rims. The drilled brake rotor is visible.
At the rear, the faux grille on the rear bumper is missing. Although, the camouflage might be hiding something. Two oval exhaust pipes are still present on the new model.
Our spies are actually unsure about the identity of this vehicle as it seems too early to update the RS3. This is the first time they’ve seen the model, so the company probably won’t be kicking off the update for more than a year or so.
Assuming this is an updated RS3, we also expect at least a few tweaks to the interior.
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The current RS3 uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five engine that produces 401 horsepower (299 kilowatts) and 369 pound-feet (500 newton-meters) of torque. The European model is slightly underpowered by producing 394 hp (294 kW).
A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox sends output to the all-wheel-drive system. The rear axle is Audi branded as a Torque Separator which can deliver up to 100 percent of torque to both wheels as needed.
In the US, the RS3 is available in several package options. The RS Technology package includes a heads-up display, navigation and Bang & Olufsen stereo. The Dynamic Plus package has ceramic front brake rotors, a carbon engine cover and a 180 mph speed limiter. As the name implies, the Carbon package contains vehicles with lightweight materials.
For a deeper dive into the new RS3, check out this episode of Rambling About Cars:
