2015 Audi RS 3 Euro Spec Left Front

Audi RS 3 Is Finally Coming To America

It’s coming, it’s finally coming to America! Why am I so excited? Well, the heading of the article should answer this question easily, but if you haven’t, then you will be happy to know that the long-awaited Audi RS 3 is officially coming to America. Some of you may ask “so what?” , and I am here to give you reasons why you should care for this car’s arrival on our shores, so lets get started, shall we?

First Impression

Any vehicle with the vaunted RS badge from Audi is bound to become an instant collectible among the RS enthusiasts worldwide. Based on the images provided by Audi UK, the new 2015 Audi RS 3 Sportback (Audi speak for hatchback, you know, the Germans have this skill of making even the most boring body style really attractive and interesting) will definitely follow the tradition established by its big brothers and predecessors.

When the RS 3 goes on sale in Europe later this year, it will initially offered only as a five-door hatchback and later it will be joined by a sedan version, just like the A 3 and S 3 have done to date.

When the RS 3 lands on our shore sometime in 2016, it will only be offered as a sedan primarily because we strongly dislike hatchbacks, especially luxurious and high-performance hatchbacks.

To be honest, I really don’t care about the body style. The thing that I am really looking forward to seeing and experiencing in the new Audi RS 3 is its beautiful and powerful engine.

2015 Audi RS 3 Euro Spec Left Side
2015 Audi RS 3 Euro Spec Left Side

Performance

If you have owned or driven the previous generation Audi TT RS, then you will be really familiar with the engine under the hood of the new Audi RS 3. The turbocharged 2.5 L in-line five cylinder engine in the Audi RS 3 has been tuned to produce 362 horsepower and 343 lb.ft. of torque.

All of this power is routed to all four wheels via Audi’s legendary Quattro system and a seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. Combined, this drivetrain is powerful enough to propel this hatchback to 62 mph from 0 in a quick 4.3 seconds. However, as of this writing, there is no word from Audi officials if the new Audi RS 3 will be available with a manual transmission in the States or not.

2015 Audi RS 3 Euro Spec Interior
2015 Audi RS 3 Euro Spec Interior

What’s New

For the first time in the Audi A 3’s history, the RS 3 is coming Stateside. When it arrives on our shores sometime in 2016, it will be an all-new model in Audi of America’s portfolio.

Unlike the A 3 and S 3 models, the RS 3 will be powered by a turbocharged 2.5 L in-line five cylinder engine instead of the 1.8 L or 2.0 L turbocharged four cylinder engines found in the other less powerful models.

To differentiate itself from its less expensive cousins, the RS 3 will come standard with more aggressive bumpers front and back, flared fenders, extended side skirts, built-in spoiler, large trademark Audi RS oval exhaust tips, and a diffuser between the two tips.

Inside, the Audi RS 3 shares the basic layout with the A 3 and the S 3. However, the RS 3 gets more aggressively bolstered front seats, a marginally smaller in diameter flat-bottom steering wheel, aluminum trimmed gear shifter and paddles, as well as aluminum trimmed sport pedals. Aside from these minor variations, the rest of the interior should feel very familiar to anyone who owns the new Audi A 3 or S 3.

2015 Audi RS 3 Euro Spec Left Rear
2015 Audi RS 3 Euro Spec Left Rear

Availability

Audi has yet to launch the RS 3 Sportback in Europe as of this writing. At the moment, I am not sure when the RS 3 will come to our shores because I have not seen a RS 3 sedan prototype roaming anywhere and my guess is it will take some time before I or anyone else spots one. Since Audi of America really wants to bring the RS 3 to America, expect to see a concept version of the RS 3 sedan sometime later this year either in Frankfurt or Los Angeles Auto Show.

With that being said, expect the production version of the Audi RS 3 sedan to arrive at your local dealership in late 2016 as a 2017 model if everything else goes according to the plan.

Source: Audi UK and Audi USA

Images: Audi UK

  1. Specs are quite good for a small car i heard it sounds and I don’t like it. It sounds terrible.

  2. We saw the concept version of the RS3 sedan, look up ‘A3 Clubsport Concept Quattro’ aka RS3.

  3. I sat in an S3 at the Denver Auto Show last night, played with all the electronics, the stereo, and enjoyed the soundproofing my WRX doesn’t have, I am buying an RS3 when it gets here.

  4. Sedan only ? Again ? No S4 wagon,no S3 wagon, no S6 and RS6 wagon…. I’m not going to buy Audi S or RS sedan PERIOD ! I’m a long time Audi fan and believe this car is meant to be a wagon….If I must buy a sedan i will stick with the Subaru STI for value, reliability and Cool factor.

    1. Couldn’t agree with you more Simeon, I think the only reason sedans even still exists are because most of the American population doesn’t like the look or stigma of the wagon or hatchback. I can’t wait for that trend to change.

    2. I have an A3-3.2 sportback and would like to put less miles on it. The RS3-Sportback is the answer. The sedan is not nearly as practical as the Sportback. It is also a very handsome sleeper. Sedan is boring, and I qualify as an older person……….come on Audi USA

    3. Here here!

      Who do we need to flood with email/tweets/pins/whatever to get an RS sportback?

  5. What is this BS about hatch backs or sport wagons – people who will buy the RS3 will buy the sport wagon – the sedan is old hat for old people – who maybe will buy a Buick!

    1. JW, you are so correct. Sportback is a great looking car and with that power………..hang on………I qualify as an old person and wouldn’t have a sedan……boring!!!!!!!!!

    2. Hold your horses homes, old fellas like me 60+ been waiting for that sedan for 2+yrs so no Buick_no sir, not for this homee! I had a turbo civic hatch (gsr) before and it was cool…don’t get me wrong but its time for the RS3

  6. I have an A3-3.2 sportback and would like to put less miles on it. The RS3-Sportback is the answer. The sedan is not nearly as practical as the Sportback. It is also a very handsome sleeper

  7. Current owner of a 2015 S3 here. Tuned my car produces 340whp and 320 ft lbs. Disappointing is the notion of this 5cyl only slightly topping that and about $20K more. If they could come up with a 375hp 360ft lb version for under 60K it would be worth it, hatchback or not. Personally I’d rather keep my S3 and $600 tune than spend $70K on the RS3 or S3 Plus, whatever they’re calling these days.

  8. Please, Plese, Please!!! Audi, get your act together and bring the RS3 Sportback to the States!!!

  9. The potential for the RS3 is well over 400 whp when tuned. No hardware required. The RS3 will be a car for Enthusiasts more so than budget conscious hp junkies.

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