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2015 Audi RS3 Thrashed Prototype on the Nurburgring

This might look like just another Audi S3 hatchback, powered by a 2-liter, 300 horsepower turbo engine. But make no mistake, this is a prototype for the next RS3… in disguise.
2015 Audi RS3 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
Now, in case you forgot why that's hot stuff to watch, think back to the old RS3. It was experimental work from Audi's quattro GmbH division, who in 2010 launched the first German hyper hatch, before there were any A 45 AMG or BMW M Performance models. They only built about 5,000 units and although they understeered, fans loved them.

The second RS3 will launch in early 2015, based on the new MQB platform. As you can hear for yourselves, they've kept the mighty 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine under the bonnet, putting out a glorious soundtrack.

The video below was taken during an Audi test session on June 24th at the Nurburgring. The test driver is pushing the car hard and even though the platform is FWD-based, the tail kicks out wide in the corners.

So far, Audi has only approved development of the RS3 Sportback, but a sedan version is possible, appealing to US consumers. We believe the specs of the 2.5 TFSI will sit at 367 PS, 7 PS more than the A 45 AMG and 41 PS more than the BMW M235i.

Thanks to a seven-speed S tronic gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive, this unassuming family car will be able to power itself from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds or less, only stopping once it hits the electronic limiter at 155 mph (250 km/h).

The same new engine could also go into a new TT RS, although we haven't seen any development testing yet. Just as the TTS has 10 more PS than the S3, so too could the hardcore coupe get extra power. It will definitely be interesting to see the most powerful quattro compacts ever take on their German rivals in the early part of 2015.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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